Match the site to the records
Before signing for a property in Egypt, compare its address, plan, area and boundaries with title or lease documents and the seller’s or landlord’s authority. An appealing viewing cannot resolve a mismatch in the paperwork. List what must be clarified and by whom before money changes hands. For an apartment or commercial unit, check that the floor, unit number and measured area in the site plan match the documents used for the proposed transfer. Keep copies of the documents reviewed and record any difference rather than treating a broker’s description as proof of title.
Check use and planned works
Record the actual intended use and any changes or fit-out. Compare existing permissions, building records and contract limits with current Egyptian requirements for the site. An approval for a different activity, unit or previous occupier does not answer the new operator’s question. A planned fit-out may depend on landlord consent, building rules or approvals for the intended use. List each work item, the person seeking approval and whether approval must arrive before the tenant pays for design or construction.
Tie obligations to milestones
Map deposit, installments, taxes or charges and documents due at each stage. Ask who handles defects, access, utilities and delivery delays. Keep a dated condition record at handover. A payment schedule should reflect what can be verified, rather than just dates copied from an older deal. Set a document-delivery checklist beside the payment schedule: authority to sign, the agreed plans, evidence for outstanding charges, and the handover record. If a condition is not satisfied, the contract should say what happens to the deposit and how long either side has to fix the problem.
Protect the later transition
A lease may need clear rules for improvements, renewal and security return; a sale needs a traceable transfer path and closure of conditions. Have an Egyptian specialist review the actual records and current process before committing. Avoid relying on a broad statement that the property is “ready” without specifying ready for what. For a lease, document who owns or removes fit-out at the end and how the condition of the unit is measured. For a sale, distinguish signing from completion of the applicable registration steps and confirm when possession and risk pass under the actual agreement.
Questions to settle before signing
- Which exact unit or land parcel is involved, and do the plans and records identify it consistently?
- Who is authorized to sign, and what evidence has been checked for that authority?
- What use and works are intended, and which consents or records are still missing?
- What documents and verified conditions must precede each payment and handover?
For a related service, see our real estate and property practice. For a development site, the construction and infrastructure practice may also be relevant.