Property transactions due diligence for construction lawyers

When a client is proposing to purchase a property (or properties) or to purchase a company whose assets include properties, due diligence will need to be carried out to ensure that the properties are sound and that 'good title' can be obtained. Where the property in question contains a building which was built less than 12 years before and/or where a substantial amount of construction work has been carried out at the property within the past 12 years, it is advisable that full due diligence of the construction documentation is carried out.

What are the main reasons for carrying out construction due diligence?

•
to establish what construction contracts

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Construction News

UKGBC launches consultation on draft Nature-Positive Framework for built environment

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a consultation seeking industry feedback on its draft Nature-Positive Framework Definition for the built environment sector. The consultation aims to establish consensus on the meaning of nature-positivity in this context and to identify specific principles and actions organisations can implement to support the industry in addressing biodiversity loss and improving the natural environment. To inform the development of the Framework, UKGBC established an Industry Task Group and is conducting stakeholder meetings, expert interviews, and workshops, which will run until June 2025. The consultation closes on 12 June 2025.

ONS announces no construction output growth in Q1 2025

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data showing that total construction output remained flat in Q1 2025, with new work increasing by 0.9% while repair and maintenance decreased by 1.2%. In March 2025, construction output is estimated to have increased by 0.5%, attributed to increases in both new work (0.6%) and repair and maintenance (0.4%). At the sectoral level, five out of the nine sectors recorded growth in March 2025, with the main contributors being private housing (2.3%) and infrastructure new work (2.5%). Total construction new orders increased by 26.6% in Q1 2025, primarily due to increases in infrastructure new work and private industrial new work.

Construction weekly highlights—15 May 2025

This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a case in which the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) considered whether to enforce an adjudicator’s decision in favour of an insolvent claimant (Midas v Harmsworth Pension Funds Trustees), and the launch of a survey by the Cabinet Office on stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 regime.

DESNZ announces Great British Energy Bill passed through Parliament

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that the Great British Energy (GBE) Bill has passed through Parliament, with legislative consent from all three devolved governments. The Bill establishes GBE, a new publicly owned energy company backed by £8.3bn in government funding over the current parliamentary term. GBE will invest in clean energy projects across the UK, including: £200m for new rooftop solar power and renewable energy schemes for schools, hospitals, and communities; £4m for Scottish community energy projects; and £3m for local renewable projects in Wales. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, is expected to set out GBE’s strategic priorities, including the technologies it will focus on and how public benefit will be factored into its investment decisions.