Hajji Yasin Bakaluba of Bakaluba Properties says finding an apartment that meets your demands can be overwhelming. First, you must know what you want before making any deposits.

Ensure to inspect the property and pay attention to every detail, like the number of bedrooms and their size, bathrooms, and kitchen. Also, is the balcony facing the sun or an opposite wall? If you have pets, find out if they are allowed in the complex.

Samuel Bayo, a quantitative surveyor, adds that some private developers cut corners to maximise profits. Do your due diligence through an expert. They will help you ask all relevant questions and ascertain if the various tests were done before and after construction. Also, ensure the property has a good defect liability period where faults are fixed at the developer’s expense. 

Location and amenities

Gladys Sebaggala, a retired teacher who bought and lived in a condominium most of her life, says owning an apartment close to the city centre is good because of proximity to workplaces, children’s schools, markets, or hospitals. Also, most are in places where the state of the roads is good. Some places are cheap but inaccessible due to poor roads and heavy traffic. Also, find out if the apartment comes with amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, supermarket, green spaces, a school or hospital in the neighbourhood.

The closer the amenities, the better you save on time and transport costs. Parking is also important, especially if you have a car. But also, remember that in condominium settings, one’s ownership stops at their doorstep. Compounds, parking spaces, and stairs are communally owned. The owner on the ground floor cannot claim sole ownership of the compound. 

Take your time, consider your budget

“Do not allow a broker to rush you into making a deposit,” Bakaluba cautions. Inspect the property thoroughly. Inquire from the neighbours about issues like noise pollution and security. You can also hire an engineer to inspect the property and give you a report or supervise the various construction stages to ascertain the quality of materials used.

Also, find out how easy it is to get your title and what happens to ownership in the event of death. It is safer to buy an apartment from a reliable source, like an institution. Affordability is also vital. Go through the listings to see what you can actually afford. “Look at your budget in relation to the property you are buying. Very cheap things end up being so expensive,” Bakaluba says,  

Check regulations and permission

In some areas, noise pollution is strictly forbidden. If you enjoy wild parties, your neighbours might sue you. Also, in some communities, no one is allowed to set up any form of business, hawk items, pin posters announcing anything, or open up a kiosk. Littering incurs heavy fines as well. In the same way, renovations are restricted. As much as it’s your apartment, you have no right whatsoever to add anything to that property. You cannot change its design or even paint a different colour inside or outside. All renovations are done with permission from the board of governors. 

Avoid being duped

Alozius Gonza, the President of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda (ISU) and executive director at GMT Consults Ltd., says the condominium law tasks the developer to give a defects liability period. They are supposed to repair faults before the expiration of this period and work on structural integrity and the certificate of occupancy. This covers issues of poor workmanship and shoddy installations. He advises those duped to seek legal advice.