Is anything built illegally?

Unapproved works are the most widespread hidden issue in Portuguese residential property. In older urban apartment stock, enclosed terraces are nearly universal. In rural properties, pools, outbuildings, and boundary walls without consent are routine. In apartment blocks, works on individual units sometimes extend into common areas without the condominium's agreement.

Before DL 10/2024, buyers had more scope to argue that liability for undisclosed works remained with the seller. Under the current framework, that defence weakens substantially once the sale completes. HomeOS's Unapproved Works Detector is the fastest way to identify the gap before you make an offer.

The most common unapproved works in Portugal

• Enclosed terraces (varandas fechadas) — The most frequent issue in urban apartments. A terrace enclosed with glass or aluminium increases usable floor area but requires a licence amendment. Almost always in the Caderneta, rarely in the Licença.
• Converted garages — Ground-floor garages converted to habitable rooms. Changes the use class as well as the floor area, requiring a full Licença de Utilização amendment.
• Additional storeys or mezzanines — In older houses, loft conversions to habitable space added after the original licence was issued.
• Pools and outbuildings (rural properties) — Frequently added without planning consent. In RAN or REN zones, extremely difficult to legalise retroactively.
• Extensions beyond licensed footprint — A ground-floor extension that increases the building's footprint beyond the approved plans.

The answers below describe what this tool will do when launched. It is not available yet.

Frequently asked questions