The "Full Knowledge" Inspection: Why It Matters Before Buying Industrial Property

Many sale contracts in Egypt include a sentence like: "The buyer has inspected the property in a full inspection that negates ignorance" (معاينة نافية للجهالة). It looks like a formality, but it has real legal consequences for you as a buyer.

What does the law say?

Article 419 of the Egyptian Civil Code provides that the buyer must have sufficient knowledge of the property sold, and that knowledge is considered sufficient if the contract describes the property and its essential characteristics in a way that makes it identifiable. The article adds that if the contract states that the buyer knows the property, the buyer loses the right to seek annulment of the sale on the grounds of not knowing it, unless they prove fraud by the seller.

What does that mean in practice?

Once you sign a contract stating that you inspected the property fully, it becomes difficult to later seek annulment because you did not know the building’s condition, area or specifications — unless you can prove the seller deceived you or deliberately concealed something.

So the inspection is not a formality. It is your only chance before signing to confirm that what you are buying matches the documents.

What should you check during the inspection?

  • Area and boundaries: match the land and buildings on site with the contract and site plan.
  • Buildings: match what exists with the building permit, with no unlicensed additions.
  • Structural condition: frame, roofs, floors, and any cracks or leaks.
  • Utilities: actual electrical capacity, water, gas and industrial sewage.
  • Occupancy: is the property vacant, or is there a tenant, equipment or third-party possession?
  • Access and roads: ease of truck access and maneuvering space.

How Gamaloon helps

The "Inspected & Legally Reviewed" badge on a listing means the Gamaloon team inspected the property on site in a full-knowledge inspection and the legal team reviewed its documents. For a detailed engineering assessment of the structure, you can order "Inspect Before You Decide" (Gamaloon Inspect).

This article is for general awareness and is not a substitute for advice from a specialized lawyer on your case.