When you buy commercial property, the technical due diligence looks at the roof, the facade and the installations. The digital infrastructure and the smart systems often fall through the cracks. Yet they increasingly determine how well a building lets, and which investments are coming. These are the six risks you want to know about in advance.
In short:
- You do not see digital shortcomings during a viewing, but they do cost money later.
- Look at the connection, the cabling, the building systems, security, energy data and agreements.
- A digital due diligence maps this before the purchase, with an indication of the costs.
1. A weak or single internet connection
Does the building have fibre into the meter cupboard? And is there a second connection via a different route? Without a good connection a building is hard to let. Installing a new connection can take a long time and cost a lot.
2. Outdated or unknown cabling
You cannot see the cables in the walls and ceilings. Yet they determine how fast the network is. Old cabling often cannot handle the speeds of today and tomorrow. Replacing it means building work in a property that may already be let.
3. Outdated building systems
The building management system controls heating, cooling and ventilation. Is it old, or are updates no longer available? Then it will need to be replaced within a few years. Also mind the law: in the Netherlands, commercial buildings with installations above 290 kW must have a building automation system since 1 January 2026. From 1 January 2030 this applies from 70 kW. Read more about mandatory building automation.
4. Networks that are not securely separated
Are the building systems, the cameras and the tenants' network all on the same network? Then one weak spot is enough to affect everything. Tenants increasingly ask how this is arranged. A separated setup is called network segmentation.
5. No reliable energy data
Investors and banks increasingly ask for energy data per building. Are there no smart meters or submeters? Or does the data not come together? Then you first need to invest before you can report. Read which building data investors and banks ask for.
6. Unclear agreements and no documentation
Who owns the network equipment: the landlord or the tenant? Who does the maintenance? Are there drawings of the network? If this is not written down, discussions arise as soon as something goes wrong or a tenant leaves.
What does it cost if you miss it?
Each risk can lead to extra investments after the purchase: new cabling, a new building management system, meters or security. Sometimes also to vacancy, when tenants choose a building that is digitally in better shape. If you know in advance, you can take it into account in the price or in the agreements with the seller.
How do you map it?
With a digital due diligence we look at the digital infrastructure and the smart systems of the building before the purchase. You receive:
- a picture of the digital infrastructure, on the same scale as the IT-Label levels;
- the condition of the building systems and the energy data;
- the risks and an indication of the investments for the coming years;
- whether the data is available for ESG and CSRD reporting.
That can be for one building or for a whole portfolio. More for investors.
Frequently asked questions
What is a digital due diligence?
An investigation before the purchase of a building into the digital infrastructure, the building systems and the energy data. You then know which risks and investments are coming.
Is this not already part of the technical due diligence?
Usually not, or only to a limited extent. The technical due diligence mainly focuses on the shell and the installations. The network and the smart systems often get little attention.
How fast can a digital due diligence be done?
That depends on the number of buildings. We agree a timeline in advance that suits your transaction.
Can I have a smaller check done first?
Yes. With a pre-inspection you quickly get an indication of the IT-Label and a top five of measures.
About to buy a building?
Request a proposal. You receive a fixed price in advance and a timeline that suits your transaction.
