Who this article is for
Buyers and buyer’s agents
Lot owners can follow a similar flow but may see slightly different options
Before you start
You’ll need:
A Cohabit account (Buyer, Buyer’s Agent or Owner)
The building address or strata plan (SP) number
Important:
The search only returns strata buildings – not houses.
You can only search by building address or strata plan number (SP).
If you enter a house address or something without an SP, it won’t appear in results.
Step 1 – Log in and find your building
Log in to the Cohabit web app, mobile browser, or iOS app.
Use either:
The Search bar, or
The My buildings tab.
Enter either:
The building address, or
The strata plan (SP) number.
Select the correct building from the results to open its Building profile.
(Screenshot: search bar with an SP number/address typed in and matching strata building results)
(Screenshot: Building profile header with building name/address visible)
If your building doesn’t appear:
Check that it’s a strata building (not a standalone house).
Try searching by exact address or SP number.
Step 2 – Open the Health Score section and send your request
On the Building profile, find the Building Health Score section.
If a score already exists, you’ll see it displayed.
If no score exists yet, you’ll see Request health score.
Click Request health score.
You’ll be asked to confirm whether you’re a Buyer or an Owner.
(Screenshot: Building profile with “Request health score” button highlighted)
(Screenshot: dialog asking “Are you a Buyer or an Owner?” with options)
Select Buyer to continue with the buyer flow (owners will see a slightly different path described in the Owner Guide).
Step 3 – Choose how to provide sale details (Buyer)
Once you select Buyer, you’ll see three options for how to tell us which lot you’re interested in:
Upload the front page of the contract
Enter the contact details manually
Link to the sales listing
You can choose whichever option is easiest, but for the fastest results, we recommend uploading the front page of the contract if you can.
(Screenshot: screen showing three tiles/options with short descriptions under each)
Option 1 – Upload the front page of the contract (fastest)
Choose this if you have a Contract of Sale (or your agent/solicitor has provided one).
You’ll be prompted to:
Enter the apartment number (unit/lot you’re interested in).
Upload the front page of the contract as a file (e.g. PDF).
(Screenshot: form with “Apartment number” field and “Upload contract front page” button, file attached)
This option is recommended because it:
Clearly identifies the exact lot and sale you’re asking about
Helps Cohabit and the expert process your request more accurately and quickly
Option 2 – Enter the contact details manually
Choose this if you don’t have the contract handy, but you have vendor/sale details.
You’ll be asked to:
Enter the apartment number (lot/unit).
Provide the vendor’s contact details, such as:
Vendor’s name
Email address
Phone number
(Screenshot: form with fields for Apartment number, Vendor name, Vendor email, Vendor phone)
These details help us confirm the sale and locate the right information for the building and lot.
Option 3 – Link to the sales listing
Choose this if the property is advertised online and you have the listing URL.
You’ll be prompted to:
Paste the URL of the online listing (e.g. real estate portal link).
Enter the apartment number (if requested / not obvious from the listing).
(Screenshot: simple form with “Listing URL” field and optional “Apartment number” field)
This helps us match the listing to the correct building and lot in Cohabit.
Step 4 – (Optional) Decide if you also want an Insight Report
After you’ve provided the sale details, you can choose whether you want:
Just the Building Health Score (free)
We’ll generate a free Building Health Score for the building based on available data.
You can always decide to purchase a Building Insight Report later.
Building Health Score + Building Insight Report (paid)
You’ll still get the free Building Health Score, and
You’ll also request a paid Building Insight Report, prepared by a strata expert for deeper analysis of risks, financials, maintenance and compliance.
(Screenshot: simple screen with two options: “Health score only” and “Health score + Insight Report”)
If you’re just starting your research, Health score only is often enough for a first look.
If you’re closer to making a decision, it’s worth considering the Building Insight Report at the same time.
What happens after you submit your request
Once you’ve:
Provided sale details (Step 3), and
Chosen Health score only or Health score + Building Insight Report (Step 4),
Cohabit will:
Use the information you provided to confirm the building and lot
Gather and assess the available strata records and data
Generate your Building Health Score
If you selected it, prepare your Building Insight Report with a strata expert
You’ll receive a notification in Cohabit (and possibly via email) when your Building Health Score is ready and, if purchased, when your Building Insight Report is available.
To view them, open the Building profile again:
(Screenshot: Building profile showing a newly generated Building Health Score card)
(Screenshot: Reports tab showing a Building Insight Report ready to open)
For help interpreting these:
See Understanding your Building Health Score
See What is a Building Report and how do I read one?
FAQs
Q: Do I have to purchase an Insight Report to get a health score?
No. You can select Health score only if you just want the free Building Health Score.
Q: Can I purchase an Insight Report later?
Yes. You can request a Building Insight Report later from the building once you’ve seen the health score.
Q: Why do you recommend uploading the front page of the contract?
It’s the fastest way to request a letter of authority from the conveyancer, which speeds up your request.
Q: Can I request a health score for a house?
No. Cohabit currently supports strata buildings only (properties with a strata plan/SP). Houses won’t appear in search.
Q: How does Cohabit get the records for my Building Health Score?
Cohabit can only collect strata records after we have formal authority to inspect them. For buyers, that usually means your request allows us to work with your conveyancer/solicitor to obtain a letter of authority for the building and lot you’re buying.
Once we have that authority, strata managers and strata experts provide documents like financials, minutes, insurance and compliance certificates. Your Building Health Score is based on the records available at the time of the most recent inspection, so it may not reflect changes that happened after that date.