Who this article is for
Buyers and buyer’s agents who want a deeper understanding of a specific strata building
Anyone considering purchasing a Cohabit Expert Report on a building
What is a Building Insight Report?
A Cohabit Expert Report (also referred to as a Building Insight Report) is a paid report prepared by a Cohabit-vetted strata expert.
It helps you understand:
Reviews the strata records they’re authorised to access for that building
Highlights key risks, issues and patterns across areas like Financials, Meetings, Works & Maintenance, Defects and Issues
Explains what they find in clear, practical terms for a buyer
Each Building Insight Report costs $49 including GST.
When you purchase an Expert Report, you also:
Get a direct message thread with the assigned expert in your Messages section
Receive notifications on your Cohabit page and on mobile whenever the expert messages you
(Screenshot: report summary card on the Building profile: report name, date, “Prepared by [Expert name]”)
Before you start
You’ll need:
A Cohabit account as a Buyer or Buyer’s agent
The building address or strata plan (SP) number
Basic sale details (which lot/unit you’re interested in)
A payment method (e.g. card, PayID)
The main way to purchase an Expert Report (from the building profile)
This is the easiest and most common way to buy a report.
Step 1 – Open the building
Log in to Cohabit.
Click My Buildings or use Search.
Find the building by address or strata plan (SP) number.
Click the building to open its Building Profile.
(Screenshot: My Buildings with a building selected)
(Screenshot: Building Profile / Overview tab)
Step 2 – Go to the Expert Report tab
On the building page, click the Expert Report tab.
If no report has been purchased yet, you’ll see an option such as “Purchase Expert Report” or “Order Expert Report”.
(Screenshot: Expert Report tab with a “Purchase Expert Report” button)
Step 3 – Choose or confirm your expert
When you start the purchase flow, you’ll be asked who should prepare the report. You may see options like:
Use previous expert – if a strata expert has provided a report on this building before
Choose an expert – if you want to pick from available experts (where that’s supported)
Select the option that suits you:
Using the previous expert can be helpful if they already know this building.
Choosing your own expert is useful if you have a preferred person to work with.
(Screenshot: screen showing “Previous expert” vs “Choose expert” options)
Step 4 – Confirm your details and lot information
Next, you’ll be asked to confirm:
The building
The lot/unit you’re interested in (where applicable)
Your buyer details (and/or your representative’s details, e.g. buyer’s agent or conveyancer)
Make sure these details are correct. They help the expert:
Focus on the right lot
Obtain the right authority and records from the strata manager
Step 5 – Review the price and pay
Confirm the price – $49 including GST.
Enter your payment details.
Submit your order.
Once payment is successful:
Your Expert Report request is created
A strata expert is assigned (based on your selection)
A new message thread with that expert is created in your Messages section
You’ll see an on-screen confirmation and receive a confirmation email.
(Screenshot: confirmation screen showing report ordered successfully)
Optional: Add an Expert Report while requesting a Health Score
You can also choose to purchase an Expert Report while you’re requesting a Building Health Score.
During the Health Score request flow you may see an option like:
“Also order an Expert Report for this building”
If you select this:
Your Health Score request and Expert Report request are created together
An expert is assigned, and you’ll get the same Messages thread and notifications described above
This is useful if you already know you’ll want both.
Where to see updates and when your report is ready
After you’ve ordered an Expert Report:
You’ll receive email updates as the report moves through each stage (e.g. expert assigned, waiting on strata records, report being prepared, report ready).
You can open the Expert Report tab on the building to see the current status, such as:
“Expert Report in progress”
“Waiting on strata records”
Or a button/link to view your Expert Report once it’s ready.
Messaging your expert after you purchase
As soon as you’ve purchased an Expert Report:
A conversation with your assigned expert appears in the Messages section.
You can open Messages to ask questions about the building or the contents of your report.
When the expert replies:
You’ll see new messages in Messages
You’ll get notifications in Cohabit (on your main page)
You’ll also get notifications on your mobile when using Cohabit there
For more detail on this, see How to chat with your expert.
What your Expert Report is (and isn’t)
Your Expert Report:
Is based on strata records the expert has been authorised to inspect at that time
Gives you a structured view of key areas like Financials, Compliance, Meetings, Works & Maintenance, Defects and Issues
Helps you understand the building more clearly as a buyer
It is not:
Legal, financial or tax advice
A guarantee that there are no issues beyond what appears in the records
A replacement for your conveyancer/solicitor, broker or other professional advisers
Use it alongside your own advice to make a decision you’re comfortable with.