Who this article is for
Buyers, owners, agents and advisors who want to understand how Cohabit Experts produce the reports that support building health and property decisions.
What this article covers
How Experts approach document review
The methodology behind report writing
How Experts analyse risks and strengths
How they ensure clarity and consistency
What “expert judgment” means in practice
How Cohabit Experts prepare an Insight Report
Cohabit Experts follow a repeatable, structured process designed to turn complex building information into clear, evidence-based insights.
This ensures every report—regardless of the building—is:
Consistent
Neutral
Actionable
Easy to understand
1. Experts begin by reviewing all available documents
Reports are based on the documents provided for a building, which may include:
Strata records
Compliance certificates
Insurance details
Financial statements
Meeting minutes
Valuations and forecasts
Maintenance or defect information
Other supporting material
Experts assess the reliability, completeness and recency of the information before beginning any analysis.
2. They identify key themes across the documents
Experts look for patterns, such as:
Repeated issues (e.g., water ingress, fire compliance problems)
Gaps in the building’s funding or planning
Historical disputes or governance problems
Inconsistencies in financial or compliance reporting
Risk factors linked to building condition or management
This forms the backbone of the report’s risk assessment.
3. They evaluate the building’s risk areas
Experts focus on core areas that influence a building’s long-term health:
✔ Compliance
Are mandatory documents current? Are there recurring failures?
✔ Insurance
Does coverage align with building needs? Are risk factors mentioned?
✔ Financial stability
Are levies, funds and forecasts realistic and healthy?
✔ Building condition
Are there defects, recurring issues or major works planned?
✔ Governance & behaviour
Do meeting minutes show transparency, disputes or proactive management?
✔ Data completeness
Is anything missing that could impact interpretation?
Experts weigh these factors to form an overall view of building health.
4. They interpret the Cohabit Health Score
Experts don’t calculate the Health Score—they explain it.
They provide:
Context behind the number
Reasons the score is high or low
Limitations based on missing information
How their findings align with or differ from the score
This helps you understand not just what the score is, but why.
5. They translate complex findings into everyday language
A core part of an Expert’s role is making technical information easy to understand.
They do this by:
Avoiding jargon
Explaining risks plainly
Prioritising what matters most
Highlighting what’s uncertain or incomplete
Keeping the report structured and clear
Even if you’ve never read a strata document before, the insights should feel accessible.
6. They provide recommendations you can act on
Experts finish every report with practical guidance, which may include:
Questions to ask your strata manager
Additional documents to request
Items to watch post-purchase
Areas where you may want specialist advice
Suggestions to clarify compliance or funding concerns
These recommendations empower you to take confident next steps.
7. Every report is reviewed for clarity and consistency
Before a report reaches you, it is reviewed to ensure:
Accuracy
Neutrality
Clear prioritisation
Consistent structure
Plain-language explanations
This ensures every Cohabit Insight Report meets a high standard.
What Experts don’t do when writing reports
To maintain objectivity, Experts do not:
Perform legal or financial analysis
Physically inspect buildings (unless a separate service applies)
Advocate for either the buyer or the seller
Adjust or change the building’s Health Score
Make assumptions without evidence
Their job is to interpret and explain—not speculate.
FAQs
Do Experts see my personal information?
Experts only see building-related documents relevant to preparing the report.
Can Experts include additional documents if I provide them?
If the documents relate to the building and are relevant, they will be considered.
Do Experts ever update a report?
If new documents become available, you may request a refreshed assessment depending on the service level.
Are Expert Reports customised?
Yes. While the structure is consistent, each report is tailored to the building’s specific documents and conditions.