A favourable aggregate score cannot compensate for a defect that prevents lawful operation, funding or informed approval. Apply the following gates before signing an unconditional commitment or releasing material funds.
| Gate | What must be established | Who should own resolution | If unresolved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliable operating baseline | Material revenue and cost assumptions reconcile to inspectable records | Buyer finance lead, with accounting support as needed | Do not price unsupported earnings as established cash flow |
| Funding and liquidity | Sources cover acquisition, works, transition and downside cash needs at the time each is due | Investment lead and lender | Resize, reprice or obtain documented capital before commitment |
| Physical condition and lawful use | Findings and required approvals support the intended hotel operation | Technical lead and relevant counsel | Investigate, condition or stop the affected workstream |
| Contracts and transfer rights | Operator, brand, lease and other obligations are understood and transferable or resolvable | Hospitality counsel | Model the cure/exit cost and obtain necessary consents |
| Insurability | Property-specific terms and effective cover can satisfy the transaction and financing requirements | Owner and insurance adviser | Resolve exclusions, deductibles and funding exposure |
| Authority and execution | Decision-maker, contracting entity, signatories and transition responsibilities are clear | Owner sponsor and counsel | Do not rely on informal approval or an unnamed delivery team |
For an existing hotel, a good guest-facing appearance is not an accessibility clearance. DOJ guidance addresses both alterations and barrier removal in existing facilities; a qualified property assessment must determine the relevant scope. DOJ — ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business.