What to ask and look for when viewing a property
When viewing a property for the first time, it’s crucial to look beyond the obvious and ask key questions.
It’s best to go prepared and know what you’re looking for. Whether it be triple-glazed windows or water pressure, to parking availability and the size of the garden, you want to know the ins and outs of the property.
Nowhere will be perfect on all fronts, but getting answers – either by checking for yourself or asking the estate agent – should help you feel more confident about whether you want to put in an offer.
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Download our house viewing checklist
Use our downloadable checklist on your viewings or keep reading for our key questions to ask on your visit.
There is a file available for download. (pdf — 43 KB). This file is available for download at .
Video: what to look for at a house viewing
Watch our short video to find out the most important things to check when viewing a property, such as local schools, traffic and noise.
What should I check when viewing a house?
Inside each room
- Do the light switches work?
- What’s the decor like, both style and condition-wise?
- Is the flooring in good condition?
- Is there a good level of natural light?
- Are there any signs of damp/mould/condensation? Even if you can’t see any, can you smell it?
- Are there any exposed wires?
- If there are cracks in the walls/ceiling, are any big enough to put the edge of a 10p in?
- How many power sockets are there and are they conveniently located?
- Is there much storage?
- Are any fireplaces functional and do chimneys work?
- Are you very overlooked by neighbouring properties?
Windows and doors
- Do they open and close easily?
- Are the windows single/double/triple glazed?
- Are the frames in good condition?
- Do the locks work and are there keys?
Bathroom/plumbing
- Do the taps work?
- How long does it take for hot water to come through?
- How strong is the water pressure in the shower?
- Is there a bath?
- Is there a shaver socket?
- Is there a window? If not, does the extractor fan work?
Garden
- How much work/maintenance is required?
- How overlooked is it?
- What direction does it face? (South-facing gets the most sun).
- Are any roots from large trees going to cause structural problems?
- Is there a clear and visible divide between the garden and neighbours’?
- Is there a shed or garage?
Exterior brickwork
- What are the general condition and age like?
- Are there any cracks?
- If the wall is rendered (covered with a coat of plaster), what is its condition?
Roof
- Are there any missing/cracked tiles?
- Are the chimneys straight?
- What state are the drains and gutters in –are they clean, new, moving the water correctly if it’s raining?
- Do the fascias (wooden section under roof) look OK?
- How old is the current roof? Will it need replacing soon, or does it dip at any points?
General
- What is the heating system? Electric or gas? Are there radiators or storage heaters installed? Where is the boiler? If it’s in a bedroom, is it noisy? How old is it and what’s its service history?
- Is there a garage, off-road or on-road parking? If on-road, will you need a permit? Parking is a often a crucial factor, but can often be overlooked by buyers.
- Are there working burglar and fire alarms?
- What broadband and TV connections are currently set up?
- What’s the mobile phone coverage like?
- Where is the boiler (and if it’s in a bedroom, is it noisy?)? How old is it and what’s its service history?
- Is there much scope for extending/renovating/adding value?
- Is there a loft? If so, how easy is it to access and might there be scope to convert it in the future?
- When was the consumer unit/fuse box last checked, and how old is it?
- Is it in a conservation area or a listed building? This might affect whether you can make changes.
- What council tax band is the property in?
Paperwork
- What is the property’s energy performance certificate (EPC) rating?
- If you’re buying in Scotland, check the home report.
- Can you see planning permission and sign-off documents for any work that’s been done?
Local area
- What’s the area like at rush hour, when the pubs close, at weekends and on weekdays? If you live near a rat-run or school, this could hamper your work commute in the mornings.
- Public transport links.
- Test the commute/school run during rush hour.
- Local shops and amenities.
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Is surrounding land poised to be built on in the coming years? Are there any ongoing planning applications you should be aware of?
Check out our guide to finding the best places to live for more tips.
If you’re viewing a flat…
- Is it leasehold or freehold?
- If leasehold, how many years are left on the lease?
- How much is the service charge?
- What condition are the communal areas in?
- Is there any outdoor space and if so is it shared?
- What services, eg drainage, are shared?
- How much noise do you hear from the neighbours?
- Is there a residents’ committee?
- Will you need to contribute to a sinking fund?
Find out more in our guide to leasehold properties.
Tips for viewing a property
1. Take your time
Make sure you spend a good chunk of time viewing a house so you can really get a feel for the place.
2. Look at the structure of the building
Make sure you walk around the outside of the house to check the exterior. Look for damp and hairline cracks in the walls, missing or loose tiles on the roof and broken guttering. If you find signs of a problem, ask questions to find out what the cause is and whether it will be fixed.
If you go on to make an offer and it gets accepted, you should always have an independent house survey done so an expert can conduct more thorough checks.
3. Look and smell carefully
The seller doesn’t have to tell you about problems – in fact, they may even try to hide them. Common cover-ups include painting over damp and hiding wall cracks or floor problems with furniture or rugs.
So keep an eye open for strategically placed furniture and don’t be afraid to inspect.
Damp can give off a musty whiff even if you don’t see physical signs, so be on your guard for unusual smells, including air freshener.
4. View the property more than once
Even if you’re buying in a fast-moving market, it’s best to go and see the property more than once if possible.
The more times you view, the more likely you are to spot potential problems.
We’d recommend viewing the property two to three times, at different times of day, to find out how the light, traffic and surrounding noises change. You might just discover that the quiet, idyllic street you saw at 11am is a busy commuter route at 6pm.
5. Confirm what land is included with the property
If there’s any uncertainty over who owns a garden or parking space, make sure you find out the answer and get it confirmed in writing before committing to buy the property.
6. What is included in the sale?
Ask the seller what items will be included in the sale.
Some furniture or white goods (fridge or washing machine, for example) may be left behind for you to keep – and could save you thousands.
The seller may be willing to let you have them as they could be downsizing and won’t be able to take the items with them.
7. Try to take someone with you
Rather than going alone, it’s better to take someone you trust along with you. They can act as a second pair of eyes and ears, and share their opinion on what they make of the property.
8. Have a professional survey done
Mortgage lenders will request that you have a ‘valuation survey’ carried out, but this is different from a house survey as it doesn’t look at the condition of the property. A valuation survey is for the lender’s benefit and confirms the property’s approximate value, but you may not get to see the results, even if you’re paying for it.
You should always have your own independent survey carried out in order to uncover any hidden issues with the house you’re buying – take a look at our guide to the types of house survey to find out more.
If you’re buying property in Scotland, ask the selling agent for the home report, which includes a survey.
9. Find out how energy efficient the home is
Every property being sold must have an energy performance certificate (EPC). It details information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs, as well as recommendations about how to reduce usage and save money.
The property will also be issued with a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). An EPC is valid for 10 years.
Ask if the windows are double or triple glazed, and ask the seller whether the rooms are quick to heat.
10. Take plenty of photos and videos
Ask permission to see if you’re allowed to take photos or videos of the property as you walk around. You’ll likely be viewing a number of properties, so it’s good to have a visual reminder to look back on and scrutinise.
Your own photos will also give a more accurate reflection of the property than those used by the estate agency.
11. Investigate the neighbourhood
Spend at least half an hour walking around the general area to see how close the things that matter to you, such as cafés, schools, transport links or local shops, are. Also revisit at rush hour and when the pubs close, and on weekends and weekdays.
Take time carrying out online searches of the area as well. See if there are any crime stories on local news websites or if the community is well liked on local social media pages.
Our guide on finding the best places to live has a host of extra tips and an area comparison tool packed with useful info about the local authority you’re looking at.
12. Try to keep your emotions at bay
It’s not always easy, but try to see the property simply as a building that needs inspecting. Don’t get too attached early on or your heart might rule your head and cause you to overlook any problems.
At the same time, if you do spot faults, you shouldn’t necessarily be put off buying – you could use what you’ve discovered to negotiate on the price, depending on how big the issue is and how much it will cost to fix.
Our guide on making an offer on a property explains how to decide what to offer.
13. Talk to the estate agent
If the property you’re viewing is a serious contender, talk to the estate agent to find out more about the property and why it’s being sold.
Unlike the seller, the estate agent is legally obliged to tell you if they know of any serious problems with the property. You can also ask them how long the property has been on the market for and whether anyone’s made an offer.
For a full list of questions to ask the estate agent, visit our guide to making an offer on a property.
14. Don’t be afraid to keep asking questions
At the end of the day, sellers and estate agents are trying to get you to buy a property. Therefore, they may not be forthcoming in telling you all the ins and outs.
So questions are crucial in getting the full picture on what you’re buying. Don’t let the estate agents dictate the viewing, make sure you keep them on their toes and find out every nugget of information, with email or telephone follow ups.
Virtual house viewings
While it is best to visit the property in person, a virtual tour could be beneficial if you live far away and want to get a feeling of the property beforehand.
Live video viewings rather than pre-recorded tours are the better option as they give you the chance to ask questions, take your time and scrutinise the property.
Viewing a show home
If you’re considering buying a property off-plan, ie before it’s been built, you’ll have to make your decision based on viewing a show home.
You’ll need to be particularly savvy here, as the property will have been professionally designed and dressed to make it as enticing as possible.
Open days
Sometimes, an estate agent or seller will hold an open day for potential buyers, rather than arranging ad-hoc viewings. There are pros and cons to this approach, both for buyers and sellers.
If you’re a buyer, you’ll probably encounter other potential buyers when looking around, which might make you feel pressured. Try not to let it affect your decision; it’s still important to inspect the property fully and not to be influenced by other parties when deciding how much the property is worth and whether it’s right for you.
On the flip side, the shorter time period can mean offers are made and then accepted more quickly, which could be beneficial for everyone involved.
- Find out more: making an offer on a house or flat
