You may have bought property
before or you may be new to it all. The most important things when buying
property is that you know as much about the property as possible to avoid
buying a mistake. You can do your research online, but nothing beats finding
out the answers to your questions in person. Here are some important things we
think you should look into when buying a home.
Inside each room
Do the light switches work?
What's the décor 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?
Are they in good condition?
Do they have power?
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 facias (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?
Are there working burglar and fire
alarms?
What broadband and TV connections
are currently set up?
What's the mobile phone coverage
like?
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?
Outside
Is there a garage, off-road or
on-road parking?
If on-road, will you need a
permit?
Parking is often a crucial factor,
but can often be overlooked by buyers.
Is there much scope for
extending/renovating/adding value?
Paperwork
What is the property's energy
performance certificate (EPC) rating?
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.
Where are the local shops and
amenities?
Is surrounding land poised to be
built on in the coming years?
Are there any ongoing planning
applications you should be aware of?
Taken from an article published by WHICH updated January
2023.