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Whether you are a first-time buyer or an existing homeowner, buying a new house is an exciting time. Viewing a house is the first time you will step inside a property that could potentially be your new home. Therefore, to ensure it is the right property, you need to make sure you ask the right questions. 

In this article we provide an extremely useful house viewing checklist and set of questions to ask when viewing a house in the UK. When you know what to ask, you can go to the house viewing informed and with confidence. 

House Viewing Checklist for Buyers 

Finding a property that’s entirely perfect can be very difficult, but finding one that’s perfect for you is very possible. By creating a checklist along the lines of the below you will be able to work out whether you’re willing to put in an offer on a property or not. 

Outside of the Property 

  • Is the structure of the building in good condition? 
  • Do all external doors securely lock and are windows double glazed? 
  • Is there a burglar alarm? 
  • Does it have off-road or allocated parking? 

Inside the Building 

  • Are there sufficient smoke alarms? 
  • Have gas and electrical items been tested and certified as safe recently? 
  • Is the property big enough for your needs? 
  • Is there enough room for storage? 
  • Are there any signs of damp or mould? 

Kitchen 

  • Are all cupboards in good condition? 
  • Are all of the built-in kitchen appliances (such as oven and extractor fan) working? 
  • Are any other appliances within the kitchen (kitchen counters, refrigerator etc) included in the sale? 

Bathroom(s) 

  • How long does it take for hot water to come through? 
  • How strong is the water pressure in the shower? 
  • Is the silicon sealant water tight? 
  • Is there adequate ventilation to prevent damp/mould? 

Bedroom(s) 

  • Is the size of each room big enough for the purpose it needs to fulfil? 
  • Are any fixtures or fittings (for example curtain rails or carpets) included? 
  • Are the walls and carpets in good condition? 

Garden 

  • How much work or maintenance is required? 
  • Is it overlooked by neighbours? 
  • What direction does the garden face? (South-facing gets the most sun) 

Legal items 

  • What is the council tax band? 
  • Is the property leasehold? 
  • If so, what are the costs? 
  • What is the EPC rating?  

Questions to Ask When Viewing a House 

Now let’s go into some further detail about the questions to ask when viewing the property and the types of things you need to be thinking about.  

How Long Has the House Been up for Sale? 

Try not to read too much into the answer.  

If the property has recently come to the market you may expect to be in more direct competition with lots of people seeing it for the first time.  

If a property has been up for sale for some time it may indicate that other buyers have chosen other properties instead of it but this may of course mean it is now the best one remaining available. Note also that any property with one off features may be ideal for you but may have been a reason for others to look elsewhere.  

Whether on for a while or brand new to the market you should always view a property with your own requirements in mind. The key question being- is it the best one for you? 

How Much Interest Is There in the Property? 

Gauging the current interest in the property can be vital information. If you find the right property you always need to move quickly to ensure you don’t miss out but this is particularly important if there is lots of competition for the property. Remember the seller will choose the purchaser they believe is most likely to buy the property based on all the terms of the offer, including timeframes, and while price is very important their confidence in you and your momentum to purchase the property is also critical to ensure you don’t miss out on your dream property. 

Why Are You Selling the House? 

Whilst this might be a more personal question and you may not get a direct answer, it is still worth asking the question. Truthfully, the answer to this question is likely to arise even if you don’t ask it directly.  

Perhaps the seller is simply looking at downsizing or upsizing, or maybe they want to move nearer to family or friends. If the seller is looking to move because of something negative relating to the property, they will be obliged to tell you during the conveyancing process but it is always best to find out early wherever possible so you can decide if it is an issue for you or if it is one you can overcome.  

Has Any Work Been Done on the House? 

If there have been any major renovations undertaken on the property, you ought to ask to see planning permissions and builders’ receipts and guarantees. Planning permissions are particularly important if the property has been extended because you must have planning permission to build an extension. 

Is There a Property Chain? 

As a potential buyer, you need to be sure of when the owners will be vacating the property. Property chains can delay the sale of a house. If they are caught in a property chain or if they haven’t found a place to buy, the sale of the house may take longer. 

What is the Area Like? 

For the majority of buyers, the property’s location is very important. If you are not too familiar with the area, it is definitely worth asking the seller some questions about the local area. Whilst you can still do your own research, first-hand knowledge is very useful indeed. Asking these sorts of questions is even more important if you have children.  

Parking, transport links, schools, local pubs, road noise and community activities are just some of the things you may wish to ask about and knowing more about the area will often give you confidence that the location you are choosing is the right one for you. 

Does the House Have Damp or Mould Issues? 

You should ask if the property has any damp, mildew or mould issues. If the house is prone to damp problems they can often be managed or fixed but they can cause concern if you don’t know how the current owner has dealt with them.  

What Exactly Is Included in the Sale? 

With a house sale, you need to be absolutely sure about what the sale will include. Sometimes you may be surprised to discover what the sale does or doesn’t include. Important things to consider are fixtures and fittings throughout the property, a garden shed or greenhouse, satellite dishes and any items in an attic.  

What Is the Internet Connection and Access Like? 

The internet is a necessary and ubiquitous part of modern-day life. Fast broadband speeds are something which most people want, and it might be a necessity if you spend a lot of your time working from home. A quick internet search will tell you what speeds you can expect now and if there are planned improvements in the area that you could look forward to if you do move forward with the purchase 

How Much Are the Bills Likely to Be? 

Find out the cost of council tax and ask the seller how much they typically spend on their utility bills per month. Getting an estimate of how much your bills are likely to be can help you to start thinking about your budget and expenses. 

What is the Property’s Energy Performance Rating? 

Knowing what the house’s energy efficiency is can give you an idea of what your energy costs might be. This information can be found on the property’s Energy Performance Certificate, which will also give suggested improvements that you can consider over time to improve the efficiency. By law, sellers must provide the property’s Energy Performance Certificate to potential buyers.  

Have the Electric and Gas Appliances Been Maintained Well?

It is also a good idea to ask how old the boiler is and whether it has had annual services. Electrical certificates will also give you confidence in the wiring of the property and the maintenance of items that are going to remain.  

What Are the Neighbours Like? 

If you are moving to a property, it is only natural to want to know what the neighbours are like. Of course, no one can predict if you will be best friends with them but knowing if there is an active community feel to the area, or people keep themselves to themselves, will give you a clue as to whether the local area is one that will suit you for the longer term.   

In terms of issues, you should have confidence that by law owners are legally obliged to tell you if they have had any disputes with neighbours.  

Is the Property a Leasehold or Freehold? 

The listing should clearly display whether the property is leasehold or freehold and it is imperative that you find out what costs are associated, particularly if the property is leasehold, as these vary considerably from property to property.  

If the property is a leasehold, ask how long is left on the leasehold. Bear in mind that short leases will be a consideration for any mortgage provider you go with and if the lease needs extending there will be costs and potential delays associated with doing so.  

Is the Property the Best One for You?

With these questions and a property viewing checklist in your mind, you will have everything you need to view a property with confidence. Asking the right kinds of questions is crucial to come to an understanding of whether the property is what you thought it was and whether it is the one for you. Knowing the answers to questions that are important to you will give you the confidence you need to act swiftly and effectively when you find the right property and help ensure you don’t miss out to another buyer. 

Chancellors estate agents provide expert support and guidance to buyers, helping them to make their moves a reality. With a wealth of experience and an unrivalled level of expertise, we are truly passionate about the work we do. We are committed to delivering an exceptional level of service, tailored to your bespoke needs and requirements. 

For more information about all the services we provide to buyers, please do not hesitate to contact us