House viewing checklist: 25 questions to ask
Viewings go fast. You get a short slot, a very polite estate agent and a nagging feeling you've forgotten something. It's easy to fall for the kitchen island and miss the damp patch behind the sofa. This checklist helps you do the opposite. Use it to ask the right questions, spot problems early and decide if a home is worth an offer. And remember, estate agents work for the seller. Your job is to check.
Your quick tips
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Arrive early. Walk the street first. How far are the shops, the park and the school? Is it quiet?
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Use your nose as well as your eyes.A musty smell is hard to hide. So is an air freshener working overtime.
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Open the cupboards.Sellers expect it. Look under sinks, inside wardrobes and up in the loft if you can.
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Take photos and video.It's easy to get carried away. A second pair of eyes, ideally an honest one, helps.
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Bring someone with you. It’s easy to get carried away and miss important things when viewing a house or to get caught up in what you might do to it. Bringing a trusted partner, especially an honest one, could help you with your decision.
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Go for a second viewing.Try a different day and a different time. A quiet street at 11am can look very different at 5.30pm.
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Questions to ask when viewing a house
You could ask hundreds. These 25 cover what matters most. Save them on your phone and tick them off as you go.
About the sale
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How long has the house been on the market? More than 3 months can mean the price is too high or something is putting buyers off. It can also give you room to negotiate.
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Why are the sellers moving? Agents don't have to tell you, but you might pick up a clue. A seller in a hurry may take a lower offer. Problems with the neighbours or the home are a red flag.
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Has anyone made an offer? The agent can usually tell you if there have been offers, but not how much.
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Are the sellers in a chain? Chains can slow things down. If you're chain-free, like most first-time buyers, say so. It can strengthen your offer.
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What's included in the price? Check appliances, curtains, fittings, garden sheds and parking spaces. Tell your conveyancer about anything agreed out loud.
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Is there any room on the price? Agents act for the sellers, so don't expect a bottom line. But you can ask how flexible they are, and check what similar homes nearby have sold for on the Land Registry.
About the property
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How old is the house? Older homes have charm but often cost more to maintain. Age also affects what you'll pay for home insurance, so it's worth knowing how old your house is and how it was built.
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How old is the boiler? Ask when it was last serviced and if there's paperwork. A boiler near the end of its life is a bill waiting to happen.
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Has there ever been damp, mould or leaks? Fresh paint on one wall can hide rising damp. Check ceilings for stains and corners for black spots.
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Has any work been done? Ask for the paperwork. For extensions and big changes, you want planning permission and building regulations sign-off. Ask for guarantees on things like windows and damp treatment.
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When were the roof and windows last replaced? Loose tiles, sagging gutters and tired window frames all cost money to put right.
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Has the property ever flooded? Ask the sellers and the agent, then check the risk yourself. We cover how in the insurance section below.
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Has there been any subsidence or movement? Look for cracks in the walls that are wide, stepped or growing. Ask about trees close to the house too.
About the legal bits
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Is it freehold or leasehold? Freehold means you own the building and the land. Leasehold means you own it for a set number of years, and you usually pay ground rent and service charges.
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If it's leasehold, how long is left on the lease? A short lease can cost a lot to extend and can put buyers and lenders off. Ask about ground rent and service charges too.
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Is it listed or in a conservation area? Either can limit what you can change, and repairs can cost more.
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Who looks after the boundaries, and is there shared access? Check who's responsible for each fence and wall, because which side of the fence is yours isn't always obvious. Ask if neighbours have a right to cross your land.
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Has there been any dispute with the neighbours? Sellers should declare formal complaints and disputes on their property information form, so ask early.
About the area and the bills
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What are the neighbours like? Listen for noise through the walls and ask if there's ever been trouble.
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How much are the bills? Ask what the sellers pay for energy and water. You can look up the council tax band yourself.
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What's the energy rating? The energy performance certificate shows how efficient the home is, and a poor rating usually means higher bills. You can find the certificate on GOV.UK
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What are the broadband and phone signal like? Test your phone in a few rooms and ask which broadband the sellers use. You can check coverage on Ofcom's checker.
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Where will you park? Check for permits, charges and how busy the street gets in the evening.
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Are there plans nearby? New homes, roadworks or a big development can change an area. Agents may not know, so search your local council's planning website.
What to look for when viewing a house
Here's what to check, room by room.
| Where | What to check | What it could mean |
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Outside and roof
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Missing or slipped tiles, a sagging roof line, blocked gutters and damp patches on walls
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Repairs and leaks
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Walls and ceilings
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Cracks, stains, bubbling paint and a musty smell
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Damp, leaks or movement
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Windows and doors
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Open and close every one. Look for rot, condensation between panes and broken seals
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Replacement costs and draughts
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Kitchen and bathroom
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Run the taps, flush the toilets, check water pressure and look under sinks
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Plumbing problems
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Heating
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Boiler age, whether radiators heat evenly and any servicing records
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A big bill if it fails
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Electrics
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Count the sockets and look at the fuse box. An old-looking one can mean rewiring
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Costly electrical work
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Loft and cupboards
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Open them. Look for damp, insulation and signs of pests
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Hidden problems
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Garden and boundaries
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Fences, the shed, drains and big trees close to the walls. Which way does the garden face?
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Upkeep and subsidence risk
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Look past the decor, too. The layout might not work today, but could you add an extension or change the layout? Work like that can add value, but it costs money and time. Factor it into your budget.
Don't panic about every flaw. Every home has some. What matters is what it'll cost and whether the price reflects it.
What to do after a viewing
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Write it down straight away. Note what you loved, what worried you and what you still need to ask.
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Sleep on it. A home that felt perfect in the moment can look different the next morning.
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Go back for a second viewing. Bring your list and check the things that bothered you. Try a different day and time, because a sunny afternoon can flatter a home.
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Know your budget before you offer. When you're ready, here's how to make an offer on a house.
Mortgages can be confusing, especially with rates changing so much. Our broker partner Mojo offers free expert advice to help you on your mortgage journey.
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