{"id":6864,"date":"2025-08-01T23:55:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T22:55:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/a-home-buyers-checklist-for-viewing-a-property\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T23:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T22:55:34","slug":"a-home-buyers-checklist-for-viewing-a-property","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/a-home-buyers-checklist-for-viewing-a-property\/","title":{"rendered":"A home-buyers\u2019 checklist for viewing a property\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking of moving soon, chances are you\u2019re gearing up to start viewing properties. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the time at a viewing can go quickly, and there can be a long list of things to consider, or ask the estate agent about, while you\u2019re there. And let\u2019s face it \u2013 we\u2019d all rather be imagining having a Sunday morning brew at the dining table, or thinking about what colour to paint the kitchen.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So here\u2019s a list of questions and helpful pointers to take along with you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"while-youre-at-a-property-viewing-you-might-want-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">While you\u2019re at a property viewing, you might want to\u2026&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check if there are any signs of damp&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for any signs of subsidence, such as large cracks, or uneven flooring&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check which way the property faces, and how it\u2019ll catch the light at different times of day, especially if it has a balcony or a garden&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask how the heating system works, how old it is, and whether its safety checks are up to date&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask to see the fuse box so you can get an idea of the age of the electrics, and again ask whether safety checks are up to date&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask how much interest there\u2019s been in the property so far&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask what the current owner likes about the area, and why they\u2019ve decided to move&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you\u2019re viewing a home in Scotland, you can ask to check the home report&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"outside-of-your-booked-viewing-you-might-find-it-useful-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Outside of your booked viewing, you might find it useful to\u2026&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit the local area at different times of day to get a feel for the community and transport links&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speak to neighbours\/other locals about what it\u2019s like to live in the area&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-viewing-a-leasehold-property-you-might-want-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you\u2019re viewing a leasehold property, you might want to\u2026&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check whether the property looks well maintained, and if you do get to speak to any neighbours, ask whether they\u2019re happy with the upkeep of the property&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check whether there are any restrictions on what you can\/can\u2019t do to the property (things like renovations, for example)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-viewing-a-new-build-property-you-might-want-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you\u2019re viewing a new-build property, you might want to\u2026&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ask whether there are any incentives or buying schemes in place you can make use of&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the property specification and which fixtures and fittings are included&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check whether you can choose your preferred layout and d\u00e9cor&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find out what buildings are planned for nearby sites&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask what <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/energy-efficiency\/epc-energy-performance-certificate\/\">EPC rating<\/a> is expected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"also-remember-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Also remember to&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Measure spaces, to make sure your furniture will fit&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about how you might want to use each of the rooms in the property&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check how much storage space there is, and think about whether it meets your needs&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for a second viewing if you have decided to proceed with buying, so you can measure up for blinds and pre-order furniture to fit the space&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"things-to-check-before-you-schedule-a-viewing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things to check before you schedule a viewing&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check if it\u2019s leasehold and how long the lease is&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask about any service charges associated with the property&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask which council tax band the property is in, so you can work out your monthly payments&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask what the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/energy-efficiency\/epc-energy-performance-certificate\/\">EPC rating<\/a> of the property is, to give you an idea how energy-efficient the home is&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And remember, with a <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/myrightmove.html\">My Rightmove<\/a><\/u> account, you can save your favourite homes in property lists, and set up property alerts for instant access to homes that match what you\u2019re looking for. You can also check <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/house-prices.html\">sold prices<\/a><\/u> to see how much homes have sold for, and <u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/property-for-sale\/map.html\">draw a search<\/a><\/u> to define your chosen area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking of moving soon, chances are you\u2019re gearing up to start viewing properties. &nbsp; But the time at a viewing can go quickly, and there can be a long list of things to consider, or ask the estate agent about, while you\u2019re there. And let\u2019s face it \u2013 we\u2019d all rather be imagining [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6864","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"author_profile":[]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A home-buyers\u2019 checklist for viewing a property\u00a0 | Rightmove Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/a-home-buyers-checklist-for-viewing-a-property\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A home-buyers\u2019 checklist for viewing a property\u00a0 | Rightmove Guides\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re thinking of moving soon, chances are you\u2019re gearing up to start viewing properties. &nbsp; But the time at a viewing can go quickly, and there can be a long list of things to consider, or ask the estate agent about, while you\u2019re there. 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