A good viewing produces a record you can compare with other homes. Separate what you observe from what you are told, and identify the points that need independent verification.
Before the appointment
Ask for the precise address, floor and apartment identification, and confirm which rooms or shared spaces you can inspect. Request permission before taking photographs. Prepare a short list of your essential needs so attractive finishes do not distract you from a practical mismatch.
Bring the listing details and check them against the home you are shown. If an area figure is provided, ask what it measures and how it was established. Different descriptions can include different spaces; do not compare numbers until you understand what each one represents.
Inside the apartment
- Daylight: note the viewing time and which rooms receive light. Ask about different times of day rather than assuming the same conditions year-round.
- Noise: listen with windows closed and, if permitted, open. Check bedrooms separately.
- Ventilation and moisture: record visible staining, smells or condensation and request an explanation. A visual visit cannot diagnose their cause.
- Layout: measure key spaces with permission. Check whether your furniture and everyday routines fit.
- Heating and cooling: identify the systems and ask who maintains them. Have condition or installation questions assessed by a qualified person.
- Connectivity: verify service availability for the specific address with providers if working from home matters to you.
The building and shared areas
Look at the entrance, stairs, lift and access to the street. Ask which facilities are shared and whether there are rules affecting their use. If parking is advertised, clarify the arrangement and ask for the relevant documentation; do not assume a space is included simply because one is shown.
Ask for the current recurring building charges, what they cover and whether any proposed works could create additional costs. Request written information from the appropriate source. Keep the amount, period and date together so you can tell whether a figure is current.
A viewing is not a structural assessment. Fresh paint, a recent renovation or a building’s appearance does not establish structural condition. If safety or construction questions affect your decision, obtain an assessment from an appropriately qualified independent professional.
Questions to take to independent advisers
Before making a commitment, ask a qualified adviser which ownership, building and transaction documents should be reviewed for that particular property and your circumstances. This checklist does not determine legal eligibility or replace a legal or technical review.
Useful questions include: Who is authorised to offer the property? Do the documents describe the exact unit being shown? Which advertised features are documented? Are there restrictions, obligations or unresolved matters that affect the proposed transaction? Request clear answers and retain the supporting material.
After the visit: build an evidence log
| Item | Evidence status | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight and noise | Observed at a particular time | Visit again if the time was unrepresentative |
| Recurring charges | Reported or documented | Request a dated breakdown |
| Building condition | Unverified by a viewing | Arrange specialist assessment where needed |
| Property and transaction details | Require documentary review | Ask an independent qualified adviser |
Write your notes immediately while the details are clear. Send unresolved questions in one message and request written responses. Compare the property with your original must-haves, not only with the last home you visited.
Continue with our neighbourhood guide and commute checklist. For available property options, send a property enquiry.