Start with the journey
Visit from the places you travel to regularly. Record the route, access restrictions and where a visitor can park. A short map distance does not tell you how the journey feels at the times you need to make it.
Confirm the exact property and unit with the agent before leaving. Ask whether the person meeting you can answer questions about fees and arrange a second inspection if needed.
Look beyond the presentation
Open doors and windows, look at ventilation and natural light, and check whether your furniture will fit through entrances and into the rooms. Ask permission before testing taps, switches or supplied appliances.
Look for stains, cracks, damaged fittings and signs of recent repairs. Record questions rather than trying to diagnose a technical problem yourself. Ask who can explain the cause and whether a repair will be completed before handover.
Ask how the building works
Ask how water is supplied, how electricity is metered, who maintains any backup power and how shared costs are divided. Find out who receives maintenance requests and how urgent problems are reported.
Check the location of refuse storage, stairs and any shared facilities. Ask about access arrangements, building rules and what is included with the property. A feature in a photograph may belong to the wider estate rather than the individual unit.
Leave with a written record
With permission, take photographs and write down the questions that remain unanswered. Request a full breakdown of costs and the proposed terms. Keep those separate from your observations so you can compare several properties fairly.
An inspection helps you assess suitability; it does not establish a person's authority to offer the property. Arrange independent professional checks before making a commitment.
Written by Property Hunt. This guide provides general information; individual properties and agreements need their own checks.