Choosing a new residence, whether as a rented home or a purchased one, is a stressful task, especially at a time when there is a great deal of competition in the market. While there are certainly going to be a number of considerations on your mind when arranging to select and move into a new property, it is important that excitement and stress do not encourage you to overlook the most basic safety checks.

Such inspections, those that involve examining a property closely, are essential for future comfort and the reduction of future costs. Overlooking, for example, a spot of water damage can lead to a surprise leak and the need for renovation at a later date, or can be indicative of an issue that reduces the home’s value as a whole. To help you avoid such mistakes, we’re sharing the seven things you should check when viewing a property.

Cracked Surfaces

Even the smallest fracture on the surface of a wall or ceiling could potentially be the indicator of a significant issue. While many surveyors will be able to recognise any signs of damaged foundations or sinking walls, it is encouraged that, during property inspections, potential residents check for signs of a fissure.

Exposed Wires

While it is important to recognise exposed wires for their own potential risk, they might also indicate a low-quality electrical installation in general, suggesting that a greater inspection of electrical capacity and infrastructure is necessary.

Garden Quality

Outdoor spaces, especially those with decadent dining areas and luxurious log cabins, are immediately appealing assets to a home. However, if a garden is not properly scrutinised, it can lead to a number of high maintenance issues. Be sure to check for potential flooding risks, as well as the presence of any invasive weeds, such as Japanese knotweed.

Water Pressure

It may seem silly to turn on each tap but identifying any example of low water pressure is incredibly useful as the cost to repair such poor performance is high. Low water pressure can also lead to other issues with heating, especially within homes that rely upon radiators too. So, be sure to try every tap you see!

Private Perspectives

Glancing out of the property’s windows is important, though not entirely to see what type of view you might be getting. Doing so will actually help you to see if there are any vantage points that help others see into your home. This is important because, while you may find yourself with pleasant neighbours, the perspective they have of your home might make you uncomfortable.

Counting Tiles

Roof inspections aren’t always safe or straightforward to perform by oneself but even a general glance at the quality and number of tiles can help to recognise any early signs of roof damage, any of which could be a potential source of leaks.

Time Of Day

Often, when viewing a property, you will see it during working hours. This means that fewer residents will be home and much of the morning and evening traffic will be lost. This perspective is somewhat limiting and you should visit a property outside of working hours too, so as to ensure that its appeal is consistent throughout the day.