Viewing a property

When you find a property you are interested in you will need to arrange a viewing, its worthwhile making a note beforehand of things you want to know about, the list below may help.

Personal Safety

Where possible ensure that you do not view properties alone and make sure that you think about your personal safety.  If this is not possible ensure that someone is aware of the address of the property you are viewing, the time you have arranged to view and the time you can be expected home. Also try to get someone to call your mobile during the viewing to check that you are ok.

Checklist

General Area

• Area – what is it like, is there any unsociable behaviour?
• Schools and nurseries - where are they, do they have room, how are they rated (view ofsted reports)?
• Doctors and dentists - where are they and will they accept you onto their list?
• Transport - are there good transport links available?
• Local shops - is there a local post office or shop?
• Parking – it is best to view the parking at different times of day to see how much parking there is when everyone is home.
• Garage - do they rent a garage and would you be able to take it over?

The Property

• Security – are all the door locks working properly, do they have an alarm and if there is a door entry system do they have the security tags for the entry system.
• TV - Is there a TV aerial or Satellite Dish and are they leaving it?
• Alterations – have the tenants made any alterations and are all the fittings, i.e. kitchen units, toilet, bath and basins as supplied or have they changed any?
• Flooding – has the property suffered from flooding or water damage?
• Fittings - what fittings such as carpets, curtains, etc. are they leaving behind?
• Condition - typically councils are not responsible for decoration, if you have to redecorate how much will this cost?

And finally but most importantly can you imagine yourself living there and do you think you will be happy?