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Questions to ask when viewing a house
Home viewings can be overwhelming, but we’ll help you know what questions to ask when viewing a house to help your house hunting run smoothly.
Trying to find your dream home? There’s a lot to keep track of. When you’re viewing a home in the UK, you probably have a thousand little things you’re trying to look for, trying to remember, trying to take photos of — it can get a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of questions to ask when viewing a house. That way, you can have them all in one place. Now, let’s start with some basic questions you should ask when viewing a house, then we’ll get into more detailed points you might want to cover. Here are the top questions you should ask when viewing a house: How long has the house been on the market? Has the price been reduced? What is the seller’s position? Why are they selling? How long have they lived here? Does the home need any structural work? Are there signs of damp or mould? How old is the property? How old is the boiler? What is the council tax band? How long is the lease? Have there been any extensions or major works? What are the local amenities like? Phew. OK. That was a bit of a whistle-stop tour of the top questions you want to ask when viewing a house. Now let’s delve into the different areas a little deeper.
How long has the house been on the market?
A good way to get started is to ask a little about the sale itself. Asking questions about the listing can help ease your way into the conversation: How long has the house been on the market? Has the price been reduced? Have you had a lot of interest? Have you had any offers?
Does the home need any work?
This is a question you can ask, but also something you can look for. Signs of cracks, damp, mould — anything that doesn’t look sound is definitely something you should keep an eye out for. Don’t forget to take a look at the roof and ask how old it is. It’s also crucial to look at the outside of the property as well as the inside, because signs of wear and tear are sometimes more obvious there.
Boilers are expensive. There’s no denying that. So just like the roof, ask how old the boiler is — because an old boiler is something you’ll need to factor into your purchase price. You can also run the taps to make sure there’s decent water pressure, because you don’t want to realise after you’ve moved that you’re trying to wash your hair in a sad trickle of water. How old is the boiler?
Why are they selling?
This is still a general question you can ask when viewing a home, but also information that can be very useful. If the seller has lived there for a long time, that’s a good sign they liked living there. If they are moving after 8 months, that may set off some alarm bells. This also leads into other useful questions. Why are they selling? What’s their position? Have they found a new property? Is there a chain? It’s all useful information and also can help give you a sense of whether or not the seller might be open to an offer.
What is the council tax band?
You want to get a sense of your bills, and council tax is a good place to start. The band will decide how much you pay every month to the council, but there are some other costs you may want to ask about. Is there a service charge? How much is the ground rent? What is broadband availability like? What’s the EPC rating? Are the windows double-glazed? Especially with current energy costs, getting a sense of how much it might cost to run the building is key.
If the seller has lived there for a long time, that’s a good sign that they liked living there. If they are moving after 8 months, that may set off some alarm bells."
How long is the lease?
Of all the questions to ask when viewing a house, this might be one of the most important. If the property is a freehold, this likey won’t come up — but if it’s leasehold, you’ll definitely want to ask about the length of the lease. Anything under 80 years is normally considered a short lease, but really anywhere under the 100-year mark and you want to be mindful, especially if you’re considering living in the property for a long time. Short leases can mean trouble getting a mortgage, paying (a lot) for lease extensions, and more, so a short lease shouldn’t be factored into the price of the property.
Have there been any extensions or major works?
It’s always good to know about any major changes to the property, for a few different reasons. Partly just because you’ll want to make sure that proper permission was granted if it was required. But also because you may want to check that it looks sound and fits in with the rest of the home. You can also ask if there’s any potential to extend — or even planning permission — in case you want to add onto the property in the future.
What are the local amenities like?
If you don’t know the local area, it definitely helps to ask the owners or the estate agent, who should both know it well. Exactly what you’re looking for is down to you — whether you’re a commuter, whether you have kids, or maybe you’re into outdoor swimming. Think about what’s important to you and make sure to ask about it. What are the transport links like? How are the local schools? What are the pollution levels? Where’s the nearest green space? How is the parking? You’ll know what you need, so don’t be afraid to ask. Oh, and if you can — ask about the neighbours. And maybe try to visit the property at different times of day. Especially if you’re going to be living in very close quarters, it helps to get a sense of the people, the area, and how easy it will be to rub along together. There are so many different questions to ask when viewing a house — and it’s completely natural to feel like you get swept up in the moment, and only remember when you’re in your car that you forgot to ask why there was a washing machine in the middle of a bedroom or if the dodgy looking fence was anything to worry about. That’s OK. Bring a list, try to be methodical, and remember you can always ask follow up questions later. It’s a big decision, so it’s one that’s worth taking your time with.
House Viewing FAQs
What are the best questions to ask when viewing a house?
When you’re viewing a house, you always want to ask questions about the sale of the property, the condition of the property, and anything else that might be useful for your needs. Helpful questions to ask when viewing include: How long has the house been on the market? Why are they selling? Does the home need any structural work? Are there signs of damp or mould? How old is the property? How old is the boiler? How long is the lease? What are the local amenities like?
What questions to ask at a house viewing UK?
What should I ask an estate agent for when viewing a property?
What not to say when viewing a house?
How do you make a good first impression at a house viewing?
Should I bring anything to a house viewing?
How long should a house viewing take?
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