Things to look out for when buying a property In UK | 2021 Guide
Things to look out for when buying a property
Buying a property can be very scary if you’re not sure what to look out for. In this post, we have talked about things to look out for when buying a property. If you walk in not knowing where to look or what to look for you could end up losing a lot of money refurbishing it and paying over the odds for the property as well. Just because a property appears to be in good condition does not mean that it is. Always look around corners, under the carpet, what does it smell like? Pay close attention to the walls, they say a lot about the property. Like the saying goes ‘If only the walls could speak, they would have a story to tell’.
We have prepared a list of things to look out for when buying a property. Getting you started on what you need to be aware of will make you feel more confident about the purchase. But remember this is not an exhaustive list, there are things that are personal to you that you may want from a property, always make a list of these before you go to viewings. It’s easy to forget certain things when you get there. Make sure what is to be left in is working as it should be.
You will not find a property that is perfect, you have to make some compromises, but do not compromise on your safety and security and also keep to the budget that you set out with. Does the property have most of the things you need and want and can you live without the things it doesn’t offer? If yes then it's worth a second viewing.
You need to consider the reason you are looking for a particular property as well. Is this going to be your family home or is it an investment that you will be renting out or reselling. The below list will be the same but with a few extra additions such as how much you are willing to invest? Does the area have a good rental demand? What rules and regulations do you need to be aware of? and if there is enough of a return for you to make this worthwhile. There will be other considerations for you to think about, these are just to get you started. In both cases you will need to have a survey done, this will point out things you may have missed during your own checks.
Outside of property
Neighbourhood: When raising a family you need to be aware of what is happening in your location. Does it have a close knit community? Do the neighbours get along with each other? What is the crime rate like there? Can you see any burnt out cars close by or unkept gardens? Are there groups of kids/people hanging around shops, corners or close to your property? Is there graffiti on the walls? Do you feel comfortable walking around on your own? Always have a look around at different times of the day, you may get a different picture in the evening.
2. Future development: Does the property have potential to build another room either downstairs or upstairs? Can you increase the space inside by opening up rooms? Can you add another toilet, bathroom, en-suit? Is there potential to build another room in the loft? Could you build an outbuilding in your back garden?
3. Structure of the building: How is the general condition of the building? Do you see any cracks or small holes? Does the building tilt from one side? If it does then there may be other problems you could face on the inside. Subsidence may not be easy to rectify. What is the age of the house? Property over 150 years old can come with many problems and these usually unfold when you start the renovation works. Is the building made from bricks and mortar or is it built using unconventional materials such as concrete frames?
4. Roof: What state is the roof in? Can you see any missing tiles or tiles out of place? Does the roof look old or new? Are the chimneys still standing and look sturdy? Can you see any signs of leakage near the guttering? Are the gutters clean and cleared? Be careful of flat roofs as these could cause problems later down the line if not checked properly. Check to see if the water runs off and for any gaps between the layers of sheets that stop the water coming in?
5. Drainage: Is the property in a flood risk area? Are there any blocked drains nearby? Do you have a drain near you? Does the water go down easily and quickly?
6. Noise: Are you near a high street or a dual carriageway? Do lots of vehicles pass by or cut through your road? Is there a pub nearby? If yes, what are their opening times? Is there a school nearby? This can all be a cause for concern as the traffic and noise build up can disturb your peace. You may not feel it so much in the winter as the windows will be closed but the summer may be worse. Plus if school kids are walking passed your house they could be talking loud and shouting at each other. The language they use, you may not want your children to hear it.
7. Parking/garage: Do you have sufficient parking space? Is there a driveway on your property? Parking is becoming a premium now, especially for families. If you have large shopping bags to bring back, you don’t want to park 100 yards down the road. If you can only park on the road, check if you need a permit to park.
8. Shops/local amenities: Do you have any local shops near you? You may need to pick up bread or milk in the evening, can you walk to the shop to pick some up? You will always need something throughout the week from your local shop that you don't want to get in your car for and go to the big supermarkets. Check what their opening times are or whether they are open 24 hours.
9 What land is included, what are your boundaries? If you do like the property and are thinking about moving in, check your boundaries and check whether there is anyone who will dispute them. Talk to your neighbours about their boundaries. The last thing you want is once you moved in to find out you don't have the land you thought you did. Also get the legal documents that show you what land is yours.
10. What work has been done on the property? Has there been any extensions been built or extra rooms been added inside? If yes ask if they have any paperwork to show when this was done and by whom. Is it insured? When was it done? This will give you an idea of what work you may or may not need to focus on.
11. Is it a listed building or in a conservation area? You will be restricted in what you can change if the building is listed or in a conservation area. You have to get permission from the local council to make even minor changes. A lot of the time it's the front of the house you can't change if it's in a conservation area but can change things inside and to the back of the building. However if it's a listed building you will have great difficulty changing anything, front or back. You may not even be able to change the inside depending on how it is graded.
Inside of property
Damp: It's not very difficult to spot damp as you will see patches on the wall, wallpaper will be coming off from the sides/bottom/top or bubbling, there’s a musty smell in the air plus it may feel cold in the room as well. It is always better to treat the damp rather than just covering it up, as it will always come back and damage the work that you have done, meaning you will have to re-do the same work again later down the line.
2. Cracks in walls: Could be a sign of bigger problems. The building could be tilting to one side, subsidence. If there are large cracks going down a wall it could mean you may have to look at the plumbing/wiring again to make sure nothing has been pulled apart. It may also mean the building is not structurally safe, meaning you will have to get a structural engineer out to survey the property. Confirm if the house is made from non-standard materials as this will affect you getting a mortgage.3. Windows: Does the property have double glazing or is it single glazed? What is the condition of windows? The frames also need to be checked as they can either save you energy or cost you more. If the windows are double glazing, do they look clear or is there condensation between the glass? If there is condensation it may be due to poor insulation. How old are the windows, when were they last replaced?
4. Plumbing: Do the pipes make a loud noise or banging noise when you turn on the taps? Is there enough pressure coming out of the taps? If it's a really old building, check for any lead pipes. Look for damp patches near the pipes. Are there any water marks on the walls or floors near the pipes? Can you see any visible leaks, drops of water coming from the pipes?
5. Electrics: When was the consumer unit last checked? How old is the wiring? Are there any exposed wires? Do the light switches work? Check where the switches are located as well. Are they behind doors or in front of them? If a switch is in the middle of the hallway and not by the door and this area gets very dark in the evening, this may cause problems in the future. How much is the electrical bill in this property? Fixing electrical issues can become very expensive, so it's best to know about them beforehand and see if you can get a reduction on the house price so you can use the savings to pay for the electrics, if need be.
6. Mobile signal, internet connections/links: With everyone carrying mobile phones and always trying to link to the nearest WIFI, it will be a good idea to check your reception on the phone when you walk into the property and for any internet providers to that property. What is the average speed of the broadband? The last thing you need is to move in and have issue making and receiving calls or not having any internet.
7. Number of rooms/sizes: Depending on the size of your family you will need a set number of rooms that will need to be a certain size. Check the size of the room by taking your own measurements, because sometimes a room can look bigger than it actually is by the layout of the furniture and the fixtures. If you have intentions of creating more rooms, first check to see if you have the space to do that. Don’t only look at the location but the house as well, does it fulfill your needs as a family? If not don’t try and convince yourself it does and suffer later.
8. What's included and what's not included with the property? When looking around a property you may find something that you like, this may even be the decision maker for you. If you do go ahead with the purchase, it will be a good idea to first check what will stay with the house and what will be taken with the seller. Everything should be accounted for so there won't be any misunderstandings later during the purchase. If the item that wanted to remain is to be taken, maybe you can negotiate to keep it by paying more or making it known that this was the reason for you buying the house.
9. Cost of living: How much is the council tax for the area? How much will it cost to heat up the house? How much is the water rate? Does the house have a large back garden? If yes, how much will it cost to maintain the garden? Who supplies the internet there and how much does that cost? What is local to the property when it comes to entertainment? Do you have to travel far out for the nearest restaurant? If yes this will add to your fuel costs? What other shops are local to you?
10. Floors: Check to see if the floorboards are soft, damp as this can create holes in the floor. If possible check under the floors to see what is beneath the boards. Would you need to do any digging and replacing any of the ground? Check to see if you can spot any sulphate under the ground floor flooring, this can cause major issues with the structure of the building. Are the boards coming away from the ends, by the walls? Check for damp near the floorboards.
11. Access/passage to the house: Where is the front door located on the house? Are there big bushes covering the front door? Is the door on the side of the house with minimum lighting? How easy is it to get into the back garden? Do you have a gate leading to the back of the house that can be locked? Is there sufficient lighting in the front and back of the house? Do the windows have locks on them? What type of locks are on the doors? What condition and quality are the doors that lead into the house?
12. Energy efficiency of the house: If you want to save money in the long run it's always good to check the EPC rating of the house. The higher the number the better it is. The energy efficiency of a house also means how warm your house will be throughout the year. If the EPC rating of the property is an F then you will have a lot of work to do to make it more energy efficient, whereas if it’s B, then it is already quite efficient.
13. Storage: You can never have too much storage, it seems like the more you have the more you need. So make sure there is plenty for your family’s needs. Do you have enough space to put away everyone's clothes, shoes, coats etc? Is there space for the kids toys, bikes and other equipment? Is there enough storage for all the kitchen appliances that you will be using?
14. Functional fireplace, chimneys working? If you enjoy an open fireplace make sure to check if the chimneys are clean and clear from anything that may block it. The last thing you would want is a room full of smoke. Are there any smoke stains around the chimney? Look for any cracks, gaps or signs of wear in the lining of the fire box. Make sure the grate is the right size, as a large grate may encourage you to throw in more logs creating a bigger flame causing damage to the fireplace and chimney.
15. Does the boiler need changing? When was the last time this was checked? How old is the boiler? Is it still in good working order? What is the make and model of the boiler? You can go for the cheaper option but it may not last very long and cause many problems throughout its lifespan. Sometimes it's better to go with a good brand that will function better and last longer.
16. What direction is the back garden facing? Many people forget to check what direction the garden is facing and then wonder why there is not much light coming into the house. Gardens that face South generally have the most light over a longer period of time. If you like to entertain guests you will have nice summer evenings in your garden to brighten the mood. If you enjoy gardening, then this will give the chance to grow more plants/flowers and fruit and vegetables.
17. How much privacy do you have in your garden? Is the garden open for all to see? Do you have short fences? Can the neighbours see into your garden from their windows? Is your property in front of another property where people can see into your garden? Is your garden connected with your neighbour who needs access to their garden? Do you need to use a shared driveway to get to your garden? If yes, how many people would be using the access point?
18. How much work is needed in the back garden? Is it an overgrown garden? Do you have lots of bushes and trees that need to be cut back? If it is a large garden look for Japanese Knot weed as this can significantly reduce the value of the property and cause damage to your house. Is the garden level? Is it on a slope? Does it have a lot of weeds and bumps spread out? Is the garden big enough for the family? Is it too small? Do you have a lot of grass or is most of it slabbed up?
19. Ask the seller questions: How long has the seller lived there? If a short while then this may be a cause for concern. Why are they moving? How much was their average bill? How long has the property been on the market? Have they already found a property or are they still looking? This will give you some indication of how quickly they can move. Have they made any changes to the property and if so do they have any proof of work carried out?
Remember there may be other things you would want to know about the property and the area that you are moving into. What are the neighbours like and can you see yourself getting on with them? You have to live there and see the people/neighbours everyday when you go to the shops, when you wash your car or play with your kids in the front garden. Do you have a good feeling about the area? Always make a list of the things you want to know about a property and area before you get there, you don't want to come back home and think about the things you forgot to ask.