Top 15 Questions To Ask When Viewing A House

It can be hard to figure out what to ask when viewing a house, whether you are looking to buy a house to live in or as an investment property. I have put together the top 15 questions you should ask at a house viewing that will help you make an informed decision on the property.

Table of Contents

Why is the owner selling?
How long has the property been on the market?
Is there a chain?
How old is the property?
Have there been any major renovations or extensions?
Are there any current bids on the property?
Has the property’s listed price been reduced?
What is the local area like?
Are there any developments planned close by?
Is the property leasehold or freehold?
What is included in the sale?
Is the property a Listed Building, in a Conservation Area or subject to any Covenants?
How much is the council tax and other utility bills?
When was the boiler installed and last serviced?
Can they show you the Energy Performance Certificate?

1. Why is the owner selling?

Always ask why the current owners are selling the house, as it can offer valuable insights into the property and the seller. It could be that they are a highly motivated seller because of their circumstances, like they are moving away for work, and need to sell the house quickly – this may mean they might accept a lower price for the property for a quick sale.

2. How long has the property been on the market?

It can be a red flag if a property has been for sale for some time without any offers, so if it has been on the market for more than 3 months, you should find out why. It could be that another sale fell through, but it could point to something more worrying, like a bad house survey. It could be that there isn’t anything wrong, and that it was just overpriced, but it’s worth asking.

3. Is there a chain?

If the property is involved in a chain, i.e. the current owners haven’t found a new house yet, then the buying process could take a long time. If it is, this means you should weigh up your options – consider if the property is worth waiting for.

4. How old is the property?

It’s always good to know the exact age of the property you are thinking about buying. Period properties are often more charming and highly sought after, but the upkeep of an older house can be costly. It could also mean renovations and modernisation is required, especially if you plan to let the property.

5. Have there been any major renovations or extensions?

If there have been any recent renovations or extensions, ask if the owners obtained the correct planning and building regulations consents. If they did not, and you buy the property, you could be liable for potential costs in the future or may even need to demolish an extension that was done without proper planning permission.

6. Are there any current bids on the property?

The estate agent will tell you if there have been any offers made on the property so far. They will not share the exact value of those offers but may drop some hints, so listen carefully to their answer. If lots of offers have been made but declined, this could indicate underlying problems with the property.

7. Has the property’s listed price been reduced?

If the asking price has been reduced, it could be a sign of problems with the property or the local area. It could also mean that the seller was overly optimistic or greedy at the beginning, so this isn’t always a sign of deeper issues.

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8. What is the local area like?

Ask this question at the viewing, but also do your own research into the local area, such as the crime rate, what the local schools are like, what amenities are nearby, transport links and more.

9. Are there any developments planned close by?

Local plans could affect the value of the property in the future. A regeneration project could increase the property’s value, but likewise, building close by can cause disruption in the local area for years or affect the views from the property – if it looks out onto fields but there are plans for a new housing development or similar, then this can negatively affect the value of the property.

10. Is the property leasehold or freehold?

This is essential to know, as a freehold property is generally more valuable and less hassle than a leasehold property. Most flats and apartments, however, are leasehold, and lease terms can differ greatly, so look into the property’s tenure if it is leasehold to figure out if it fits with your own goals.

11. What is included in the sale?

Always ask what exactly is included in the sale of property. Sometimes, fixtures and fittings, garden sheds, garages and greenhouses and even driveways are not included in the sale, which will affect your decision. Take a look at the property boundaries to find out if fences, hedges and pathways are part of the property or not.

12. Is the property a Listed Building, in a Conservation Area or subject to any Covenants?

Listed buildings can be very unique and often sought-after; however, there are a lot of restrictions on what you can do with a listed property, and maintenance can be more expensive. If a property is within a Conservation area or has restrictive covenants placed on it, this can limit your options and affect the future value.

13. How much is the council tax and other utility bills?

Ask what council tax band the property is in – you can check this online too. You could also ask to see recent utility bills for the property to get an idea of what you will pay in running costs.

14. When was the boiler installed and last serviced?

Replacing an old or faulty boiler can be very expensive, so find out how old the current boiler is and how often it gets serviced to avoid any surprise costs later on.

15. Can they show you the Energy Performance Certificate?

The Energy Performance Certificate for the property will give a rating from A to G depending on how efficient it is. This is based on how much energy the property uses per square metre and can give you an idea of running costs, such as how much it would be to heat the property. An energy rating of D or below can be concerning – ideally, it should be C or above.

You can find out a lot of this information online or contact the estate agent later, so don’t worry too much if you forget to ask some questions during the viewing. Also, while you are there, check what your phone signal is like, run the taps to see how the water pressure is, and don’t be afraid to open closets, look under rugs and other things to get a really good idea of what the property is really like. Dont ignore your nose either – musty smells can indicate damp problems or other issues.

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