Property Presentation

Buying a House: What to Check Before Signing

Detailed checklist for house inspection - from foundation to roof, from documents to utilities.

Use the viewing as a decision record

This checklist helps organise observations and questions. It does not verify technical condition, ownership or the legal status of a property.

Building and visible condition

  • Record visible cracks, signs of moisture and unusual odours.
  • Ask about the roof, drainage and previous repair work.
  • Photograph observations without treating them as a technical diagnosis.

Systems and equipment

  • Record the electrical, water, heating and ventilation systems that are present.
  • Ask for available maintenance or test documents.
  • Leave the actual assessment to a qualified specialist.

Plot, access and surroundings

  • Review visible boundaries, access, drainage and the immediate surroundings.
  • Visit at a different time of day when practical.

Documents and follow-up questions

Record which documents were provided and which remain outstanding. Ownership, cadastral information, permits and contract terms should be checked by suitable legal or technical professionals.

Before making a decision

Keep photographs, notes, expected work and unanswered questions together. Do not rely only on the listing description.

Next step

Use the relevant Propelia workflow

Product pages remain the canonical source for current capabilities and access.