Because it’s easy to forget things when you’re there 

Viewings move fast. You’re measuring rooms in your head, checking if the sofa will fit, and half-listening to the estate agent. It’s easy to miss the things that actually matter, the things that will cost you money after you’ve moved in. Obviously you’ll get a full surveyor’s report, but you could head off a load of questions by being eagle-eyed yourself first. 

Check the breakdown below, from the heating system to the plumbing to the bits most buyers never think to check. 

Start with the boiler

The boiler is one of the most expensive things to replace in any home. Ask how old it is. Anything over 12 years is on borrowed time, and a boiler pushing 15 years is likely running well below modern efficiency standards. A new one can cost upwards of £2,000 installed, so it’s worth factoring into your offer. 

While you’re at it, check whether there’s a service history. A well-maintained boiler that’s been serviced every year will generally outlast a newer one that’s been left to its own devices. If the system hasn’t been touched in years, it’ll likely need a power flush before a new boiler works properly anyway, and at that point you’re looking at a significant outlay. iHeat boilers are worth checking out so you know what a full replacement would cost before you make an offer. 

Look at the radiators too. Bleed valves caked in rust, cold spots at the top of panels, or discoloured water in the system can all point to sludge build-up. Power flushing isn’t cheap, and if the system hasn’t been touched in years, it’ll likely need it before a new boiler works properly anyway. 

Pipes, pressure and bodge jobs

Turn on the taps upstairs and check the water pressure. Weak flow on the top floor can mean the cold water tank is struggling, or that the pipes are partially blocked. It’s a small thing to check but it flags bigger system issues. 

Look under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom. You’re checking for signs of previous leaks, water stains on the cabinet floor, swollen chipboard, or mismatched pipe connectors suggesting a quick fix was applied at some point. Bodged plumbing is common in older houses and can be expensive to sort properly. 

Check the stopcock

Ask where the stopcock is and turn it. If it won’t move or it’s been painted over, that’s worth noting. In an emergency, a burst pipe, a leaking appliance, you need to be able to shut off the water quickly. A seized stopcock is a small problem until it suddenly isn’t. 

Damp, walls and windows

Check the corners of rooms at floor level, behind furniture if you can, and along external walls. Rising damp tends to show as tide marks low on the wall. Condensation damp is more common and easier to fix, but penetrating damp in a solid wall property can mean significant work. 

Check the windows while you’re in each room. Look for misted double glazing, that’s a failed seal and the pane will need replacing. If there are single-glazed windows throughout, build that into your energy costs. Old frames with draughts will knock your heating bills up noticeably. 

The loft and outside the property

If you can get a look in the loft, check for daylight coming through the roof, any sagging or dark patches on the timbers, and whether there’s insulation in place. The minimum recommended depth is 270mm. Anything less and you’re losing heat from day one. 

Outside, look at the guttering along the roofline. Sagging sections, missing brackets, or green moss streaking down the wall suggest water isn’t being directed away properly. It doesn’t sound dramatic, but long-term water ingress at the wall can cause problems that take years to fully show up. 

Final check…

Most buyers go into viewings thinking about decor and square footage. The smart ones are looking at what’s behind the walls. A property that needs a new boiler, replumbing, and damp treatment could easily add thousands to your first year costs. 

So go in with a list, take your time, and don’t be afraid to ask questions the estate agent clearly doesn’t want to answer.