Viewing a flat tomorrow - any top tips?

[MrBobLoblaw]

DP and I are off to view a flat tomorrow and I'd love to know if there's anything specific you think I should look out for/ask the agent.

DP bought our current flat when we were first dating so, whilst I was present for viewings, it was him spearheading it so I'm a bit green behind the ears.

I want to check the heating system and ask about the garage (if there's potential to let it out as we don't have a car). Also the maintenance fees etc weren't available on the sheet so I also want to check that.

If it helps to know our situation- we're buying a place that we can grow in to as I'm currently pg and we have a toddler.

Any suggestions or experiences are gratefully received!

Not a home owner and never rented a house but this was brought up recently in the office one persons top tip was

Run the taps/shower so you know the water pressure

Ooh I like that, thanks @mookinsx. I hope the EA doesn't think I'm odd but I'm sure they'll have seen worse!

hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/top-tips-things-not-to-forget-when-viewing-a-property/

www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/house-buying-guide/

Visit on several occasions at different times of the day to check ease of parking & noise levels from other flats/houses nearby - loud music, partying, barking dogs. Is the flat near a school - lots of vehicles in and out first thing and in the afternoon?

Is there anywhere to hand clothes to dry?

Is there adequate storage?

Check out the nurseries and schools nearby

Check out the paint work/decoration inside and out - you have to maintain the property

Check the level of natural light. When and where does the sun shine in?

Interest rates are low - they can go up.

Good luck. Even if you love the first one you see, look at some others for comparison

Hang clothes to dry!

Will your furniture fit?

Ask if the current owner has had any problems with the neighbours,

Why the current current owner is moving, how long is left on the lease if it leasehold, whether the block is due any major refurbishment and how much costs associated with the property are, whether neighbouring properties are rented out or owned, who lives in the block (in case you don’t want student neighbours). I’d wait to twiddle with taps for a second viewing, which you should do if you want to buy it!

yes "go for a wee". in other words check toilet works, run taps ;)

ask for what service charges have been and are now to give an idea of % rises each year? and what exactly that includes? council tax £? how old is the boiler? when last serviced? if theres a gas/ electric fire ask on serviced last and have it switched on just to check even for a few seconds.

Notice the view in and out all windows.

Ground rent
Years left on lease

Soundproofing

Stairs...they REALLY are a nightmare once you have a baby. Especially at the toddler stage when they’re often asleep and need carrying up, buggy, toddler, bag, shopping...none of which you want to be leaving downstairs 😖

Is there a way you could stay where you are for a bit (babies don’t need that much) and save a bit more so you can get a house instead, even if it’s slightly further out of town?

I`d do this on a 1st viewing unless I was local. Be as thorough as you like. Its a big commitment, not buying a new handbag lol

Try and find out what the neighbours are like

Amazing, thank you everyone, fantastic advice and lots I hadn't thought about.

Thanks for the thread link @Evennow I'll have a read of that too and note down anything that pops up.

Like the tip about stairs @IncrediblySadToo but it's a flat so none to contend with, much to toddlers dismay cos he loves a good flight of stairs to terrify me with.
Can't stay where we are sadly as it's a one bed flat that we're already bursting out of the seams of! And I don't think we can fit two cots and a double bed in our bedroom I get what you mean about pushing for a house though but we're buying in London and really want to stay in this area (near all our friends and family and DPs work is a 20 min walk so he saves £ on commuting). And tbf this flat is the same square footage as most of the houses I've seen that are further afield.

Will deffo try and scope out the neighbours, might even go up in the lift to the other floors to have a nose around!

Sorry I just realised it's a web link, @Evennow. Thank you, reading it now.

Find out how long is left on the lease. It can be time consuming, complex and costly if it needs extending and many mortgage providers don't like short leases.

I think the PP was meaning the stairs up to the flat, if there’s a lift (and it works reliably) I guess that’s not an issue.

Where do they keep their bins!

Look for the missing things

Where does the bin go
Where’s the washing basket
Is there wardrobe room for the second bedroom
Is their bed sofa a standard size? Small sofa makes the room seem more spacious

In relation to the service/management charges, is there a sinking fund? Depending on whether there is and what is in it, any works carried out could require you to stump up large amounts of cash in addition to monthly payments.

@DrWhy ah yes of course @IncrediblySadToo did ha sorry about that! It's ground floor so hopefully won't be an issue. I'm on the first floor atm and I'm very done with hauling DS up the (curving) stairs in the buggy with the shopping, probably not that safe whilst pregnant either!

The length of the remaining lease is the most important question. That could have a massive impact on resale value. Then how much the service charge is and exactly what is included. Are any works planned which will require additional financial input? You could ask to see minutes from recent residents meetings, that will tell you about any issues with problem residents too. If it's gas central heating, there is some legislation about being able to inspect flues which can be an issue with flats, so definitely check that.

Those are the kind of things I'd be concerned about, bins / washing baskets /water pressure/ checking toilets are all minor in comparison.

Bins is a great shout as I assume it'll be some type of communal refuse system.

In fact- here's the flat: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60866394.html ~prays the vendor isn't a MNer~ any things you think I should be picking up on?

Definitely check on any pending work to the flats and what the arrangement is regarding paying (I had to stump up for major works but was given a favourable repayment plan).

Also condensation. Especially in a ground floor flat. Check all the corners of rooms in particular.

I think everything else has been covered. Good luck I hope it goes well.

That is a lovely flat. Good luck!

I can see why you like it, what a lovely bright flat!

Might also be worth checking how new the boiler, wiring and plumbing are.

That’s a stunning flat!! It looks like they’ve commandeered an area of garden so I’d be asking about maintenance and also who can use it. Presumably if a shared garden anyone could come up and plonk themselves down on the chairs by your window?
Also looking at security, presumably direct access to garden = external door etc. Great for you but removes the usual security aspect with flats of needing to first gain access to communal areas.