Buying our first flat

[newhome1234]

We are first time buyers and we have just started doing viewings to buy our first flat. We saw a flat yesterday which we really loved but we want to be sure we don't jump into anything too quickly and regret it!

What questions should we be asking?
And what things should I be looking out for?

Thanks

www.leaders.co.uk/advice/10-things-you-need-know-buying-a-flat

This lists potential issues and advises what you should find out.

Yes have a look online, there are some great buyers' guides listing everything off.

The most important thing I think you need to be aware of are the terms of the lease. And the length of the lease.

Our first home was a flat, it was really lovely. First floor with one floor above. It only had electric radiators and these were very expensive to run, so avoid anywhere with these. There were also maintenance charges for gardening, window cleaning and internal stairs cleaning and residents association fees. These do add up and are compulsory, so you have to factor these payments in.

Noise and how the building is managed would be crucial factors for me. I own a flat I let out and the flat above was empty too amd I had a friend stomp around upstairs to get a feel of the noise - obviously not a normal circumstance but I would try and view when it's likely the neighbours will be at home. But the biggest nightmare has been the managing agents who are terrible, and they follow equally terrible agents. In fact we are clubbing together to get the communal areas redone as after 5 years of excuses we are fed up, but there's not much I can do about the roof etc - so ask questions about who and how and the cost of services.

We nearly bought in a block - spied a flyer for a Facebook residents group on a noticeboard and joined. Turned out there were people using the car park to take Class A drugs, the punters in the local pub used the car park as they liked, and noise echoed between the buildings all night. So we didn't buy that one! Also recommend scoping out what it's like at night.

Definite ask about length of lease (avoid anything under 80 and ideally you’d want close to 100 years) and ground rent terms. You don’t want anything with levels which are or will exceed 0.1% of value or which have significantly escalating terms. Check about cladding too. Also ask about management charges - around £100 per month is normal but they can be higher.