Viewing scheduled? Several factors come into play when buying or renting real estate. There a lot of things it’s best to pay attention to at the viewing that might be forgotten. Don’t worry! Here is the most useful and complete checklist for viewing a house or apartment.
Contents
- The checklist for viewing (introduction)
- General
- Building Technology
- Safety, installation and (hot water) heating
- For any space
- Apartment
- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Additional spaces
- Surroundings
- Other
The checklist for viewings
Go over the viewing checklist below, complete it and group the questions into categories: “this must be present/in order,” “this may be present/in order,” or “this is not necessary.” Print the checklist and take it with you to a viewing.
Sometimes you can be overwhelmed by a beautiful home, but forget that it must also meet your own. Always look with an open, rational mind and think in terms of solutions. The chances of finding a property that meets all your conditions exactly are rather slim. Keep your budget in mind, be flexible and think long term.
1. General
1.1. Bouwtechnisch
Do you have little experience with this yourself? Then ask an acquaintance or professional to support you in this.
- Does the roof look solid and straight?
- Does the roof contain asbestos-containing material?
- Are the facades neatly straight (no cracks)?
- Are the window frames, floors and roofs gap-tight?
- Is there (triple) double or high-efficiency glass present?
- Is the home adequately insulated (walls, roof, floor)?
- Are the tiles on the roof neatly, without cracks?
- Have there ever been any leaks or repairs? Was this recent?
- Can rainwater drain smoothly from the roof to the gutters?
- What is the EPC score and what are the expert’s recommendations?
- Is the acoustic insulation (noise from outside or another room) adequate?
- What is the condition of the floor and carpeting? Is it nice and level?
- …
1.2. Veiligheid, installatie en (warmwater)verwarming
- Is there an alarm system?
- Are the locks burglar-proof?
- What about your privacy? Can others easily look in?
- What devices are in the tech room?
- Hot water system (central heating boiler, condensing boiler, heat pump, solar water heater, etc.)
- Heating system (electric radiators, underfloor heating, etc.)
- Other (home battery, solar panels, cistern, etc.)
- What is the average energy cost per month (broken down into gas and electricity)?
- How many people make up the seller’s household (keep this in mind due to consumption)?
- Is there adequate natural or mechanical ventilation? Pay particular attention to this in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Is supplemental heating done with electrical devices (e.g., convectors, radiators, towel radiator, infrared)?
- How old is the electrical system, what condition is it in, has it been inspected, and what defects, if any, are listed in the inspection certificate?
- …
1.3. Voor elke ruimte
- Is there a view of the garden?
- Is there enough light?
- Does the room/home smell fresh?
- Is there enough room to move?
- Are there enough electrical outlets?
- Are low-maintenance materials used?
- Is there your desired type of floor (parquet, laminate, tile, etc.)?
- Is there enough storage space? Are there enough (walk-in) closets?
- What is the condition of the interior walls behind cabinets and other furniture?
- Do doors and windows open easily and far enough and close properly?
- Is everything inside waterproof? Or do you see loose baseboards, water stains, bubbles, cracks or discoloration?
- …
1.4. Appartement
- What are the by-laws?
- What are the common costs?
- What do the trustee’s reports say?
- What is the average energy cost (for a household your size)?
- What can you renovate yourself and what needs to be done communally? (e.g., windows, doors, etc.)
- Who takes care of the common areas and what are the associated costs? (e.g. cleaning lady, gardener)
- …
2. Kitchen
- Is there an oven?
- Is there a refrigerator?
- Is there a steam oven?
- Is there a freezer?
- Is there a wine refrigerator?
- Is there a kitchen island?
- Is there a dishwasher?
- Is there a microwave (oven)?
- Is there a gas stove or electric cooktop?
- Is there additional storage space (e.g., adjacent storage room)?
- …
3. Living Room
- Is there a fireplace?
- Is there a TV connection?
- Is the space combinable with other functions: desk with computer and printer, extra dining space when visitors come?
- …
4. Bedroom
- Are there enough bedrooms (e.g., for future children or visitors)?
- Are they easy to darken with current or future window coverings?
- …
5. Bathroom
- Is there a bath?
- Is there a bidet?
- Is there a restroom?
- Is there a guest toilet?
- Is there a shower?
- Is there a rain shower?
- Is there a walk-in shower?
- Is there a single sink?
- Is there a double sink?
- Is there a water-saving shower head?
- Are all materials moisture resistant (bathroom suitable)?
- …
6. Additional spaces
- Is there a garden?
- Is there aoer?
- Is there a garage?
- Is there a carport?
- Is there a porch?
- Is there a sports room?
- Is there a hobby room?
- Is there an attic room?
- Is there a (dry) basement?
- Is there an office space?
- Is there a landscaped terrace?
- Is there enough parking (in front/next to the house)?
- …
7. Surroundings
- How do the neighbors behave?
- Is there a highway nearby?
- Is there a gas station nearby?
- Are there any supermarkets nearby?
- Is there public transportation nearby?
- Is the property located in a flood zone?
- Are there a doctor and hospital nearby?
- Is there enough (free street) parking nearby?
- Are there many (road) works or renovations nearby?
- What is traffic like on a normal weekday during rush hour?
- What is the average age of the households in the street?
- What about noise (e.g., school, heavy traffic, train track)?
- How does the neighborhood/environment feel (daytime, evening, nighttime)?
- Are there schools (primary, secondary, college) nearby?
- Are there future remodeling projects nearby (e.g., a large apartment complex)?
- …
8. Other
- What does the soil mat test say?
- How long has it been for sale?
- Are you ever allowed to expand the property?
- How much does the municipal tax cost?
- How is the house and garden oriented?
- Why is the owner selling the property?
- How long did the current owner live there?
- What are the city planning permits?
- When can you get the key(s) at the earliest?
- Are appliances in the kitchen, bathroom, … still under warranty?
- What renovations, improvements, refreshes need to be done and what is the urgency of these?
- …
Congratulations! Now you have a list that you can easily print off and take with you to the viewing. Remember that your budget should also cover all the additional hidden costs of buying a home. Discover all costs in our article All costs when buying a house or apartment.
Sources: ING, Makelaarsland, Maxaro, Saniweb,
Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:
Biets, R. (2024, November 1). Checklist viewing a house or apartment. Apartment.com. Consulted on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be/checklist-voor-bezichtiging-huis-of-appartement/
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