There are Some searches and information that you should obtain yourself before proceeding with an offer for a property.

• Home Check - A guide to flooding, subsidence, pollution, landfill sites, schools,
  crime rates and planning information in your neighbourhood. (Free)
  http://www.homecheck.co.uk
  
  
• Environment Agency - Flood Check (Free)
  http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
  
  
• Land Registry - Obtain the Title Plan & Title Register (£4 each)
  http://www.landregistery.gov.uk
  
  
• Council Tax Bands (Free)
  http://www.voa.gov.uk
  
  
• Price Check - Check recent sale prices in the same area (Free)
  http://www.houseprices.co.uk

 

General things to look for when viewing / assessing a property, or in other words a Property Buying Checklist:

• What are the Neighbours like?
  
• Why is he property being sold?
  
• Where are the nearest Shops?
  
• What are the local Schools like?
  
• Are there any local Sports facilities?
  
• Are transport links good?
  
  • How far is the nearest station?
    
• Is the area noisy?
  
• Is the property tied up in a chain?
  
  • How quickly would the owners like to move?
    
• Is there Parking?
  
• Does it have a private or shared Garden?
  
  • What aspect is the Garden?
    
• Is there sufficient storage space inside / outside?
  
• Does the property have Central Heating?
  
  • Does it have a Boiler or Tank?
    
    • Is the Boiler in good working condition?
      
    • How old is the Boiler?
      
  • How old is the central heating system?
    
• Does the property have Gas?
  
• Does the property have Double Glazing?
  
• Is the lobby wide enough to allow transportation of any large furniture to the other rooms?
  
• Is the property Private or ex Local Authority / Council?
  
• Is the property Leasehold or Freehold?
  
• If Leasehold, what are the term of the Lease?
  
  • Have you been given the correct information about the remaining term on the lease of the property?
    
    • If the remaining lease is approximately 80 years, have you taken into
      account the 'Marriage Value'* that may be levied?
      
  • How much is the Ground Rent?
    
  • How much are the Service Charges?
    
  • Are there any planned works to be carried out - whose costs may be shared by all the lease holders?
    
  • Does the Leaseholder maintain the flat block?
    
• Has any building work been done in / on the property since the current owners moved in?
  
  • If leasehold, then it is advisable to have an assessment carried out by the leaseholder on any changes that may have been made to the flat by the current / last owner.
    
• Does the property receive direct sunlight or is it in a shade?
  
• Future plans, i.e. do you plan to live there long term, or just short. If short then you need not worry
  too much about the area whilst taking into account would it be suitable for your children / family in say
  10 years time.

 

If the Property is a Flat / Apartment / Maisonette:

• Is the property on the Top Floor?
  
  • Is the roof insulated to keep extreme summer heat out?
    
  • Is there a lift?
    
  • How many flights of stairs are there to climb?
    
  • Can large furniture be transported up?
    
  • Are the roof tiles in good condition?
    
    • Are there any leaks in the ceiling?
      
    • Are there any planned roof works?
      
• Is the property on the Middle Floor? Will there be any noise problem from the floors above or beneath?
  
  • Is the property on the Ground Floor? Who maintains the outside?
    
• Is the outside Clean?
  
• Is the outside well lit?
  
• Is the flat Safe/Secure?
  
• Is there any continued noise from the main building entrance door / parking lot?
  
• Is there allocated Parking?
  
  • If not, is it easy to park close by?
    
  • Are there any parking restrictions in force?