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Home Loans

Inspection checklist.

Garden.

  • Check the condition of fences and gates especially posts and rails for rot and deterioration
  • Look for large trees too close to the house. These could cause structural subsidence
  • Look for evidence of water run-off from the garden flowing or ponding underneath the house. This could cause excessive damp conditions.

Outside walls.

  • Check for rotting timber such as doors, windows and verandah posts
  • Check the condition of mortar between the bricks. Eroding mortar should be cleaned out and recapped by a bricklayer. Different coloured mortar may indicate a repaired wall
  • Look for buckled, badly fitted or water stained eaves. These may be an indication of roof or gutter problems.

Internal walls.

  • Look for cracks and general movement
  • Inspect brick walls for signs of dampness e.e. paint and wallpaper lifting, rotting skirting or architraves, white or brownish deposits
  • Check doors for jamming
  • Look for water stains and mould growth which could indicate excessive condensation or roof leaks.

Floors.

  • Timber floors - lightly jump on the floor at regular intervals. This may indicate rotten floorboards, looseness or borer infestation
  • Concrete floors - look for dampness such as lifting tiles and rotten or stained carpet.

Windows and ventilation.

  • Make sure windows can be opened and check for broken glass panes. Sash cords in older windows may need replacing
  • Check for excessive condensation and mould growth on windows and walls
  • Try to locate the source of musty smells.

Renovations or extensions.

  • If the house has recently been renovated or extended, check with the local council to ensure that a building permit was obtained. Illegal alterations could become your responsibility if you buy the property, especially if they contravene building regulations.

Electrical systems.

  • Check lights switches and power points work and are in good condition
  • Look for signs of burns around switches, fittings and fuses.

Roof.

  • A sound roof is essential. Look for broken tiles and ridge caps
  • Are iron sheets securely fixed and in good condition?
  • Are gutters from rust and holes?

General.

  • Examine the house for appropriate room layout, orientation to the sun, views, relation to neighbours, traffic noises, etc.
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Plumbing.

  • Check taps, hand basins, toilets, etc for cracks or leaks
  • Test the water pressure by turning on several taps  simultaneously to see if there us ant appreciable pressure drop
  • Look for damp ground in the vicinity of the drains. Cracks or leaks in pipes could cause this
  • Check for the dampness and soft soil where downpipes meet the ground. They may not have been connected to stormwater.
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