Questions to Ask When Viewing a House: The Complete List

Knowing the right questions to ask when viewing a house can save you from an expensive surprise further down the line. A viewing is your chance to get beyond the photos and find out what a property is really like to live in.

Below, we’ve grouped the key questions to ask by topic, so you can make sure nothing gets missed.

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Estate agents and sellers are legally required to disclose known issues, but they won’t always volunteer information unless you ask directly. Going in prepared helps you make a more informed decision, and can also strengthen your position if you decide to negotiate.

Questions About the Sale

Understanding the seller’s situation can help you gauge how realistic the timeline and price might be.

Why is the owner selling? 

This can reveal whether it’s a straightforward move, or something like a job relocation or financial pressure that might affect flexibility on price or timing.

How long has the property been on the market? 

A property that’s been listed for a while may indicate it’s overpriced, or that there’s something putting buyers off.

How much interest has there been? 

This gives you a sense of how competitive the sale might be, and whether you’ll need to move quickly with an offer.

Have any offers been made or fallen through? 

If a previous sale fell through, it’s worth finding out why, as it might flag an issue worth investigating further.

Is there a property chain? 

Chains can affect how quickly a sale completes, so it’s useful to know how many links are involved before you commit.

What is the seller’s preferred timeline for moving? 

This helps you check if your own timeline is compatible, especially if you have a specific moving date in mind.

Questions About the Property

These questions cover the legal and structural basics.

Is the property freehold or leasehold? 

This affects your ongoing costs and responsibilities, so it’s one of the first things worth confirming.

How old is the property and when was it last renovated? 

Older properties may need more maintenance, though a lot depends on how well they’ve been looked after over the years.

Has the property had any structural work done? 

It’s worth asking whether any structural work has building regulations sign-off, as unauthorised work can cause problems later.

Is the property listed or in a conservation area? 

This can restrict what changes you’re able to make in future, so it’s worth knowing before you fall in love with renovation plans.

Has there been any history of damp, flooding or subsidence? 

Sellers are required to disclose known issues, but asking directly can prompt more detail than a standard form.

Does the property have any planning permissions granted or refused? 

This can tell you about the seller’s own renovation plans, or flag any neighbouring development that could affect you.

Which way does the property face? 

Orientation affects natural light throughout the day, which can make a real difference to how a home feels to live in.

What is included in the sale? 

Confirm exactly what fixtures, fittings and appliances are included, as this can vary and is worth clarifying early to avoid disappointment later.

Questions About the Condition and Running Costs

These questions help you understand what it’ll actually cost to live there.

How old is the boiler and when was it last serviced? 

An older or poorly maintained boiler could mean costly repairs or replacement soon after moving in.

What is the EPC rating and what are the estimated energy bills? 

The Energy Performance Certificate gives a good indication of how energy-efficient the property is likely to be.

What is the council tax band? 

This is an easy detail to check in advance, but confirming it during a viewing avoids any surprises later.

How is the water pressure and hot water system? 

Worth checking directly, as this isn’t always obvious from a quick look around and can affect day-to-day comfort.

How new are the drains, guttering and roof? 

These are expensive to replace, so it’s worth understanding their condition and age where possible.

Is there loft insulation and double glazing throughout? 

Both can significantly affect running costs and comfort, particularly in winter.

How much storage space is there? 

Easy to overlook during a viewing, but often becomes a bigger factor once you’ve moved in.

Questions About the Local Area

The area around a property matters just as much as the property itself.

What are the transport links like? 

Worth checking journey times at the time of day you’d actually be commuting, not just off-peak.

What are the local schools and how are they rated? 

Even if you don’t have children now, this can affect resale value later.

Are there any planned developments or local planning applications nearby? 

It’s worth checking the local council’s planning portal for anything that might affect the area in future.

What is the parking situation? 

Ask about permits, availability and any restrictions, particularly in busy urban areas.

What are the neighbours and neighbourhood like? 

An estate agent may have limited insight here, but it’s worth asking, and following up with your own research where you can.

Questions Specific to Leasehold Properties

Leasehold properties come with their own set of considerations.

How many years are left on the lease? 

Short leases can affect mortgage availability and future value, so this is worth clarifying early on.

What are the service charges and ground rent? 

These ongoing costs can vary considerably, so it’s worth understanding them before making an offer.

Who manages the building and what does the service charge cover? 

This affects how well the building is likely to be maintained, and what you can expect for your money.

Have there been any major works carried out or planned? 

Major works can mean a large one-off bill for leaseholders, so it’s worth asking if anything is planned.

Questions to Ask on a Second Viewing

A second viewing is a good opportunity to dig a little deeper.

Can you speak directly with the sellers? 

Sellers can sometimes offer more candid detail than an estate agent, particularly about day-to-day living.

What are mobile and broadband speeds like? 

Worth checking directly if you work from home or rely on a strong connection.

Are there any disputes with neighbours? 

Sellers are legally required to disclose known disputes, so it’s worth asking the question directly.

What have been the biggest running costs or maintenance issues? 

This can give you a realistic sense of ongoing costs beyond the obvious ones.

What to Look for Yourself During the Viewing

Alongside the questions you ask, there’s plenty worth checking with your own eyes.

Signs of damp or mould 

Look around windows, corners and behind furniture where possible, as these are common spots for damp to show.

Cracks in walls or ceilings 

Small hairline cracks are often just cosmetic, but larger or stepped cracks may be worth having checked by a surveyor.

Condition of windows, doors and floors 

These can indicate the overall level of maintenance and give a sense of any work you might need to budget for.

Natural light and room sizes at different times of day 

If possible, view at different times of day to get a fuller picture of how the property feels to live in.

Ready to Start Viewing?

Asking the right questions at a viewing can help you avoid costly surprises and buy with far more confidence. Once you’ve found the right home, having support behind you can make the rest of the process easier too.

Search for your next home, or if you’re planning to sell at the same time, sell your house quickly with Purplebricks.

For more on this stage of the process, see what you should be looking for when buying a house, our house buying checklist, and find out how do hosted viewings work if you’re viewing with Purplebricks.