Property Inspection Trip?  Here's What You Need to Know and Do!

About to go on an inspection trip to look at a property or land for sale? Here is some initial advice for that first viewing...

Start with the paperwork

Make sure the property corresponds with the description of it in any property particulars and correspondence and, in due course, in the title deeds. Check the number of rooms and the area of the property, the terraces and the plot.

If there are any added rooms, terraces, a garage or a pool, you must check that planning permission was obtained. Alterations may require new title deeds for the whole property. This is, of course, a matter for a lawyer to pursue at a later date, but it does no harm to raise these issues now.

Parking is something that you should consider if you or other holidaymakers intend to use a car there. It is common for sellers to say that you can park on an undeveloped, adjoining plot of land or that there is street parking available. That adjoining plot may belong to someone else. Check that any parking spaces or garages you are told you can use can actually be used legally.         

View the property from outdoors

Check roof tiles are in place, that there is no sagging and that the roof has a waterproof membrane. Greenery on a roof is not a good sign. Note that many, especially older, properties on the Med do not have gutters and drainpipes. Check for water leaks from a flat roof. See that the walls are vertical and are not bulging. Check for cracks and damp patches on walls.

If there is a garden, see if it will need extensive and costly maintenance. See if there is a local gardener who will come in, and see what they will charge. Trees need to be considered, especially if they are olive and fruit trees which need maintenance.

If there is a pool, check it and the equipment rather than taking the seller's word that it works. A new swimming pool filtration system, for example, can cost several thousand euros. Look at the condition of the paving around the pool and study the pool's structure for any damage. Check how much it costs to maintain and empty and refill.                     

View the property from indoors

As a holiday home and/or let, you should consider the orientation of the property and how much sun it receives, especially in winter when North-facing properties can be cold, damp and dark. Check for cracks and damp patches on walls, especially inside cupboards and wardrobes built into the property. Make sure the doors and windows are sound and that they open and close properly. See that the floor is level and that any floor tiles are in a good condition.

See what furniture and fittings are included in the sale. Any appliances in the sale need to be checked to ensure these are in good working order. Be especially careful to check the supply of utilities in a rural property. If you do not have the utilities required, see if these can be installed and at what costs. Do not proceed on the seller's comments that they will be "installed next year". If there is a water supply, ensure it is clean. It is sensible to check wells and septic tanks.               

Look at the legalities regarding the land

Although boundary and similar issues are really for a specialist, it is worth looking at these matters at an inspection. You can also raise these with the seller or their agent. With a new property, you will need to check that the correct building permission was applied for and granted. It is not unknown, especially in Spain and more popular parts of the Costas, for more buildings to be constructed than have been permitted.

Look at the boundaries of the plot. Unfenced properties may have boundary disputes in waiting. You may find that additions to your property or adjoining properties encroach on each others' plots, for example. This is not unknown when a site has been developed rapidly.

You will also want to see if there are any rights of way over your land. In rural areas, see if the plot is part of the hunting area. Check whether your electricity and/or water supply is routed via another property and whether the owner has control over it.             

Other do's and don't's

Of course, an inspection is no substitute for a survey by a professional and additional legal checks by a lawyer. But if you are choosing to pursue perhaps one property from seven or eight viewed, your own inspection can help you shortlist the one or two that are worth investigating further.

Check what building regulations are in place for adjoining plots. Don't assume that an empty plot is someone's garden or wasteland. It may have planning permission for a large villa or an apartment block that will ruin your views and privacy.

Best advice for inspection trips? Bring a camcorder. You'll probably see lots of properties and they will soon start to merge together in your head. A video diary and a commentary are helpful. A notebook is essential to note down key points. You'll find it useful to have a checklist of your property-picking criteria so you can tick and comment accordingly for each property.