Before the viewing: the papers

Ask for these from the start. A serious owner has them at hand.

• The land register extract (recent). Read three things: that the seller really is the owner in part II, that the area matches the listing, and that part III shows no mortgages, seizures or lawsuits.
• The energy certificate. It is required when selling or renting. The class tells you what you will pay for heating.
• The year built and the permit. If the building is old, ask whether it has a seismic assessment and which risk class it received.
• The owners' association. Ask for a statement that the apartment has no maintenance debt and what works are planned in the building.

In the apartment

1. Water. Open the taps, in the bathroom and the kitchen, for at least a minute. Check the pressure and how fast the hot water arrives.
2. Damp. Look at the ceiling corners, behind furniture and around the windows. Stains, peeling paint or a musty smell mean leaks or condensation.
3. Installations. Try every socket, switch on the lights, look at the electrical panel. Ask when the pipes and wiring were replaced.
4. Windows and doors. Do they close properly? Can you hear the street with the windows shut?
5. Heating. How the apartment is heated (own boiler, district heating, building system) and what it cost last winter.
6. Light. Which way the windows face and what is in front of them. If you can, come back at another time of day.

In the building and the area

• The stairwell and hall. Cleanliness and smell say a lot about how the building is run. Read the notices on the board.
• Parking. Where you park, what it costs and whether there is room in the evening.
• Noise. Come at 6–7 pm and, if you can, on a weekend evening. A quiet apartment at noon can be loud at night.
• Transport, school, shops. Walk the route and time it.

What to ask

The owner: why are you selling? How long have you owned it? What was the biggest yearly expense? Is the price negotiable? What stays in the apartment?

The neighbours: are there problems with leaks, the lift or the administrator? How noisy is the building? Do tenants change often?

The administrator: how big is the repair fund, what works are coming and what debts does the association have?

Warning signs

• The owner avoids showing the papers or cannot be reached to sign.
• The price is far below the market, with no clear reason.
• You are asked for a large deposit before a pre-contract, or without a document.
• The apartment has structural changes (removed walls) without a permit.
• The building has large debts or necessary works put off for years.

After the viewing

Write down what you saw and what it costs right away, and compare at least two apartments with the same list. Then work out the real cost of the loan in the mortgage calculator and compare it with renting in the rent or buy calculator.

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General information. For documents and clauses, consult a notary or a lawyer.