Viewings and testing lights, taps, windows etc

DepositSaver

I've read a lot of advice about viewings which includes suggestions to turn on taps and lights, to open windows, to turn on the cooker, to flush toilets and various other things. I completely understand why these things are suggested and would definitely want to follow the advice on anywhere I was viewing, however I am curious as to whether these are things a vendor would be expecting me to do? Do most buyers do such thorough tests or just some? If the vendors are going to think I'm weird I guess I'd like to be prepared for that reaction.

thelem

Probably not on a first viewing, but they should expect this sort of inspection (within reason) for a second viewing.

DepositSaver

thelem wrote: »

Probably not on a first viewing, but they should expect this sort of inspection (within reason) for a second viewing.

Thank you, that makes sense, as if I'm going for a second viewing I'm obviously very interested in the property/probably considering making an offer.

witchy1066

why would you need to turn on the cooker, if you are buying it then fair enough, once you make an offer and its accepted then ok , but on a viewing certainly not, if they are leaving it , ask if it works , if it doesn't you have lost nothing

why turn on the lights ? I don't understand what this would tell you other than the bulb works,

again why flush the toilet , I would presume the house has running water unless you are buying a complete doer upper , if so why check anything you would assume nothing works,

what would opening the windows tell you , oh its a window and it opens,

I would be more worried about looking at the electric box to see if its really old , old fashioned switches are a good sign of this,
look for any water marks , signs of damp,
rotted wood again signs of damp,
uneven floors could be a sign of subsidence ,
really bad DIY jobs are a good sign that you will have to spend money redoing all the botch jobs

and its a good idea to look at the windows to see if the double glazing is of a good standard , and no failed units ,

DepositSaver

witchy1066 wrote: »

why would you need to turn on the cooker, if you are buying it then fair enough, once you make an offer and its accepted then ok , but on a viewing certainly not, if they are leaving it , ask if it works , if it doesn't you have lost nothing

why turn on the lights ? I don't understand what this would tell you other than the bulb works,

again why flush the toilet , I would presume the house has running water unless you are buying a complete doer upper , if so why check anything you would assume nothing works,

what would opening the windows tell you , oh its a window and it opens,

I would be more worried about looking at the electric box to see if its really old , old fashioned switches are a good sign of this,
look for any water marks , signs of damp,
rotted wood again signs of damp,
uneven floors could be a sign of subsidence ,
really bad DIY jobs are a good sign that you will have to spend money redoing all the botch jobs

and its a good idea to look at the windows to see if the double glazing is of a good standard , and no failed units ,

Turning on the cooker, and lights, opening windows flushing toilets and many other things are on Martin Lewis list of things to check (in the 50 house buying tips section I think), and at least a couple of other checklists which include testing lights, taps and windows. The toilet and taps were to check the plumbing works and the water pressure is acceptable, opening windows was to check that they do open and aren't stuck shut. As a FTB I am very wary about making the biggest purchase of my life and then having to spend lots to fix problems. I wouldn't buy a car without giving it a thorough test drive and probably getting someone more knowledgable than me about car mechanics to give it a check over.

dimbo61

So you get in a car and drive what 4/5 miles with a man from the garage!
Not quite the same as a full RAC/AA inspection is it?
Same with a house do you know what an RCB is and what is old/modern wiring, light switches, sockets etc!
Me I would check out HOW MANY sockets are in every bedroom, lounge,kitchen, garage etc
Does the property look well kept? Full double glazing , plastic sofits and guttering etc

DepositSaver

dimbo61 wrote: »

So you get in a car and drive what 4/5 miles with a man from the garage!
Not quite the same as a full RAC/AA inspection is it?
Same with a house do you know what an RCB is and what is old/modern wiring, light switches, sockets etc!
Me I would check out HOW MANY sockets are in every bedroom, lounge,kitchen, garage etc
Does the property look well kept? Full double glazing , plastic sofits and guttering etc

Sorry, I don't quite follow? A 4/5 mile test drive wouldn't be the same as a full RAC/AA inspection, but I would get the see that the engine switches on, feel how well the brakes work, hear any strange noises, feel anything odd about the steering. With a house, I wouldn't be trying to do a full structural survey myself (ie the equivalent of an RAC/AA inspection), just checking that things work. I obviously wouldn't be making a judgement on things which need expert knowledge, such as electrics, but I am perfectly capable of checking whether a window is stuck shut.

I take it from the responses I have had that despite various advice about testing and checking all sorts of things when on a second viewing, it isn't actually the norm for most people to check these things?

DRP

It is a good idea IMO, but unusual to check *everything*.

Therefore I would probably do this at the second viewing after warning the vendor in advance.

hcb42

DepositSaver wrote: »

I've read a lot of advice about viewings which includes suggestions to turn on taps and lights, to open windows, to turn on the cooker, to flush toilets and various other things. I completely understand why these things are suggested and would definitely want to follow the advice on anywhere I was viewing, however I am curious as to whether these are things a vendor would be expecting me to do? Do most buyers do such thorough tests or just some? If the vendors are going to think I'm weird I guess I'd like to be prepared for that reaction.

Taps - do the vendors look unwashed?
Lights, go around at night.
Cooker - I would think you were weird
Toilets - is the bathroom overflowing?

I would not appreciate this sort of behaviour, ridiculous advice for most houses

HiToAll

hcb42 wrote: »

Taps - do the vendors look unwashed?
Lights, go around at night.
Cooker - I would think you were weird
Toilets - is the bathroom overflowing?

I would not appreciate this sort of behaviour, ridiculous advice for most houses

What? So me insisting on having a bath, cooking a roast dinner, and peering through the windows at 10pm was a bit weird when I looked at the last house I was buying:)

I_have_spoken

You def. want to turn on the hot tap and override the C/H to make sure the boiler works.

Certainly look for any signs of persistent coming water from overflows, gutters etc. with staining on the outside walls. Flushing the loo is OTT IMHO!

I'd ask the vendors if they had keys to the window locks and show one opening and then locking. Signs of mould around windows and rotten sills could indicate persistent damp in the house.