How to Spot a Poorly Maintained Property Before You Offer

• A musty smell, or fresh paint applied only to patches of a wall or ceiling.
• Hairline cracks near doors and windows, or a door that no longer closes properly.
• An old boiler with no visible service record nearby.
• Guttering that overflows, or plants growing close to the base of a wall.

None of these confirm a serious problem on their own, but together they are worth asking about directly.

Ask the seller or agent what work has been carried out in the last few years, and who did it. A vague answer, or one with no names or dates, is worth treating as a gap rather than assuming nothing happened.

A viewing cannot replace a survey. For an older property, or one where you have any doubts, a HomeBuyer Report or full Building Survey gives a qualified surveyor's assessment rather than a first impression.

If the property has a Propvio passport, its Trust Score gives a quick, at-a-glance summary built from confirmed jobs, certificate status, and tradesperson ratings. Search the address at propvio.co.uk/find before you offer.