A room-by-room, roof-to-fence inspection list to catch defects before you buy or rent — tick as you inspect, progress saves in your browser, and print a copy to bring along.
💾 Ticks save in this browser only — print the blank list before you leave and inspect on paper if you prefer.
Key takeaways:
A property inspection checklist is a structured walk-through guide that turns "does this place feel okay?" into a systematic check of the things that actually cause expensive problems — roof condition, drainage, cracking, wet-area issues, and old wiring. Real estate agents style a home to feel good in fifteen minutes; a checklist forces you to look past that.
It's not a substitute for a licensed building and pest inspection, but it's how you decide which properties are worth paying for that professional report on — and it doubles as a pre-lease condition check for renters.
| This checklist | Professional building & pest report | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | A few hundred dollars |
| Roof cavity / subfloor | Not accessible safely | Inspected directly |
| Termite evidence | Visible signs only | Specialist assessment |
| Best used for | Shortlisting multiple properties | Final due diligence before offer |
Amateurs look at the kitchen benchtops; professionals look up and down. Up: ceiling corners and cornices for water stains (roof leaks), sagging plaster, and fresh paint patches that might be hiding something. Down: floors that slope or bounce, skirting gaps, and the stumps or slab edge outside. Bring your phone — turn on its torch for dark corners and under sinks, and take photos of anything questionable so you can compare between properties and show a builder later.
Run every tap and flush every toilet (water pressure and drainage problems are expensive), open every window (painted-shut or dropped sashes), and check the switchboard: old ceramic fuses instead of safety switches usually means dated wiring throughout. None of this replaces a professional building and pest report on a home you're serious about — this checklist is how you decide which homes are worth paying to inspect professionally.
Use this checklist during an open home or inspection to note the roof, walls, floors, wet areas, electrical and plumbing, and the documents to request. It helps you compare properties on the same points.
A checklist does not replace a professional building and pest inspection. Arrange one before you commit to buying.
What should I check when inspecting a property?
Roof, structure, damp, wet areas, electrical, plumbing, fences and the paperwork. The checklist above lists them.
Do I still need a building and pest inspection?
Yes. This checklist is a first look. A licensed inspector gives a professional report.
What are the biggest red flags in a property inspection?
Water stains on ceilings, stepped or diagonal cracking in brickwork, sloping floors, mould smell, fresh paint on one isolated patch, and doors or windows that don't close cleanly — the last often signals movement in the structure.
Are hairline cracks in walls serious?
Fine, straight hairline cracks in plaster are usually cosmetic settling. Cracks wider than a couple of millimetres, diagonal cracks from door and window corners, or stepped cracking in brick mortar deserve a structural opinion.
How long should an inspection take?
A serious private inspection takes 30–60 minutes. A 15-minute open home is only enough for first impressions — book a second, longer visit before making an offer, ideally on a rainy day when leaks and drainage reveal themselves.
Does this replace a building and pest report?
No — this checklist helps you shortlist and negotiate, but a licensed inspector checks the roof cavity, subfloor, and termite evidence you can't safely access. Always get the professional report before an unconditional purchase.
Can I use this for a rental inspection?
Absolutely — it doubles as a condition check before you sign a lease, and the printed copy annotated with photos is useful evidence for your entry condition report.
Is there a free printable property inspection checklist template?
Yes — tick items here and use the Download PDF button for a clean, section-by-section printable copy, or Print / Save as PDF to send straight to your printer.
Can I email this inspection checklist to myself or an agent?
Yes — the Email button opens your mail app with your findings pre-filled as text. Attach the downloaded PDF for the fully formatted version.
What should I bring to a property inspection?
Your phone (torch and camera), this checklist loaded on it, comfortable shoes for the roof cavity or subfloor if accessible, and a notepad — or just type notes straight into the checklist as you go.
What's the difference between this and a professional building inspection report?
This is a buyer's shortlisting tool — free, fast, and covers what you can see. A licensed inspector's report covers roof cavities, subfloors and technical structural assessment you can't safely check yourself, and is what lenders and serious offers rely on.