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.
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.
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.