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.
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.