Fractional ownership property inspection checklist

The short answer: Twenty-item checklist for the pre-purchase property viewing: structure, fixtures, finishes, systems, exterior, neighbourhood. Inspect at least twice across different times of day. Photograph everything for your own record.

The full inspection checklist

Structure (5 items)

1. Walk every room — pay attention to corners, ceiling joins, cracks, settling signs
2. Check paint finishes throughout — crisp and consistent vs visible touch-ups
3. Inspect floor finishes — wear patterns, scratches, evenness
4. Check window frames and exterior walls for moisture damage
5. Look at door alignment — settling can produce misaligned doors over decades

Fixtures and finishes (5 items)

6. Kitchen cabinetry — open every drawer and cupboard; check hinges, soft-close mechanisms
7. Kitchen appliances — turn on every major appliance to verify working order
8. Bathroom fixtures — taps, showers, toilets all flush properly
9. Soft furnishings — sofas, beds, linens, towels; check for wear
10. Lighting — every fixture working, including outdoor lighting

Systems (4 items)

11. HVAC — turn on heating and cooling; verify both work; check thermostat responsiveness
12. Hot water — run at multiple taps simultaneously; verify pressure and temperature
13. Internet and WiFi — verify speed and coverage throughout the property
14. Security — alarm system, smart locks, security cameras (where present)

Exterior and grounds (3 items)

15. Roof condition — visible from outside; missing tiles or visible weather damage
16. Façade integrity — exterior walls, render, paintwork, visible cracks
17. Garden and grounds — maintenance level, pool condition where applicable, paths and patios

Owner-specific (3 items)

18. Owner's closet — ask to see one; check size, security, organisation
19. Storage spaces — outdoor storage, garage where applicable, additional storage for owner items
20. Neighbourhood — walk surrounding streets at different times (day, evening) to sense the atmosphere

How to conduct the inspection

Three practical tips. First, inspect at least twice across different times of day if possible — daytime light vs evening atmosphere reveals different things. Second, take photographs of everything — a handy record of the home as you first saw it. Third, bring a notebook and check off each item as you go — easy to forget specifics across a 2-3 hour viewing.

What to ask the on-property manager during the viewing

Five questions during the visit. When was the last major refresh of kitchen / bathroom / soft furnishings? What's scheduled in the next 12 months? Any current maintenance items waiting for attention? Any operational issues that have come up in the past year? How long has the on-property team been in place?

What you're trying to assess overall

Three things the inspection tells you. First, current condition — is the property well-maintained as of today? Second, maintenance discipline — does it look like the company catches small issues before they become large ones? Third, on-property team quality — does the manager seem knowledgeable, organised, owner-oriented?

What great maintenance looks like

Five signs of a well-run home. Crisp, consistent paintwork. Soft furnishings fresh and matching, refreshed on schedule. Every appliance and system working perfectly. A well-kept exterior and garden. An on-property manager who knows every recent job by heart.

What to photograph

A full set of photos helps you compare homes and keeps a record for later. Photograph: every room from multiple angles; close-ups of any specific wear or damage; kitchen and bathroom finishes; exterior from multiple angles; pool and grounds; owner's closet (if you're shown one); any obvious maintenance items.

What buyers should ask after the inspection

Three follow-up questions to the company. Items I noticed during the inspection that look like maintenance items — are these in the planned work for the next 12 months? Can you share the property's specific maintenance history over the past 3-5 years? What is the on-property manager's contract length and tenure?

Where to find listings with viewing programmes

Co-Ownership Property's selection includes companies who offer comprehensive pre-purchase property viewings as standard.

Further reading

• Can I see the property before buying?
• How do I know the property is well-maintained?
• What due diligence should I do?

Related questions

• Can I see the property before I buy a share?
• How do I know if a fractional property is well-maintained?
• What due diligence should I do before buying a fractional share?
• Is a fractional property fully furnished?