You can use the below inspection checklist as a helpful guide as you go to open or private property inspections for apartments. However a lot of it is also relevant for other types of properties such as houses, villas and townhouses too. The below features a comprehensive list of things to check as you walkthrough the property room by room.

A good property/building inspector is worth their weight in gold, however it never hurts to do your best to cover the basic inspections of a property so you know you are happy to move forward in hiring a property inspector and making a purchase offer.

What to look for during an apartment inspection

Useful items to bring to an apartment inspection

• Measuring tape
• Phone charger to test if all the powerpoints work

Living room checklist

• Can the living room fit all the furniture in the space?
  • TV and entertainment console (TV stand)
  • Couch / sofa (consider the size you are getting)
  • Coffee table
  • Depending on the apartment layout, you may need to consider if you also need to fit a dining table in this space
• Can you arrange the furniture in the way I want with the space I have?
  • Tip: Check the placements of the antennae port and powerpoint outlets
• Condition of the room (floor, walls and ceiling)
• Lights turn on/off
• Consider if it is currently floorboard or carpet and if you wish to change it (account for the cost)
  • Check for creaks by walking over the floorboards. You should also check to see if any have started coming up at the edges.
• Condition of curtains / blinds installed
• Natural light / direct sunlight in living room

Kitchen checklist

• Dishwasher: works, signs of any wear and tear or leaks?
• Open and close all kitchen windows and kitchen appliance doors to make sure they function properly and smoothly
• lights turn on/off
• Test the appliances and see if they work
• Cabinet space
• Does the fridge space fit the fridge size you have or expect to buy?

Kitchen stove

• Is the kitchen stove gas/induction or other?
• Check if the exhaust fan / rangehood in the kitchen works and check if it is powerful

Kitchen sink

• Consider if the size of the sink makes it easy to wash everyday
• Check to see if the sinks have rounded corners. Sharp corners of the sink allows easy build up of mould and is difficult to clean
• Check the water tap pressure and how long it takes for you wash up

Considerations for the kitchen

If you plan to cook often at home, consider the amount of bench top space there is for food preparation and any additional appliances you may purchase such as microwave, toasters, air fryer, rice cooker and other appliance.

If you love to cook and entertain guests, make sure you have ample bench top space for all the food you will be making.

Bathroom inspection checklist

• Overall condition
• Wear and tear
• Mould
• Leakages
• Any other potential damages or fixes that may be necessary to account for that you will need to factor into your overall property buying costs and negotiation.

Shower

• Showerhead
• Type of shower drain: linear drain / point drain
• Showerhead pressure
• Turn on showerhead and check if the slope of the floor allows for effective drainage
• How long it takes for hot water to get to the shower?
• Condition of walls (mould, seal breaking)

Toilet

• Flushing works
• Leaks behind and around the toilet
• After flushing is there continuous running water on the inside of the bowl?
• Is toilet lid firmly secure or loose?
• Toilet roll holder and location

Sink / wash basin

• Water pressure
• Leakage around the tap whilst water in running
• Check if constant dripping after turning the tap off
• Check how long hot water takes to get to the sink
• Check for leaks underneath / behind the sink
• Check for any cracks or corrosion

Bathroom vanity cabinets

• Do all doors close and open properly?
• Check if opening the bathroom cabinets hit the ventilation fan
• Mirror

General bathroom inspection checks

• Towel rack
• Powerpoints and location
• Strength of the ventilation fan
• Turn lights on/off
• Try running water in both the sink and shower and flushing to see if the water pressure drops significantly
• Check if opening and closing the window open and shuts smoothly

Bedroom inspection checklist

Size and layout

• Measure the dimensions of the bedroom to ensure it will accommodate your furniture and meet your space requirements.
  • Bed / bedbase
  • Bedside tables
  • Wardrobes
• Consider the bedroom’s layout to see if it allows for the optimal furniture arrangement.
  • Where do you want to place the bed?
  • Where is it in relation to the windows and door?
  • Where is it in relation to the other furniture and fixtures such as wardrobes?

Bedroom orientation and natural light

• Test curtains/blinds to ensure they work properly
• Assess the amount of natural light the bedroom receives, as well as the view from the windows. A good tip is to switch off any lights that isn’t natural in the room so you know how much natural light it really gets.
• Consider privacy with curtains/blinds open and whether you are comfortable with the exposure

Wardrobe / Closet space

• Check the size and functionality of the closet to ensure they meet your storage needs or whether you need to install a built-in or buy your own standalone wardrobe
• Think about whether there is enough space for your storage and organisational needs, including dressers, shelves, or other furniture

Walls and ceilings

• Look for any cracks, water stains, mold, or signs of damage on the walls and ceilings
• Check for signs of recent paint or repairs that could be hiding issues
• Some properties during inspections may try and hide damages or any signs of defects using furniture, hanging painting on the wall or cover up the entire wall with wallpaper

Flooring

• Examine the condition of the flooring (carpet, hardwood, laminate, etc.) for any damage or wear and tear.

Electrical outlets

• Ensure there are enough electrical outlets for your needs
• Test light switches and fixtures to make sure they are in working order
• Do you like to watch tv in your bed? have a lamp on your bedside table to read? You may want to check if there is an antennae port and the location of the electrical powerpoint outlets to ensure appropriate cable management and minimise trip hazards

Ventilation

• Ensure that there is proper ventilation in the bedroom to prevent issues like mold and mildew. Some real estate agents would try and mask issues with mold and mildew by opening up all windows and doors they have available prior to inspection, to air out the musty odor of dampness and mold.
• Check windows and doors close fully and properly for when you run heating and cooling units for energy efficiency purposes.

Heating and cooling

• Check if the bedroom has its own heating and cooling source (e.g. a radiator/heater, or air conditioning unit).
• Verify that these systems are functioning correctly

Noise and privacy

• Pay attention to noise levels from outside and neighboring properties
• Assess the level of privacy the bedroom offers

Access and mobility

• Consider how easy it is to access the bedroom, especially if you have mobility concerns or heavy furniture.

Pest infestations

• Look for signs of pests such as rodents or insects, such as droppings or damaged areas.

Laundry checklist

• Ventilation is present
• Adequate space for the washing machine size you plan to buy
• Powerpoint outlets

Common area (Outside your apartment)

• Overall condition (Floor, walls, ceiling)
• Placement of the garbage chute
• Does it smell?
• Cleanliness and ask how often the common areas get cleaned
• Number of elevators
• Do you need to take stairs daily to get into your apartment?

Building facilities

• Gym
• Pool
• BBQ
• Courtyards
• Shared workspaces

Other

• Number of visitor parking spots
  • Do you need to book / reserve visitor parking when you need it?
• Do you have a onsite/offsite building manager?
• Ask if any ledges outside your windows are managed by you or strata, and how often do they clean
• Test the heating/cooling systems
• Check for soggy/puddle areas in the backyard if on the ground floor
• Look at school districts in the area if kids are on the cards any time soon
• Sniff for musty smells in closets that can indicate mould
• If near noisy outdoor areas (trains, highways, high traffic roads, air flight path), check to see if noise insulation is good when doors and windows are closed
• Look for any cracks, stains, or sagging on walls inside and out
• Open and close any blinds as older sets can stick

Tips for apartment inspections

• Ask the agent question: It’s important to have questions to ask the real estate agent. You can also do this by calling them before you go to the inspection as well
• Video record on your phone: Ask the real estate agent if you can video record during open inspections, usually they are accommodating unless there is an existing tenant living there to take into consideration. A video recording can really help jog your memory of a particular apartment unit you inspected after a whole day of inspections.
• Ask for a private inspection: If you are interested in the property after a first round of open inspections, ask for a private inspection as the second round. This is where you can look at the property and take your time to inspect everything again to make sure you have not missed anything.
• Ask to see the building facilities and carpark: The facilities and carpark of the apartment block can be a great way to see if the overall property is being maintained by strata management.
• Ask a neighbour: If you bump into a neighbour during your inspection, this can be a great way to ask about their experiences living in the building, just ask if they are comfortable sharing first.
• Check during different times of day: Open apartment inspections are usually done during the most ideal times of day. It will be a good idea to check in your own time the following if you are serious about making an offer: Weekday/weekend peak hour traffic and evening times. See if noise levels and traffic levels are within your tolerance.