Condo Inspection Checklist 2023

Getting a condo is never easy, especially if you want the best kind. Buyers might not be aware of the repercussions they will get when they finally buy a condo, especially if they aren’t familiar with what to look for in a condo inspection. You don’t want to experience buying a condo and finding out later that it has significant problems that may become too late to fix.

That is why buyers need to have a checklist to help them know which parts of the condo to look at and inspect. Most buyers hire a property management company to assist them with the home inspection process. Doing so can help determine whether the condo will be worth buying or not. Typically, when buyers purchase a condo without any knowledge of the several problems, they have no choice but to spend money to fix these issues.

Luckily, you have this article to guide you through a condo inspection. This checklist lets you determine which areas of the condo you need to keep an eye out for. Make sure to read every part of this checklist to avoid every kind of detrimental issue for you and the condo.

Checklist #1: Flooring and Ceiling

When you step into a room, you should look at the flooring for any issues. You may have seen many different types of problems with flooring and ceilings, such as dilapidated floors, paint coming off of the ceilings, cracks, spots, etc. These two need to be on the priority list of the areas where you need to inspect.

If the condo has wood flooring, checking for spaces between the flooring and the baseboards is critical. This flooring issue usually happens due to physical damage or leaks. At one point, you may need to replace the entire flooring if these issues are left unattended for quite some time. This would also mean costly repairs, giving you even more problems to think about.

Another issue that’s most likely to happen with the flooring is its tendency to slope. This is one of the many alarming issues when inspecting a condo because there are foundation issues. Water is also the other reason for floor joists to sag and slowly slope. You should check the plumbing pipes under the flooring since overflowing water can gradually damage the wood.

As for the ceiling, you can usually find cracks and paint coming off due to neglect and lack of maintenance. Maintenance personnel can remedy paint coming off of the ceiling with ease. But with cracks, that’s a sign of low building integrity. Some condos have wood ceilings, which can crack because of poor-quality wood or force applied to the surface.

Checklist #2: Plumbing

Once you finish inspecting the flooring and ceilings, the next area you need to conduct an inspection is the condo's plumbing system. This needs to work efficiently to ensure people living in the condo will have one of the necessities to live comfortably. You need to hire an experienced plumber for this inspection since most of the plumbing components are found behind surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and underneath the flooring.

The water heater is one part of the plumbing system that needs inspection. It may not provide hot water during cold weather because it lacks maintenance or repairs. The water heater could have a leak which could indicate worn out or broken parts leak, or it is outside of its lifecycle. Next is to check the fixtures, pipes, sink, and appliances for previous water damage. The last repairmen who worked on the issue might have done the job hurriedly, so inspecting them is crucial to prevent them from worsening.

Checklist #3: Kitchen and Washroom Areas

The kitchen and washroom inside the condos would need proper maintenance, especially if a previous tenant was occupying them. Anything can happen to the kitchen and restrooms, so it’s essential to inspect these areas. What you can do first is to check the cabinets and drawers if they open quickly. Previous tenants may have possibly damaged them over time and made the hinges loose.

You can also check the tub and shower areas for damaged caulking. It should not have any hollow spaces to prevent runoff water from seeping through and staying inside the gaps. It’s also best to check the fittings in both of these areas to check if they have any issues. The kitchen sink will also have caulking, so make sure you also inspect it. Not only will the water stay inside these gaps, but also food bits. Leaving them for a long time can cause cockroaches and other small insects to invade these areas.

Checklist #4: HVAC and Electrical System

Most condos nowadays have HVACs, completely replacing the old window-type AC. An HVAC needs proper maintenance, just like any other system in a condo. Every part of the HVAC has to work correctly to avoid unsuspecting issues from happening. A common problem that occurs in HVACs is with their thermostats. A faulty thermostat is a big issue, especially when the weather is too hot or too cold, and you need to set it to the right temperature. When you’re having the HVAC checked, the condos usually have an HVAC access door and panel for maintenance personnel to use. This lets them do their jobs more accessible and more efficiently.

Once the HVAC is appropriately inspected, head on over to the electrical system. Electrical problems are some of the many causes of house or building fires. Even something as small as an exposed electrical wire can already start a fire. It may create a fire faster when it’s near flammable materials and surfaces like wood flooring. Damaged electrical outlets should also need repairing as these can damage appliances when plugged in. This is a part of the checklist that you should not ignore.

Checklist #5: Windows and Doors

Doors and windows should firmly close and not leave any gaps. These gaps can cause air to go out, which is a problem when you’re keeping the interior warm or cold. They should also close completely to provide a sense of privacy. Sounds or noises that come from inside the condo should stay inside as much as possible to ensure absolute privacy.

Make sure to scrutinize the windows as mold might be present. You can determine if the windows have molds when you see spots slowly forming. Apart from the mold spots, the window should not have any squeaking noise when closing down. Usually, windows with hinges have this type of problem due to the hinges rusting over time. A simple solution for this issue is to use an anti-rust spray.

Look for moisture or fogging that appears to be inside the window.  What this means is the thermal barrier of the window is broken.  If this happens to the window, it will no longer be efficient.  On top of that, no matter how much Windex you put on it, it will not become clear glass again.  When this happens, you can typically higher a local class company to replace the panels of glass rather than the entire window.  Having a window or multiple windows with broken thermal barriers can quickly add up to be an expensive undertaking.

Checklist #6: Condo Exterior

Making the exterior condo look good is just as essential, aside from maintaining internal systems. The building should have a fresh coat of paint every time. Not only will this make the exterior appealing, but the paint protects the surface from getting damaged easily. The landscape needs to be taken care of as well. There’s nothing better than seeing a beautiful and well-maintained landscape every morning. A beautiful landscape can help lift a person’s mood. Adding stone walkways or benches on the landscape can create a space where people can relax and take some time to destress after a tiring day.

Ensure that you follow this checklist whenever you’re planning to rent a condo or buy one. This will help you decide which areas need work on the most and efficiently budget your expenses. And when you’re looking for one, following this checklist will help you do the inspections faster.

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