this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2026
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Iβm looking at buying an apartment for my own living needs. Itβs my first time doing this. What sort of things should I be looking for during inspections and what questions should I ask?
During inspections: mould, air con or lack thereof, floor coverings, number and location of electrical outlets, orientation of exterior windows, internet connection points, locks and security (recent replacement is sus), hot water supply, laundry facilities, cupboard space, storage cage (recent lock damage is sus). Also, will you need help to get fridge etc. up any stairs or is there a lift.
During pre-inspection data collection: owners corp and annual fees, insurance costs, rates ditto, access to public transport/parking. Also floor plan WITH MEASUREMENTS which are never quite accurate but do give a good idea of what furniture you'll need. If you bike around town, is there secure parking? Also, who cleans out gutters, washes windows and maintains the common areas (stairwells, parking garage etc.) and bbq area if you are lucky. Call me ultra picky, but I'd also look up whether the location is included in a flood plan, bushfire plan etc. Not so important if renting, but purchasing you need to know this sort of thing for insurance purposes.
Thanks for the detailed list! How can I find the owners corp and annual fee, do I have to ask the agent or is there a site?
Main place I'm looking at is in West Footscray, and I've been living around here for 10 years now. Happy with the locale and it's close to P/T and I can walk to work π
Ask the agent, they should have this on tap. If they don't, then nope out of there, as they don't want to tell you because the sum total will be horrendous. And may not include any capital outlay on whole building renovations etc. The 2022 renovations may have been to replace flammable cladding - ask if this has been fully paid for or the cost is still being amortized through annual fees and how long this will be going on for.
If apartment passes all other tests, then do a drive by (or bike by) in the middle of a weekday, and half way through the evening on weekends. Maybe late evening too. This is to look for sketchy passers by and/or get the general vibe of the place. Also look for food/coffee purchasing opportunities nearby. And by that I mean within walking distance. Safe walking distance.
Read the section 32 and body corp minutes to see if there's major works that've been delayed. Could easily be some massive major issue that's been kicked down the road for the next person to deal with. Once enough original tenants have left suddenly everyone needs to find $30k to chip in to fix the problem.
I wouldn't touch anything with south facing windows. I've live in too many places and south facing windows make my brain sad. I'd rather deal with the western suns heat.
Don't buy anything brand new. Use the net to get every prior listing available, photo angles, different paint colours etc. do the same with every adjoining unit you can find. Floor plan! Check it. Asbestos, insulation, heritage fixtures. Flood & fire council maps. Read the last sets of board minutes you do not want Hyacinth Bucket running your life. Are there any pending Special assessments? Think about weather at the opposite end of the year to when you view it. Light angles. Smoking & pet rules.
I wouldn't buy an apartment in a new building. The prices are so inflated and construction iffy.
Google Maps shows the building I'm eyeing having existed since 2014. I can see scaffolding on the 2022 photos, seems to have had some exterior work done to the whole complex.
I'd buy something from the 1960s
Mould, damp, or roof leaks! And crazy neighbours
Is the aircon new, carpet or floorboards (go floorboards), is there an owners corp, do the fire escapes experience faeces and/or urine on a regular basis