Before you view
There’s a lot to take in when you look around a house. You’re working out whether you like it, where your furniture would go and whether it could be your next home. It’s easy to leave with questions you meant to ask.
Houzera is a free UK house-viewing guide app. It gives you a simple order to follow, reminders of things to look at and somewhere to keep your notes and photos. Use as much or as little of it as you need.
We’re testing Houzera with buyers. .
Front outside · Rear outside · Inside · Services · Loft
While you’re waiting for the agent, take a look at the front of the house from a safe spot. Start with the chimney and roof, then work down past the gutters, walls and windows.
Ask to go around the back as well. You’ll see parts of the house that aren’t visible from the front, including any extensions. It’s also a chance to get a feel for the garden and surroundings.
Take your time with the rooms. Think about the layout, light and how you’d use the space. The prompts are there to remind you to look beyond the furniture at things such as windows, walls and ceilings.
Looking outside first helps put the rooms into context—you may recognise an extension or have a question about something you noticed earlier.
You don’t need to know the technical terms. Point out what you’ve noticed and ask whether the owner knows anything about it. Ask about the boiler, any changes to the electrics and where the water stopcock is.
“Could we have a look at the front and back first, then go through the rooms?”
Let the agent know what matters to you, listen to their answers and ask for time to make a note or take a photo.
Don’t open hatches or set up ladders yourself. Ask the owner or agent to arrange access and confirm it is safe before considering a look. Only look from a safe position with permission; don’t climb into the roof space.
It isn’t unusual for estate agents not to be allowed to use loft ladders or open loft hatches. If the agent or owner cannot provide safe access, leave the loft inspection to your surveyor.
Record anything you liked, questions left unanswered and areas you want checked. Ask permission before taking photographs. A few notes made at the time can be useful when comparing properties or speaking to your surveyor or solicitor later.
You don’t have to follow every prompt. Leave yourself time to look around and decide how you feel about the place.
Houzera is a viewing companion. It cannot confirm a property’s condition or replace an independent survey or legal checks.
New viewing
Start with an address or nickname, choose an approximate age and house type, then note or flag anything to follow up.
Viewing aid only: Houzera does not inspect or diagnose a home. Arrange an independent survey before you commit to buying.
Tap a + to open a short prompt. Skip anything you can’t safely see.
Keep it to the listing, sale and what the agent knows or can check.
Your home search
Add a home, note what you saw and return to your follow-up questions later.
After the viewing
Review your notes side by side. Houzera keeps your observations together; the decision stays yours.
Quick tips
Choose who is with you. Ask only what feels useful; save anything to follow up later.
Level 2: a visual inspection and report on the main elements and visible defects, often suited to conventional homes in reasonable condition. It gives condition ratings and some repair or maintenance advice, but not detailed repair instructions.
Level 3: a more detailed assessment of construction, defects, likely causes, repair options and future maintenance. Ask about it for older, altered, unusual or visibly poor-condition homes.
Both depend on safe access. If a loft or another area cannot be inspected safely, the surveyor records that limit. Discuss the property and your concerns with the surveyor before choosing.
It is commissioned for the lender to assess the property as loan security. Depending on the lender and case, it may use online or desktop information, an external visit, or an internal inspection.
Even when someone visits, it is not a buyer-focused condition report. Do not assume the loft or every defect has been checked, or that you will get repair advice. Arrange your own survey.
For extensions and loft conversions, ask the owner whether planning permission and Building Regulations approval were obtained.
For a conservatory, ask when it was added and whether any guarantees are available.
Flag any concerns for your surveyor and leave detailed paperwork checks to your conveyancer.
Adapted from UK home-viewing and survey guidance. The prompts help you ask; they do not diagnose defects.
Your viewing names, notes and photos stay in this browser on this device. Clearing browser data removes them. Feedback is sent privately to Houzera; avoid including names, addresses or other personal details.
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