A landed house can include multiple floors, staircases, outdoor spaces and building components that are not present in a typical apartment. A structured checklist helps professional inspectors cover the agreed scope and record visible defects by location.
1. Internal rooms
Inspect bedrooms, living areas, dining areas and other accessible rooms for:
- Wall cracks, stains, scratches and paint defects.
- Ceiling damage and uneven finishes.
- Flooring chips, cracks and noticeable unevenness.
- Damaged doors, windows, frames and hardware.
- Incomplete skirting and junction finishes.
2. Kitchen and bathrooms
Check cabinets, countertops, sanitary fittings, tiles, grout and accessible plumbing connections. Record visible damage, gaps, loose fittings and signs of leakage where observed.
3. Staircases and landings
- Inspect visible stair finishes for chips, cracks and damaged edges.
- Check installed handrails and balustrades for visible damage or looseness.
- Record uneven finishes and incomplete junctions.
- Do not perform unsafe loading tests or assume structural adequacy from a visual inspection.
4. External walls and entrances
Where accessible and included in the scope, inspect visible external finishes, entrance doors, window frames and surface junctions.
Record cracks, paint defects, damaged finishes and visible gaps. Distinguish observations from conclusions about the underlying cause.
5. Roof and ceiling access
Inspect accessible areas within the agreed scope. Record visible staining, damaged finishes and signs that may warrant further assessment.
Do not access unsafe roof areas or enter restricted spaces. Specialist roof or structural assessments may require different procedures.
6. Outdoor areas and drainage
Check accessible driveways, patios, walkways, surface finishes and visible drainage components. Record cracks, damaged surfaces, obstructions and observed water accumulation.
7. Organise findings by floor
For multi-storey homes, identify the floor, room and component in each report entry. A floorplan or location reference can help prevent confusion between similar rooms.
Frequently asked questions
Is a landed house inspection different from a condominium inspection?
It may cover additional areas such as staircases, outdoor spaces and accessible external finishes, depending on the agreed scope.
Does a visual inspection confirm that the roof is waterproof?
No. A visual inspection can document accessible observations but may not establish the condition of concealed roof components.
Should outdoor defects be included?
Include them when they fall within the service scope and are safely accessible.
Conclusion
A landed house inspection benefits from a checklist organised by floor, room and external area. Clear location references and photographic evidence help make the final report more useful for clients.
