Condo Inspection Checklist

How to use this guide

Use this resource to prepare observations and questions, not to approve or reject a property by itself. Record locations, patterns, odors, sounds, dates, and seller disclosures so a qualified professional has useful context.

Start with safety and active water concerns, then review structure, exterior drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interiors, and installed appliances.

Practical checklist

• Inspect visible unit interiors, plumbing fixtures, electrical components, HVAC equipment, windows, doors, balconies, and installed appliances within scope.
• Note signs that may originate from common roofs, walls, piping, drainage, or adjacent units.
• Review association budgets, reserves, minutes, insurance, assessments, litigation, maintenance plans, and engineering reports with qualified advisers.
• Clarify responsibility for windows, balconies, pipes, HVAC, water damage, and finishes.
• Check storage, parking, shared amenities, access, noise, ventilation, and life-safety information.

Questions worth asking

• Which common elements can the inspector access?
• Who is responsible for the observed component under the governing documents?
• Are major projects, assessments, claims, or deferred maintenance disclosed?
• How are water intrusion and shared-system repairs handled?
• Which documents need legal, financial, insurance, or engineering review?

Turn observations into decisions

Separate urgent safety issues from maintenance items and cosmetic defects. Ask for written scope, assumptions, exclusions, and price ranges from the appropriate professional. Your contract, contingency deadlines, local law, and risk tolerance determine what happens next.