Spot the problem: viewing day

1. A fresh patch of paint on the ceiling. A neat square of new paint can cover a stain from a leak above. Ask the seller what it was. Mention it to your surveyor too.
2. A cabinet pushed tight against the wall. Big furniture can hide damp patches or mould behind it. Ask if you can see behind it. If there's a mark, point it out to your surveyor.
3. Air fresheners in every socket. Lots of scent can cover a smell of damp, pets or drains. Come back for a second viewing at a different time of day and trust your nose.
4. A crack running up from the window. Cracks running at an angle from a window corner are worth a closer look. Many are harmless. Some mean the house has moved. Point it out to your surveyor. They can say whether it needs a structural engineer.
5. Single glazing. One pane loses far more heat than two, which shows in the running costs. Check the home's energy certificate, which lists the windows. A glazier can quote for new ones if it matters to you.
6. An old fuse box. An old fuse box with wire fuses can mean the wiring is old too. Ask when the electrics were last checked. An electrician can test them with an electrical safety check.
7. A tall plant with stems like bamboo. It could be Japanese knotweed, which spreads fast and is hard to get rid of. Sellers are asked about it when they sell. Ask the seller. Point it out to your surveyor, or a knotweed specialist can tell you for sure.
8. A tired flat roof. Puddles and cracks on a felt roof can mean it's near the end of its life. Ask how old it is. A roofer can tell you how long it has left.

Only looks wrong: a vent high on the wall. That vent is there on purpose. It lets the room breathe and keeps condensation down.