Viewing an apartment in Morocco: the 40-point checklist

A viewing often lasts less than thirty minutes, yet it decides a purchase worth several hundred thousand dirhams. With a checklist, you compare properties objectively and spot what will cost a lot after buying. Print this checklist; it is for step 4 of the process described in the 12 steps of buying property.

The area (before you even go in)

• Real journey time to work and schools at rush hour
• Shops, pharmacy, transport within walking distance
• Noise: busy road, café, building site, school
• Street parking
• Atmosphere in the evening and at weekends
• Projects under way nearby (empty plot, building site)

Compare with our prices by area benchmarks and the city guides.

The building and common parts

• Condition of the facade, balconies, roof if accessible
• Lobby, stairwell, lighting, cleanliness
• Lift: present, condition, maintenance
• Intercom, gate, security
• Signs of leaks in the common parts
• Parking: access, allocated space or not
• An active building manager

The apartment, room by room

• Orientation and light at the time of the viewing
• Overlooking from the main rooms
• Walls and ceilings: cracks, damp stains, suspiciously fresh paint
• Floors: cracked or hollow-sounding tiles
• Windows: sealing, double glazing, shutters or blinds
• Storage and wardrobes
• Ceiling height, flow between rooms, rooms opening into each other
• Sound insulation: noise from neighbours, from the lift

Kitchen and bathroom

• Water pressure and flow, hot water
• Drains: run the water
• Ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen
• Condition of seals, tiling, units
• Water heater: type, age, location

Electrics and equipment

• Recent electrical panel, residual-current device
• Number of sockets per room
• Air conditioning: present, possible location for outdoor units
• Internet connection available

Documents to ask for

• Recent ownership certificate (see the ANCFCC certificate)
• Titled area
• Co-ownership charges and the latest general meeting minutes
• Housing tax and municipal services tax receipts
• Occupancy permit

After the viewing

Score each property out of 10 on the criteria that matter to you, take photos and go back a second time, at a different time of day, for those that really interest you. Then prepare your offer with negotiating the price of an apartment. The classic traps are listed in the 15 most expensive mistakes.

Comparison grid to fill in after each viewing

Filling in the grid the same day stops memories getting mixed up after several viewings.

Questions to ask the seller

1. How long has the property been for sale, and why are you selling?
2. What works have been done, with which invoices?
3. How much are the charges and local taxes?
4. Have any works been voted by the co-ownership?
5. When is the property available?