What to check before viewing a property
Check the listing facts, the building, the street and available hazard information from your desk, so the visit tests what you have learned rather than being your first look.
Updated: · HomeIQ Italy
Explore the free fixed Lecce demo, then subscribe to HomeIQ Pro for current Idealista and Immobiliare.it listing data.
Work through this checklist for each shortlisted property. Mark each answer as verified, stated by the seller or still unknown; an attractive listing is not proof.
1. Listing facts
- Energy class and the energy certificate (APE); ask how heating and cooling are provided.
- Lift and floor; verify access rather than relying only on photographs.
- Air conditioning, parking, terrace or balcony: present, absent or not stated.
- Stated condition and the date and scope of the last renovation.
- Floor area: commercial or usable surface, with supporting plans where available.
- Photos: do they show every room, the exterior and the street side of the building?
2. The building and the street
- Condominium charges and approved or proposed works: request relevant documents and clarification in writing.
- Traffic, noise, parking, lighting and access at different times of day.
- Everyday services on foot: shops, pharmacy, school and transport. Measure routes on a map; do not rely on the word “central”.
- Neighbouring building works and planning notices; confirm details with the local authority where necessary.
3. Climate and natural hazards
HomeIQ's climate module covers eight hazard dimensions. Its results depend on the supplied zone baseline and available property details; a generic baseline is not a researched address-level assessment. Check public maps and seek a qualified site-specific assessment where needed.
- Pluvial (surface-water) flooding
- Coastal and marine exposure
- Heat stress
- Water supply
- Wildfire
- Seismic exposure
- Ground movement
- Material decay, including damp, salt and ageing materials
4. Questions to put to the agent
- How long has it been advertised, and has the price changed?
- Why is the owner selling? Treat the answer as a claim to check, not a scored fact.
- Are there mortgages, charges or other legal encumbrances? Have your notary perform the appropriate checks.
- Which documents are available: APE, cadastral information and plans, and planning/building records? Ask a qualified technician to assess cadastral and urban-planning compliance before you commit.
Explore the free fixed Lecce demo, then subscribe to HomeIQ Pro for current Idealista and Immobiliare.it listing data.
How HomeIQ does this
Asset quality (18%) scores condition, floor/access and physical features, plus outdoor space. Climate (10%) combines the eight hazard dimensions. These scores do not verify title, building compliance, energy performance or condominium accounts.
Scored signals used in this guide
These are descriptions of the implemented P1–P15 signals, not separately verified facts. Bucket weights are shares of the overall score; signals within a bucket do not each have that weight.
- P8
- Property condition
- P9
- Floor/access and physical-building features
- P10
- Outdoor amenities
- P15
- Climate resilience across eight hazard dimensions
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before viewing a flat in Italy?
Check the listing facts, floor area, building costs, street, available property documents and hazard information. Record what is verified and what remains unknown.
How do I check flood or earthquake risk?
Start with ISPRA's IdroGEO for mapped flood and landslide hazards and Protezione Civile's seismic information. Check the local and regional sources and their dates; area maps do not certify a building's safety.
Which documents should I ask for?
Ask for the APE, cadastral information and plans, and the relevant planning/building records. A notary and qualified technician should perform the legal and technical checks; a checklist is not a substitute.
Sources and methodology
Product weights and calculation descriptions were checked against HomeIQ's scoring engine on this page's updated date. External sources provide context, not data for an individual HomeIQ result. Record the date and reference period of any figures you use.
- ISPRA — IdroGEO — Sources reviewed:
- Dipartimento della Protezione Civile — Classificazione sismica — Sources reviewed:
- Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato — Regole per acquistare — Sources reviewed:
Indicative estimates, not financial, legal or technical advice. HomeIQ does not replace a professional valuation, a notary or a qualified building technician.