Ottawa Property Guide · ottawapropertyguide.ca
Home viewing checklist
Tick each step as you complete it. Statuses below are the ones saved in your browser when this sheet was printed.
Date printed: 21 September 2026, 4:09 pm
Outside Roof, foundation, drainage and the street itself
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Roof: shingle condition, sagging, moss — and ask its age | Not Done | |
| 1.2 | Foundation: visible cracks, water staining, grading sloping toward the house | Not Done | |
| 1.3 | Windows and doors: age, condition, signs of seal failure (fogging between panes) | Not Done | |
| 1.4 | Drainage: downspouts, where water goes, low spots in the yard | Not Done | |
| 1.5 | Driveway, walkways, fences, decks: condition and who owns or shares them | Not Done | |
| 1.6 | Street reality: parking, traffic noise at this hour, distance to snow-dumped sidewalks | Not Done |
Inside What the staging is drawing your eye away from
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Water stains on ceilings and around windows; smell of damp in the basement | Not Done | |
| 2.2 | Floors: level, squeaks, and condition under the rugs What you'll need: A marble, if you want to test level properly | Not Done | |
| 2.3 | Walls: fresh paint on one wall only — what is it covering? — and cracks over doorways | Not Done | |
| 2.4 | Water pressure and drainage: run taps, flush toilets, look under sinks | Not Done | |
| 2.5 | Electrical: panel type and capacity, outlet count in each room, any knob-and-tube era wiring | Not Done | |
| 2.6 | Windows open, close and lock; doors latch square in their frames | Not Done | |
| 2.7 | Storage honestly assessed: closets, basement, garage | Not Done | |
| 2.8 | Phone charger test: outlets you can actually reach where you would need them What you'll need: Your phone charger | Not Done |
Systems Ask the ages — every one of these has a replacement cost
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Furnace or heat source: age, service history, fuel type and rough running cost | Not Done | |
| 3.2 | Air conditioning: age, and whether it is owned or rented | Not Done | |
| 3.3 | Hot water tank: age — and owned or rented, because rental contracts transfer to you | Not Done | |
| 3.4 | Any rented equipment at all: water heater, furnace, softener, alarm — get the contracts | Not Done | |
| 3.5 | Attic insulation: depth and type, if accessible | Not Done |
If it's a condo What you own, what you fund, and what you can hear
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Fees: amount, what is included, and the trend over recent years | Not Done | |
| 4.2 | Sounds through walls and floors — visit at an evening hour if you can | Not Done | |
| 4.3 | Amenities you would actually use, versus amenities you would fund | Not Done | |
| 4.4 | Parking and locker: owned, exclusive-use, or rented? | Not Done | |
| 4.5 | Status certificate review planned with your lawyer — our question card covers what to ask | Not Done |
Ottawa-specific Winter is the test this city applies to every house
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Winter reality: driveway slope, where the snow goes, sidewalk plough berm | Not Done | |
| 5.2 | Basement water history — ask directly, and look for efflorescence or a newer sump pump | Not Done | |
| 5.3 | Commute test at real times, with both seasons in mind | Not Done |
Summary
| Total checklist items | 27 |
|---|---|
| Completed | 0 |
| Not completed | 27 |
| Completion | 0% |
| Overall status | Not Started |