Secondary housing: how to assess the condition of the building and utilities?

Assessing the condition of the building and engineering utilities when buying secondary housing is a critically important stage that will save you from unexpected expenses after moving in. For a competent assessment of secondary housing, it is always useful to calculate two scenarios: a base scenario with cosmetic costs and a stress scenario with a major overhaul of all systems.

As part of the stress scenario, it is necessary to include an additional financial safety margin of 10–20 percent of the apartment's cost in the budget for unforeseen defects and emergency situations. Decide in advance which expenses, repair work, or monthly fees you are ready to cut or postpone first if the actual cost of putting the housing in order exceeds the estimated one.

When inspecting the building, pay special attention to the condition of load-bearing structures, inter-panel joints, the building facade, as well as the operation of elevator equipment and the condition of the entrance hall. It is important to find out from the management company the schedule of the latest major repairs of the roof, basement premises, and common building risers for water supply and heating.

Inside the apartment itself, you should thoroughly check the condition of electrical wiring, water and sewage pipes, heating radiators, and ventilation shafts. Old aluminum or worn steel pipes, as well as weak wiring, will require complete replacement, which will cost a significant amount and require dirty construction work.