First-time buyer property checklist — Property Passport UK guide
Buying a Property

First-time buyer property checklist

A practical ordered list from budgeting to viewing to offer without replacing mortgage or legal advice.

Published: 20 Apr 2026 · Updated: 20 Apr 2026 · 10 min read

Property Passport UK

See this information for your own home

Free address search across England and Wales. No account needed.

19.4 million searchable properties. EPC, flood risk, sold prices, planning, and more in one structured record per home.

Start with finance reality

Agreement in principle, deposit, and monthly costs belong on page one.

Learn the timeline

Searches, surveys, and exchange are different milestones.

Build a team early

Broker and solicitor choices matter for speed and clarity.

Keep notes

You will forget which home had which answer.

What to check next

Use [Property Passport UK](/search) to anchor the property. [Claim your Property Passport](/claim/start) when you own or manage the home. Browse the [guides library](/guides) and [what is a Property Passport](/what-is-a-property-passport) for product context. Role pages: [estate agents](/for-agents), [housebuilders](/for-housebuilders), [conveyancers](/for-conveyancers), [surveyors](/for-surveyors).

How Property Passport UK helps

Property Passport UK combines official context with permissioned Documents and Stakeholder sharing. It supports information organisation, checks, provenance, and transaction preparation. It does not replace HM Land Registry, regulated professionals, or official search products.

Frequently asked questions

Is this legal, survey, or mortgage advice?

No. General UK property information only.

Can I rely on user-uploaded documents alone?

No. Verify where decisions depend on them.

Disclaimer: Not legal advice, not surveying advice, not mortgage advice.

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