The annual building walkthrough checklist
Two hours once a year, with two or three board members. It is the simplest way to spot a defect while it still costs a few hundred euros, and to feed the multi-year works plan with observations rather than with quotes.
A walkthrough is not a survey — and that is the point
The condo board has neither the expertise nor the remit of a surveyor. Its annual walkthrough serves another purpose: to observe, date, photograph, and hand the managing agent a list of precise points instead of a general worry.
It also feeds the multi-year works plan and the maintenance log usefully: a professional will price a defect far better when it comes with photos and a date of first appearance.
What to take with you
- A phone, to photograph every observation.
- Last year’s checklist, so you can compare.
- Keys to the plant rooms, requested from the agent in advance.
- The maintenance log, if the agent has provided it.
Never enter a plant room that presents a risk — boiler room, lift machinery, electrical room — without authorisation and without company. Observing from the doorway is enough to report a problem.
Word template
Annual walkthrough — [name of the co-ownership]
Walkthrough of [date], carried out by [members present]
Go through the eight areas in order, from the top of the building downwards. For each observation: a photo, a date, and a view on urgency. Three levels are enough — keep an eye on it, deal with it this year, urgent.
1. Roof and terraces
Tiles or waterproofing, flashings, rainwater outlets, moss. From the street and, where access is safe, from the loft.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
2. Façades and balconies
Cracks, spalling concrete, railings, window sills, joints. A crack that lengthens year on year is a different problem.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
3. Internal common parts
Staircase, paintwork, floors, lighting, letterboxes, entryphone.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
4. Lift
Date of the last inspection on display, cleanliness of the car, unusual noises, emergency phone tested.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
5. Boiler room and hot water
From the doorway: visible leaks, corrosion, date of the last service on display.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
6. Ventilation and ducts
Clogged ventilation outlets, blocked grilles, date of the last duct cleaning.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
7. Fire safety and escape routes
Emergency lighting, extinguishers and their inspection dates, fire doors, obstructed exits.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
8. Grounds, basements and stores
Landscaping, fences, gate, external lighting, cellars, bin store, bike store, parking.
Observation: / Urgency: / Photo no.:
Send the completed checklist to the managing agent in writing, and keep a copy: next year it is what will show what has moved and what has been ignored.
Get the template by email
One email address and the document is yours. The download opens right below.
One walkthrough a year only counts if you can find last year’s
The whole value of the annual walkthrough lies in the comparison: was that crack already there? Was that leak ever reported? On paper the answer is lost within one term. CoproHarmony keeps the observations and their photos, dated, year after year.
Photograph on the spot
Each observation is recorded with its date and its location in the building.
Compare year on year
The history shows what is getting worse and what has been dealt with.
Feed the works plan
Repeated observations become priced items in the multi-year plan.
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