Channel 4 property expert Phil Spencer shares '10p test' for buying a house

Daily Record

6 days ago

Property expert Phil Spencer has shared his top tips for what to look out for when viewing a property - and the test you can do with a 10p coin to see if it has "serious" issues
Channel 4's Phil Spencer has warned prospective homebuyers to use the 10p test during property viewings. The property guru emphasised the importance of looking beyond surface appearances, saying "before you fall for the decor" there are hidden aspects to be conscious of.
Phil Spencer, widely recognised as the co-host of Channel 4's hit series Location, Location, Location alongside Kirstie Allsopp, is also known for fronting various other property-focused television programmes. Addressing his followers on TikTok via his business profile, Move iQ, where he advises UK residents, he highlighted the importance of checking for cover-ups by previous owners, reports Bristol Live.
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Phil's warning to people buying a flat or house
He advised: "Start with damp and mould. So check your ceilings corners and skirting boards. Does it look like anything might have been painted to cover any water damage? Just have a bit of an eye out for that."
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In a further cautionary note, he recommended vigilance for "structural issues such as cracks in the walls", sharing his own rule of thumb: "I always think if you can fit a 10p coin in one it might be serious. It doesn't necessarily mean it is serious but it's certainly something to be thinking about."
Additionally, he suggested checking the water pressure, reminding viewers: "Don't forget the water pressure. If you can and it's not rude, turn on the taps. Is it a decent flow for energy efficiency?
"I think it's worth looking beyond the EPC rating so you can do it yourself", he advised, encouraging people to "check the windows, check the doors".
He also suggested that potential homeowners should question whether the seals are tight or if they're letting in drafts. He added that they should "take note of light fittings plug sockets" such as how many there are, where they are located and whether or not they will work for your needs.
"If you're specifically viewing a flat, look outside, he recommended. Phil added: "When you're viewing a flat, very much check out the communal area areas. What are they like? Are they tidy? Are they well looked-after and cared for?
"Listen for a noise from neighbours, try to visit at different times and take your time. I really do mean that. It's a big decision and you don't want to do in a hurry. Your dream home should feel good. It should stand up to scrutiny."
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Moving home tips - including an 'essentials box'
On his Move iQ website, the founder suggests that when moving, it's ideal to pack an 'essentials box'. Unpacking after a move can take time, especially with so much to organise in a new home, Phil emphasised.
Because of this, items like toothbrushes, tea and coffee, phone chargers and other daily essentials should be packed last so they can be unpacked first. To make things easier, each household member should have an essentials box or bag with their must-have items readily accessible.
In another tip, he urged people to never overfill boxes just to keep your number of boxes down. He warned: "This is absolutely crucial, irrelevant of whether you're using a removals company or doing the move on your own.
"Boxes which are too heavy will become a hazard to anyone that carries them: the last thing you want is a visit to A&E on moving day. You might have heard some moving house 'horror story', where things might have gone wrong on moving day. But boxes that are too heavy create the possibility of them being dropped, valuables being broken or frantic last minute repacking.
"It's a good idea to ensure your boxes aren't heavier than about 15kg, though some removals companies will sometimes specify a maximum weight limit. By this, we don't mean having a scale at hand to weigh every box you pack.
"Once you've finished with a box, give it a lift and determine whether you think someone would be able to carry this up and down a flight of stairs. If the answer is no, it might be worth thinking about doing a bit of reorganising your boxes to spread the load."