The 47 points

A failure here is not fixed and reinspected. It is a refusal to list. There is no version of a listing worth a balcony that gives way.

1. #1 Fire extinguisher present and in date Physically present, its service date checked, not assumed from a wall bracket. Whole home
2. #2 Smoke detector in every room, tested One in each room, and each one tested on the spot rather than counted. Every room
3. #3 A clear exit path from every room The way out is unobstructed and openable, from wherever you are sleeping. Every room
4. #4 No exposed or damaged wiring Nothing live left open, taped, or hanging, anywhere in the home. Every room
5. #5 Balcony and stair railings hold weight Leaned on with real weight, not looked at. A railing either holds or it fails. Balcony, stairs
6. #6 Gas line and shut-off checked The connection and shut-off valve confirmed, and no smell of a leak at the join. Kitchen
7. #7 No structural cracks or damp-rot Walls and ceilings read for movement cracks, subsidence, and hidden water rot. Every room
8. #8 Windows safe on upper floors A safe sill height or a working restrictor on anything above the ground floor. Every room

The question this category answers is simple: when you are inside and it is late, does the home close.

1. #9 The main-door deadbolt throws fully The bolt seats all the way, from both sides where the door has both. Entry
2. #10 Every key tested in every lock Each key turned in each lock, not matched by shape or taken on trust. Whole home
3. #11 Window locks engage on every window Each window latch tried and confirmed to actually catch. Every room
4. #12 Balcony and secondary-door locks engage The doors that are easy to forget, the balcony and the back, close and lock. Balcony, back door
5. #13 Building access works, in practice The fob, the gate, the doorman’s real hours, tested rather than described. Outside
6. #14 Bedroom doors latch from inside Each bedroom can be closed and held shut from within. Bedrooms

"Has hot water" and "has hot water in under a minute" are different homes to live in. This category tells them apart.

1. #15 Hot water timed at every tap Not just present: timed, because the wait is what you live with each morning. Kitchen, bathrooms
2. #16 Water pressure checked at each outlet Every shower and sink run, so a weak line shows up before you move in. Kitchen, bathrooms
3. #17 Every drain runs clear Each drain watched to empty, with no standing water or slow gurgle. Kitchen, bathrooms
4. #18 The toilet refills and holds Flushed, refilled, and left, to confirm it is not quietly running. Bathrooms
5. #19 No sign of past water damage Read behind the honesty of fresh paint for the stains it can cover. Every room
6. #20 Washing machine run a full cold cycle Start to finish, not switched on, because the fault is usually mid-cycle. Where the washer is
7. #21 No leaks under sinks or at joints Every visible joint and under-sink trap checked dry. Kitchen, bathrooms

If you work from home, the internet number is not a detail. It is the whole decision, so it is recorded as a number on the card.

1. #22 Every outlet tested with a real load A real charger and a real lamp in each socket, not a meter reading. Every room
2. #23 Every light fixture and switch works Each light switched on, each switch confirmed to drive it. Every room
3. #24 The breaker panel is labelled and sound Panel labelled, capacity sane for the home, nothing warm or tripping. Entry
4. #25 WiFi walked room to room Signal carried to the back bedroom, because a router in the lounge is not coverage. Every room
5. #26 Internet speed recorded as a number The download and upload speed measured and written on the card. Where the router is
6. #27 Water heater’s electrical safety checked The heater’s wiring and earth confirmed, the one appliance that mixes water and power. Bathrooms

This is the category that separates a furnished home from a photographed one.

1. #28 The mattress rated for sag and stains You will spend a third of six months on it, so it is rated, and its age noted. Bedrooms
2. #29 Linens counted and present Counted against what the listing will promise, not eyeballed. Bedrooms
3. #30 The sofa and seating checked Sat on for wear, stability, and stains, the way you will use it. Living
4. #31 The kitchen confirmed to actually cook A working hob, real heat, and pans, not a kitchen-shaped corner. Kitchen
5. #32 Kitchen inventory counted Plates, pans, and utensils counted, so a bare cupboard is not a move-in surprise. Kitchen
6. #33 Towels counted and present Counted the same as linens, against the listing’s claim. Bathrooms
7. #34 Air-conditioning serviced, date confirmed Each unit run and its last service date confirmed, not just switched on. Rooms with a unit
8. #35 Fridge and appliances run and working The fridge and the rest turned on and confirmed to hold and to heat. Kitchen

These are the things a daytime viewing hides and the third week reveals, so they are measured, not guessed.

1. #36 Noise measured at 9pm, in decibels A decibel-meter reading taken at 9pm and written on the card as a number. Bedrooms
2. #37 Daylight timed through the day When the light reaches the room and when it leaves it, noted by hour. Every room
3. #38 Ventilation and airflow confirmed Every room can move air, so it does not turn close and damp. Every room
4. #39 A check for mould in every room Looked for in each room, including behind the furniture that hides it. Every room
5. #40 A check for pests and entry points Droppings, nests, and the gaps they come through, room by room. Every room

The last hour is spent outside. Like safety, this can end a listing: you do not live inside the four walls, you live on the street they open onto.

1. #41 The nearest store, timed on foot How far the everyday shop actually is, walked and timed. Outside
2. #42 Where the late food is, past 9pm What is still open when you get in late and have not eaten. Outside
3. #43 The nearest transit, timed on foot How you leave the street without a car, and how long it takes to reach it. Outside
4. #44 The nearest green space or park Where the nearest air and space to walk is, if there is one. Outside
5. #45 Whether it feels safe to walk alone at night Walked at night, alone, because that is the test that matters. Outside
6. #46 The nearest clinic or hospital Where you go when something is wrong and you do not know the city. Outside
7. #47 One thing about the street that surprised her The single detail Trang did not expect, written on the card in her own words. Outside

1. #2 Smoke detector in every room, tested One in each room, and each one tested on the spot rather than counted. Safety and structural
2. #3 A clear exit path from every room The way out is unobstructed and openable, from wherever you are sleeping. Safety and structural
3. #4 No exposed or damaged wiring Nothing live left open, taped, or hanging, anywhere in the home. Safety and structural
4. #7 No structural cracks or damp-rot Walls and ceilings read for movement cracks, subsidence, and hidden water rot. Safety and structural
5. #8 Windows safe on upper floors A safe sill height or a working restrictor on anything above the ground floor. Safety and structural
6. #11 Window locks engage on every window Each window latch tried and confirmed to actually catch. Locks and security
7. #19 No sign of past water damage Read behind the honesty of fresh paint for the stains it can cover. Plumbing and water
8. #22 Every outlet tested with a real load A real charger and a real lamp in each socket, not a meter reading. Electrical and connectivity
9. #23 Every light fixture and switch works Each light switched on, each switch confirmed to drive it. Electrical and connectivity
10. #25 WiFi walked room to room Signal carried to the back bedroom, because a router in the lounge is not coverage. Electrical and connectivity
11. #37 Daylight timed through the day When the light reaches the room and when it leaves it, noted by hour. Environment
12. #38 Ventilation and airflow confirmed Every room can move air, so it does not turn close and damp. Environment
13. #39 A check for mould in every room Looked for in each room, including behind the furniture that hides it. Environment
14. #40 A check for pests and entry points Droppings, nests, and the gaps they come through, room by room. Environment

1. #14 Bedroom doors latch from inside Each bedroom can be closed and held shut from within. Locks and security
2. #28 The mattress rated for sag and stains You will spend a third of six months on it, so it is rated, and its age noted. Furniture and fittings
3. #29 Linens counted and present Counted against what the listing will promise, not eyeballed. Furniture and fittings
4. #36 Noise measured at 9pm, in decibels A decibel-meter reading taken at 9pm and written on the card as a number. Environment

1. #30 The sofa and seating checked Sat on for wear, stability, and stains, the way you will use it. Furniture and fittings

1. #6 Gas line and shut-off checked The connection and shut-off valve confirmed, and no smell of a leak at the join. Safety and structural
2. #15 Hot water timed at every tap Not just present: timed, because the wait is what you live with each morning. Plumbing and water
3. #16 Water pressure checked at each outlet Every shower and sink run, so a weak line shows up before you move in. Plumbing and water
4. #17 Every drain runs clear Each drain watched to empty, with no standing water or slow gurgle. Plumbing and water
5. #21 No leaks under sinks or at joints Every visible joint and under-sink trap checked dry. Plumbing and water
6. #31 The kitchen confirmed to actually cook A working hob, real heat, and pans, not a kitchen-shaped corner. Furniture and fittings
7. #32 Kitchen inventory counted Plates, pans, and utensils counted, so a bare cupboard is not a move-in surprise. Furniture and fittings
8. #35 Fridge and appliances run and working The fridge and the rest turned on and confirmed to hold and to heat. Furniture and fittings

1. #15 Hot water timed at every tap Not just present: timed, because the wait is what you live with each morning. Plumbing and water
2. #16 Water pressure checked at each outlet Every shower and sink run, so a weak line shows up before you move in. Plumbing and water
3. #17 Every drain runs clear Each drain watched to empty, with no standing water or slow gurgle. Plumbing and water
4. #18 The toilet refills and holds Flushed, refilled, and left, to confirm it is not quietly running. Plumbing and water
5. #21 No leaks under sinks or at joints Every visible joint and under-sink trap checked dry. Plumbing and water
6. #27 Water heater’s electrical safety checked The heater’s wiring and earth confirmed, the one appliance that mixes water and power. Electrical and connectivity
7. #33 Towels counted and present Counted the same as linens, against the listing’s claim. Furniture and fittings

1. #9 The main-door deadbolt throws fully The bolt seats all the way, from both sides where the door has both. Locks and security
2. #24 The breaker panel is labelled and sound Panel labelled, capacity sane for the home, nothing warm or tripping. Electrical and connectivity

1. #5 Balcony and stair railings hold weight Leaned on with real weight, not looked at. A railing either holds or it fails. Safety and structural
2. #12 Balcony and secondary-door locks engage The doors that are easy to forget, the balcony and the back, close and lock. Locks and security

1. #20 Washing machine run a full cold cycle Start to finish, not switched on, because the fault is usually mid-cycle. Plumbing and water
2. #26 Internet speed recorded as a number The download and upload speed measured and written on the card. Electrical and connectivity
3. #34 Air-conditioning serviced, date confirmed Each unit run and its last service date confirmed, not just switched on. Furniture and fittings

1. #1 Fire extinguisher present and in date Physically present, its service date checked, not assumed from a wall bracket. Safety and structural
2. #10 Every key tested in every lock Each key turned in each lock, not matched by shape or taken on trust. Locks and security

1. #13 Building access works, in practice The fob, the gate, the doorman’s real hours, tested rather than described. Locks and security
2. #41 The nearest store, timed on foot How far the everyday shop actually is, walked and timed. Trang’s neighborhood walk
3. #42 Where the late food is, past 9pm What is still open when you get in late and have not eaten. Trang’s neighborhood walk
4. #43 The nearest transit, timed on foot How you leave the street without a car, and how long it takes to reach it. Trang’s neighborhood walk
5. #44 The nearest green space or park Where the nearest air and space to walk is, if there is one. Trang’s neighborhood walk
6. #45 Whether it feels safe to walk alone at night Walked at night, alone, because that is the test that matters. Trang’s neighborhood walk
7. #46 The nearest clinic or hospital Where you go when something is wrong and you do not know the city. Trang’s neighborhood walk
8. #47 One thing about the street that surprised her The single detail Trang did not expect, written on the card in her own words. Trang’s neighborhood walk