It is imperative to do a full walkthrough tour of your potential new apartment before you move in. Make sure you see the actual apartment that you will be renting and not a model. Before you complete a tour of your potential new unit, review this list to make sure you know what to look for before you move in. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, make sure the landlord does this before you move in. If there are many things wrong with the apartment, you might just want to pass.
Look For:
- Sufficient safety features, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. Look inside the apartment as well as in the hallways and in other common areas.
- Check out faucets, toilets and the pipes under kitchen cabinets for potential leaks in plumbing.
- Check the water pressure and water temperature in the unit. Turn on the faucets or shower to see how long it takes to get warm.
- Find out if there is an in-unit water heater or if there is one that is shared by multiple units. This will also affect the amount of hot water that runs to the apartment.
- Check the water heater and furnace to make sure they are free of rust. Look for rocks, stones or other debris on the outside of the heater or furnace. This debris or chipping may indicate leaks. These leaks could possibly indicate carbon monoxide problems.
- Make sure that all appliances in the unit work properly and are not damaged.
- If there is not a washer or dryer in the unit, ask to see the common laundry area. Make sure the common area is well maintained and is well lit. Make sure that access to the common laundry area is limited to residents only.
- Look for any evidence of insects or rodents, both on the floor in visible areas as well as inside cabinets, drawers and closets.
- Check for drafts by running your hand along the outside of the window.
- Look up at the ceiling for any water damage. This may indicate either a leak from outside or very careless upstairs neighbors. If there is discoloration, it may be a sign of mold.
- Check to see if there is any peeling paint or wallpaper, or if any of the walls show signs of cracking or repairs. This may also indicate water seepage problems or may indicate a breech in the building foundation.
- Locks should be sturdy and not wobbly.
- Doors should open and close easily and fit well within the doorframe. The hinges should be sturdy. This is especially important when inspecting doors that lead to the outside. The apartment should have a deadbolt on all outside doors.
- Turn off and on all lighting inside the apartment to check for electrical shortages.
- Check the outlets in the apartment to make sure that they all work properly and there are no electrical problems.
Don’t rush through your inspection of your potential new apartment. Be thorough and take your time. After all, it will be your home for at least the next year, make sure you choose a place that you know you’ll be happy with.
This post was updated April 2, 2013.
Like to just say thank you so very much for posting this information on your site. Because in about a mth. I will be in the market to lease a apartment in the Jackson Mississippi area first time out on my own and now I know just know what to look for. Thank you so very much.
Ashley
Use your sense of smell – sniff the air and get down on the carpet and sniff again for disagreeable odors. Just because you can’t see them, it doesn’t mean that mold or pet stains aren’t lurking there.
Happy Apartment Hunting!!
I to will be lookin for an apartment next month in the Columbia,SC area or along those lines. This list will come in handy. Thank who ever came up with it.
make sure that you pay careful attention to the carpet and note any stains on your move in sheet as they will most likely grow and multiply if you did not move in with new flooring. also first time moovers pay careful attention to the cupboard and storage space available in the unit is it really enough for your massive teddy bear and shoe collection?
i would like to know if the apt. by law has to be painted after every tenant and door locks changed and where can i get help about problems with the manqagerment.
Very good advice-especially with the water heater.
Hi,My Name is Sherita Marshall and im looking for a better career and a house
Take pictures of the apartment or house or whatever before moving anything in and make sure you hold up a paper for the day taking the pictures even if you camera has date formate on it- will come in handy- learned the hard way on that one
Thank you for the advice. I now have to return to the apt. I am considering with my list in hand!
Renters have rights too! Check your local Renters Association. You should find it in the phone book. You have what’s called renters rights. Look into it.
im looking for a new apartment and having this list sure would’ve prevented me from moving into my current place!
but now i know what to look for and avoid. oh, and Kay had good advice- its so very easy for landlords to claim that you caused damage to an apartment when in reality the damage was there before u even moved in. so like kay suggests..get a newspaper, snap a pic of your empty apartment the day u move-in, and keep it as proof just in case.
this info will be really helpful as i am looking at an apt. especially with a baby on the way.
Thanks this advise is really helpful when looking for apartment/home for rental.
thanks alot, this will surely help me from getting scammed, i really like the idea about the camera and newspaper. I got burned on my last apartment. good work
i should of looked here before i got my first apartment because it would of really helped but now i know
I too agree.
I like all of the ideas posted. I understand taking pictures before you move in, but I don’t get the newspaper idea. All of these tips will be very useful because I’m a first time apartment searcher, and a lot of these ideas I wouldn’t have thought of myself.
Thanks so much. I am currently looking for an apartment and nearly signed for one just from the model. I am going to use your tips right away.
The tips are great…my best friend is learning his lesson right now considering a doorframe problem, hot water issues, and a leaky ceiling due to HORRIBLE neighbors upstairs. Maybe that’s a tip they forgot to mention, try to talk to/get a feel for your neighbors especially the ones above you if possible.
the tips are great my best friend is learning
I’m living in apt’s In El Sobrante,CA. Ive already Had roof leakes,Been exposed to carbon Mon. Twice.(Wall Heater)I live on the secone level and i have a nieghbor from hell.Tennant will run her heater on a hot 80+Day and heat rises no installation.We had to stop buying furniture,The one light fixure we have in the apt keeps catching on fire it’s the haging light dates from the 70′s, My walls are crackind in a major way I could go on…help!! we diserve better, make sure Manager,Owner understands English if you ever need to make a request 4 repaires.
WOW give me a brake..
HELLO ASHLEY, I WILL ALSO BE RENTING AN APARTMENT IN JACKSON MISSISSIPPI. I WILL MOVE-IN THIS AUGUST. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AT UNIV. MEDICAL CENTER. THIS WILL BE MY SECOND TIME MOVING IN JACKSON. CURRENTLY I AM OUT OF STATE DOING INTERN. IT IS SUCH A HASSEL MOVING IN AND OUT. I HOPE THE MOVE GOES SMOOTHLY FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE JACKSON AREA AND HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ME. I HAVE BEEN IN JACKSON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. SO, I AM SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.
Hi sharita, I am writing in response to a comment that you made on apartments.com:
I would love to help you, but there is more information that will be needed in order for me to assist you. I am no expert, but does not disqaulify me from being able to help someone in need. Where do you want to live? Have you considered the cost of living? What realistic salary would fit your lifestyle? What are your interests? What skills do you currently have?
I moved into an older apartment in Corpus Christi, TX from Ft. Worth, TX area. Therefore, since I had no where to stay I moved here, I had to take the managements word that normal move-in items would be done prior to me getting here 1 month later, ie; walls painted, throughly cleaned, carpet cleaned, holes filled in walls, etc. Nothing was done at all. What I would like to know, is there any legal action I can take to get these things done to my satisfaction or to get out of my lease and moving the expense to make a move.
I really hope that I can recieve a apartment because I have 2 childrens and we really need 2 be in a home.I always wanted 2 be in my own home.
All of the above notes were
great! We all live and learn
but its a good thing when you pass it along!
Thanks 4 the notes!
California
Tnx for the advices! I feel more confident about what I can look for when looking for an apartment.
I am in Tulsa Oklahoma and the apartment are nice but where I am living now the apartments are what you make of them because there are no real management,so here you do have to be very careful in renting ,look view your apartment carefully ,get inspections, for when the show models they are not what you expectfor the model are not lived in ,it is just for show.so check it out talk to the people that live there find out what you are getting in to!
I recently moved in to a unit and discovered that the dryer is actually vented inside the apartment. This has made cleaning difficult because lint ends up everywhere downstairs. Is this legal?
I moved into an apartment in Las Vegas and I was told that the carpeting was just replaced. I later found out that it had stains in some areas of the apt. Is there a way that I can verify if the carpet is actually new?
mandm
These are all great ideas, but its kinda hard when you are moving blind…meaning moving long distance, state to state, and you dont have the option/luxury of seeing the Apt in-person prior to reserving/booking it.
I am from memphis tn. Next year I am moving out mother house I was wondering get me advice about how relate to other town.
Tnx for this info. This is my first time renting and I would have never thought of these things being that this is my first time as a renter.Im glad I came across the web-site before I rented.
This some great advice! Make sure to GRILL the leasing agent / read the lease before signing it about maintenance repairs & how long they have to repiar them, most will allow up to 30 days before the need to fix them.
chances are if the carpet has stains, it’s not new.
the reason for holding a newspaper when you take pictures is to prove that you didn’t just write it on a piece of paper & take it when you move out. Who’s going to hold on to a newspaper for a year?
also definately talk to the other tenants about the building/maintenance/management. It WILL make a difference in where you rent.
tHIS IS A TIMELY ARTICLE. i MOVED INTO AN APARTMENT LAST TIME BEFORE TAKING TIME TO LOOK AF WHAT WHAT i DIDN’T HAVE DUE TO NEEDING ONE RIGHT AWAY. tHIS TIME i KNOW BETTER AND HAVE LOOKED. THANKS FOR A GREAT ARTICLE. evERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THIS. maRSHA mELDER
please always remember day time and picture are very inportant and docments need to be keep in a save,place application, proof of before and after of how your apartment look
EXCELLENT advice on everything
i didnt think to do any of those things!!NOW ITS ON!
I am apartment hunting with my husband for the first time. We are currently living with my mom because I am a student. We are wanting to get out and I have no idea of what to look for in an apartment, hopefully these tips will help.
Hello my name is Mamie Crawford and i am looking for an apartment for me,our son and husband.I have no idea of what to look for in an apartment,hopefully these tips will help.
Before you move into an apt. be sure to check the crime rate around you. I recently moved into a nice gated complex in Webster Tx. and I have come to find out that they have the highest crime rate in the area! My neighboor has been broken into twice in the same week..I’m scared to live her now and don’t know what my options are?The apt. didn’t even notify any neighboors about the break-ins untill we all started to complain and threatend to bring the news stations into this!..
Don’t forget about neighbors. Try and meet them, or at least ask about them. Are they up late, noisy, smokers, pets, parties….
management will nearly always favor the tenants who have been there longest. Do your research.
does smoke bother you, smoke in the same building will travel through walls and air vents. We have to run 3 air filters to cope with smokers that are upstairs and over.
I am so glad to have seen this list.It’s one thing to move from a proublem,but it’s another thing,when you going to gain a unknown problem!
I just want to thankyou guys for your help!
who should u contact if u have moved in an apartment and everything seems to be fallin apart but u have already talked to the apartment management and they haven’t done anything about it the whole time that u have been there
My last apartment had no outlets in the bathroom, I didn’t think to check, who would have thought that there would be no outlets in the bathroom. Also, it’s important to find out if the apartments are high in crime, but I don’t know how you would find that out. If anyone has any tips please let me know.
Good advice on the model vs the actual apartment. I had looked at the model, thinking all were that nice. Quite the surprise on moving day! Our actual unit had disguesting pea green, dirty carpet and the refrig and stove were vintage 1950.
I have an apartment now and everything is pretty good besides the fact that I sleep on the couch sometimes and when people walk up and down the stairs it sounds as though they are coming in my apartment. Which is the loose/wobbly door thing which is a very good tip. I am a college student moving out from with my mom and getting my own apartment so this is very helpful! Thanks a bunch:)
thank you god that just wont to see this place before i movein so waste up no money thank you very much
The town in which you live should have a building code enforcement department. Call and ask them about the code on drying machine venting.
This might be a nuisance with an electric dryer, but with a gas dryer it could be actively unsafe because of exhaust fumes.
Thank everyone for your comments. This list an you alls advice will come in handy. I am moving again for the fourth time and nothing is better than finding what you want and having the management take care of their property. Right now the place Im at as been one headach after another an has only gotten worse since a change of hands with the management company. when I moved in here it smelled like cat, I made them get me new carpet an repaint an clean the cabinets. Not fun when you have already moved in.
Am I responsible for carpet cleaning before I vacate my Apartment?
Am I responsible for carpet cleaning after I vacate the apartment?
Thank you so much for posting this. Your list comes in handy. This is my first time moving away from home and these are all things I would’ve never thought of.
The newspaper is to verify the date of the picture.
That’s happened to me, as well. I moved blind ( across the country without seeing the apt first ) and the apartment sounded great! Near stores, gated, a townhouse, laundry, a pool… I found out the place was gated because homeless people and gangs would break into houses and rape women so they finally had to gate the area. At one time when I was staying there I was physically approached by the landlord and asked to please not arrive at my apartment later than 10PM, as young women like me had been dissapearing. I also had to deal with prostitutes. Make sure to CHECK before! It does matter!
I personally stopped at the police station and asked what areas were high in crime when I was looking for my apartment. A lot of places around where I was looking had prostitution problems, I found that out by just asking the cops. They know.
THANKS A-LOT FOR THIS HELPFUL HINTS. IT WAS GOOD TO KNOW. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME RENTING APARTMENT AND BY MYSELF.
i need a apartment but i have a skip under my name what can i do
HEAT INCLUDED – BE AWARE if the heat is included it is most likely governed and depending on your state that can be as low as an outside temperature being 40 degrees at night and 55 during the day. This can get pretty cold. Also, most apartments turn the heat off during certain months – be sure you know when you will be getting head and for how long. Most landlords avoid disclosing this information until the question comes up and usually this is too late – the lease has been signed. BE AWARE
A GREAT PLACE TO CHECK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT CITIES AND ZIPCODES IS TO GO TO BESTPLACES.NET
HOPE IT HELPS!
thanks so much for that comment! i read that heat was included once and thout it was a great deal, now i know better and what to look for and ask about. thanks so much!!! :]
Hello all,
I’m new to Baltimore and will move to the city in few months and look for decent apartment. After read the postings, make me feel finding good place, nice, clean and safe is important. Any suggestion?
Budi, I’m a medic in Baltimore and my best advice to you is to live in the Counties, not the City. Crime is bad, no matter what you hear from the media. There are bugs, drugs, and thugs. The “nicer” areas will cost an arm and a leg, and the taxes are higher in the city, too.
To everyone else worried about safety: Most local police dept. websites have a tool that give you a crime statistic report when you enter an address (such as the last three years over a 1-mile radius). Give it a shot. Bottom line: if you have ANY doubt about your safety, your instincts are always right!
That is such a great idea!I am a single white female college student and I am having so many problems figuring out which areas are safe! Thank you!
I have not had my own apartment yet but will soon be in my own apartment can you give me a few note to what to look for going to an new apartment Thank You
S
I would just like to warn people , I have had the worst experience in my life At Southlake village aprtment complex. The rental manager is phsyco I pay my bills on time long story short I am quiet bu he is evicting me because he thinks I called the police on my nieghbors and got the busted for pot , He flipped out on me lunged at me threatened me I had to getan attorney the he rufused to go through my attorney to settle things I had to get a restraing order. This place is a nightmare dont be fooled It is Southlake village apartments in wichita. It is infact worn down , poorly paintenanced and managed by a phsychot
Tips are very helpful. Thank you for the advice.
Amber I Pray 1st by asking “GOD” to place me where i can b safe with no negative repercussions(even tho every 1 don’t believe in “GOD”)use ur gut instinct & talk to others on campus along with the city & campus police. Classmates r helpful. Don’t trust every1. When “U” have bad vibes about a place keep moving not 4 “U”. Lock doors behind “U” when in. Be cautious of opening ur doors to the other person on the other side of it. Try to keep classes @ day & try to travel @ nite in groups, whistles,keys & pepper-mace r help. “U” r in control of ur surroundings. B Happy & Blessed.
The info is great but I’ve gone apartment hunting throughout florida and you don’t get the luxury of looking at your actual apartment before moving in. 90% of the time you can only see a model, sometimes a recent tenant volunteers their place, and other times nothing. By the time you can check this stuff, you already signed lease.
Hello. I’m just wondering about expenses right now. If I make 7.50 an hour and work 35-40 hours a week (thats about 800-900 dollars a month) how much should I be spending on monthly rent? What is the most I should limit myself a month. I don’t know where to look for this kind of info.
(Also if you know where i can find this info it would be great to know! Thank You!)
Great Info!
This is great information for moving into an apartment commnity. Thanks for keeping apartment dwellers informed!
Depending on the State, management may or may not be required to paint or change the laws. If your local area does not have an apartment association, look up the National Apartment Association on Google and ask for their advice. You can also find informative information on http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com
I moved into an apartment on
Aug. 18th, 2008. Due to the fact that I lived 4 hours away I was not able to look at the inside of the apt. prior to my move date. The leasing company was very unprofessional and disorganized with the way they handled my move. After a week of my move, I have a new leasing company that is looking over the property. I recently paid September’s rent and was handed a (7) seven page checklist to complete within a week. Mind you, it is not the standard 8.5×11 sheets it is the longer sheets of paper. I’m I supposed to go to every room and look at the entire apartment and write in what I find?
If you are having trouble with the management contact the main office. They should be able to help you sort through the differences.
put the items in writing. The management and maintenance have 30 days to fix them.
IWANT AT LEAST A 2 BEDROOM AT A REASONSBLE PRICE
Some great tips here, and I will printing out for future reference.
I may have a good chance on moving to Seattle WA. from out of state. Any good ideas, outside the city that is safe.
Thank you for keeping the public informed while searching an apartment.
ALSO, look outside at the parking lot for parking situations, listen to see if you can hear through the walls or floors, talk to tenants in the complex and ask them how they like living there and if they would recommend it to potential renters. Also look at the wood structures for termites.
How much you have to spend on rent really depends on how much you already spend on everything else. Do you have a car? Take out the car payments and insurance. Phone bill? subtract that. Take out another hundred or two for the utilities and water you will probably have to pay. If you want to watch tv or get on the internet, that’s another bill and another deduction from your budget. How much do you really spend on food? Also, at your pay rate, I wouldn’t count on going out with friends.
The point is, how much you have to spend on rent really depends on how much you spend on everything else.
that’s good advice about the water heater, i wouldn’t have thought to check that during a tour.
i find it interesting that they said to check for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. where i live, i have never once seen a carbon monoxide detector in an apartment or public building, or a fire extinguisher included with an apartment (even though both things should be)
many large apartment buildings i’ve been in don’t even have smoke or heat detectors, but the city of north van is thinking of making them mandatory soon
My fiance and I just moved into a newly renovated apartment in NYC. The looked perfect when we moved in. Our new neighbors told us horror stories of water leaks and damage on our entire floor. Apparently, our previous tenants moved out because of water damage. The apartment across the hall just had a closet cave in and ruin all the contents. We noticed that our bedroom ceiling now has a puffy spot with a crack and there is discoloration where the ceiling meets the wall. This is new since we moved in 1 month ago. What do we do?
Question about the article’s advice: Run your hand outside the window to check for drafts? Of course there will be a draft outside–and one inside, with the window open. I think you meant to advise people to run their hands along the window inside the apartment.
I am moving in to an apartment and have paid 1st months rent and the deposit and plan on moving everything in next weekend…I went by the apartment to check it out again and make sure it had been cleaned and the walls had been repainted but it hadn’t. My question is, isn’t the landlord suppose to have the walls painted and the apartment cleaned before the tenants move in? I thought that was the purpose of the previous tenant’s deposit, they take out what is reasonable to make the apartment as new as possible again before new people move in. HELP PLEASES! THANKS!
Hi, my name is jacqueline thomas. i would like help looking for affordable houses or appartments. I live in Orlando but I would like to move to altamonte, clearmont, or kissimmee. I work for the school board for twelve years, I have six classes until i finish my A.A. i had to take a pay cut, not making much right now but, I pay 649 for rent now. which city is more affordable and good for as single parent to raise kids? nice aera for cheap!
Great list. I’d also like to add a few more.
- Do the faucets drip?
- Make sure the toilet doesn’t run
- Does the garbage disposal work?
- Check for holes in the walls behind doors
- Make sure the windows open properly
- Look for broken shelving
- Check for mold in the closets
- Check lighting
- Do all burners on the stove work?
Im living in a shelter and I am looking 4 a low-income stuido on the west side.
Dear Sirs
I am interested in an apartment for two couples and a young, 2 or 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and close proximity to the Centre on 10 July to 19 July.
Should have maid service, and if more than a second floor with elevator.
I am grateful to report location and price of potential apartments, and how to contract.
Best regards
Major thanks for the article post.Thanks Again. Great.
I Recently Move’d and Did check all the above before moving in. But what I Did’t check Make’s me long for My old apt! My Knew neighbor’sare a Horror show! Loud constantly slaming Door’s and Yelling. very,very loud and obnoxious. and because of this I don’t feel very safe.and according to the neihbor’s who have live’d here for eight year’s Every-body who ever live’d here complain’s. one of the most Important thing. to check before you Move is find out about your neighbor’s
Not sure how you would check on your neighbor’s – anyone who lives in a building that you are moving into that tells you bad things about another tenant is leaving themself open to liability charges from the landlord. Same thing when you move, you cannot tell a prospective new tenant how bad the neighbors are, that landlord will have a court case. Just and FYI.
I’m about to get married and we’re looking for nice Apartments in the Houston area, any suggestions would be appreciated
would of been nice to know to bring a clock to plug in since after i moved into my place 2 years ago the bathroom outlets never worked…
I rented an apartment out of Apartments.com at River Retreat in Madison,TN 5/1/12. I got an email saying I would get a $100 gift card for using Apartments.com and renting. I still have not received the gift card. How long does this take???I could use it about this time.
Sincerely Cynthia Haisten
good advise. I wouldn’t have thought of many of these. I’ve lived and learned through previous rentals that I was stuck in for the duration of the lease. Had I known this information, I may have not rented some of the units! thanks for having this available.
Hello everyone I have a few questions? what should I do if i feel like an home inspections was pass and I feel like it should have not been passed do to the demage of the home as far as lead poison and bug problems.Its an low income apt..I really want to fight this because I have a daughter and a child on the way I feel like its not ready for move in.Should I jus take it into my own hands? The thing is what should I do first!
Thanks for the list of things to check on, I’m looking into an apartment sometime this year and this list is going be very handy for me and my roommate. ^^
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This is such helpful information! My boyfriend and I put in an application for an apartment. And while I was in love, he hasn’t seen it yet. We definitely put in our application on a whim, but now that we’re waiting for it to get approved, I’m thinking of all the things that will be important before we sign a lease (if we get it). The place is gorgeous and I want to enjoy living there. I definitely plan to ask for a day or two to think over the lease and to see the apartment one more time so that my boyfriend can see it and so that we can check all of these things.