The first step to finding a truly great rental is to make sure everything actually works. It may feel a little bit silly turning on faucets and opening drawers while the landlord is watching, but following this checklist can help you out in a major way.
Doors : Do all the doors latch? Do the locks stick?
Windows : Do the windows open? Does it feel drafty?
Lights : Do the lighters flicker or buzz?
Pipes : Do the faucets have good water pressure? Do the pipes rattle or bang?
Drawers and cabinets : Do the drawers stick? Is there enough room for your stuff? Are the cabinets at a practical height?
Heating and cooling : Is there central AC or a wall unit? How loud is the heating and cooling unit? Are you hot or cold even though the air is on a good temperature?
Electrical sockets : Are there enough three-prong sockets in each room?
Keep your ears open : Ever notice that anytime you view an apartment it’s almost eerily quiet? That’s because landlords know ideal times to show a vacant unit, usually when other tenants are out. And unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell if the walls are paper thin. New apartments usually have better construction, but they probably will still have half-inch drywall and very little insulation. But that doesn’t mean you have to take a gamble. Check for possible sources of insanity-inducing noises.
Check out the neighbors : If the neighbors are around, introduce yourself. If you’re checking out an apartment on a high floor, you should look below you in the stairwell to sneak a peek at the downstairs tenant’s patio or entryway to see if there are any indications of noise making neighbors.
Beware of the night : Rentals can feel a lot different in the evening. Since you’re most likely doing a walk-through during the day, you’ll have to use your imagination. Look for external lights that might cause a problem. Is there a street light right outside your bedroom window? Check the window coverings as well. Even if it looks good, it might not function well. When all else fails, you can do a drive-by at night to see if you can spot any potential annoyances.
Do some pest control : It may be impossible to tell if you’re about to move into a pest-infested place – some insects are really good at hiding. But there are a few things you can be on high alert for during the walk-through. For bigger insects, check the backs of countertops, corners and behind appliances for the telltale sign of infestation. For small rodents, be on the look out for shredded paper, tissue or bits of clothing along the baseboards. Unfortunately, some serious infestations such as fleas and bedbugs are nearly impossible to spot in a vacant apartment. But if the place is still occupied, you can peek behind the mattress and box spring. And if you get bit – run. That apartment is probably infested with something you don’t want to be your problem.
Survey your location : We all want to live in a cool neighborhood. But consider this – it may be convenient to have amenities nearby, or you may end up hating it. Always question how loud a business may be, how late it operates and if it will make traffic outside your door unbearable. And if you do run into any potential snags in your walk-through, go ahead and ask the landlord about it.
