Apartment Search Checklist
Have you moved into an apartment only to discover a bunch of things you dislike? Are you moving into your first apartment and don't know what to look for? Whether it's your first apartment of your fiftieth use this checklist to help spot red flags so you can find the perfect place.
Assess its suitability for work from home
Many employers have now adopted permanent work-from-home or hybrid work policies. As a renter, that means a lot of time spent in your apartment. If that’s your situation, take extra care to make sure your future space is suitable for remote work. Will you need a dedicated office space? Do you have a partner or roommate who also works from home, and can you work in the same space? Is the overall environment quiet and distraction-free? Ask other tenants about how noisy the place is. In addition after spending a day working in an apartment, you might want to get out and do something. Is the apartment close to things that get you out of the house like parks, bike paths, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.
Assess what the surrounding area is like day and night
You may be focused on finding a new address, but its important to pay attention to the context as you search for a new place. Was it challenging to drive there or take public transportation? Are there lots of bars and fast-food joints nearby? Is the apartment next to a busy intersection or bus stop? If possible, visit this new place at different times of the day, but at the very least during rush hour to see just how loud the area gets. The big question to ask yourself is, do I feel safe and comfortable right now?
Take a look at the common areas
As you tour new apartment, pay attention to how well-kept the common areas are, the condition of hallways, stoops, stairwells, lawns, gardens can give you an idea of the types of people who live there as well as the owners. You might also check out where the garbage and recycling are and how well-kept that area is.
Look for signs of pests
Vermin like roaches and mice are the icons of a bad apartment and landlord, get thorough when you evaluate your potential new place. Bring a flashlight along to search corners, the insides of cabinets, and other crevices for signs of bugs, like droppings, or shedding.
Inspect doors and windows
Check all doors and windows to see that they open and close and latch and lock. But then take it a step further and investigate how energy efficient they might be. Do exterior doors need door sweeps replaced? Are old windows painted shut or very drafty? They could cost you a lot of money in the future when it comes to heating and cooling your place if you have to pay utilities.
Inspect all plumbing
Few people think to run all the faucets, showers and other fixtures and flush all the toilets, but doing so can give you indications about the state of the plumbing. If the toilet(s) doesn’t flush well or runs very long, you could end up spending extra money on your water bill and having to deal with maintenance, same goes for leaking faucets and showers. Check the shower for proper pressure and temperature. If you’re able to check the water heater, does it look like its in good condition, or does it look old and worn out? A worn-out water heater can significantly impact your shower temperature and water bill. Lastly check all the shut off valves for proper operation, all sinks, toilets, and hot water heaters should have shut off valves.
Inspect the electrical system
Before touring an apartment get yourself an outlet tester and familiarize yourself with its operation. When touring an apartment, check all outlets for proper operation. Also make sure there are enough sockets in each room for the electronics you use and check to see if they have GFCI outlets in the bathroom and kitchen. Also check and make sure all switches and light fixtures are working properly. Lastly check for access to the electrical panel, the panel should be easy to access and each circuit labeled.
Pay attention to ceilings, walls, and floors
Look for stains that might indicate active leaks and large cracks that may reveal serious foundation issues. Look for signs of moisture or mold. Examine the flooring to see if it’s relatively clean and whether or not there’s damage, loose boards, or tripping hazards.
Make sure you get cell reception
Make a call to test the building’s cell reception. Do a quick search for what internet providers work in that area and see if it’ll be enough for your digital needs.
Talk to a few current tenants
Don’t feel like you have to go knocking on everyone’s doors, but if you see any potential new neighbors out and about, say hello, introduce yourself, and ask them how they like living there and how they get along with the landlord. Don’t let their words be the final say of whether or not you choose to rent, but take them into account like everything else you’ve checked off from this list.
Pay attention to parking
Is a parking spot included in your rent, or will you have to pay extra for it? Is it a covered spot, street parking, or in a secure garage? Will you feel safe walking to and from the parking area at night? If you have guests, where will they park, and what will it cost? Also, check to see if any disruptive events occur in the neighborhood and whether they will affect your parking arrangements. If you ride a bicycle is there bike racks or better yet covered bike parking?
Practice the commute
If you have an in person or hybrid job do a test run of your commute from the apartment to your job. Either go during your usual commuting time or, if you have to go on a weekend, make a mental note of how much longer the drive would take during rush hour. Sometimes a route that looks relatively painless on Google Maps turns out to be more of a headache than expected.