How to Inspect Your First Apartment

By Lorena Roberts on April 18, 2017

Are you ready to fly the coop? Are you (finally) moving out of the dorms and into an apartment? Are you relocating and looking for a swanky place to live? Before you sign the papers to lease an apartmentinspect, inspect, inspect. Trust me. It’s the right thing to do.

Not only do you not want to live in a dump, but it’s also important to document what kind of shape the apartment was in when you moved in, as to avoid fines when you decide to move out. Whether you’re going to be spending five years in this apartment, or just six months, here’s what to look for before you sign on the dotted line.

1. Floors, floors, floors

Oftentimes, this is one of the first things people notice upon entering a house or apartment. Does the carpet have stains on it, or does anything look as though it needs to be replaced? Do not settle for less than perfection. Upkeep is your landlord’s responsibility, but it’s your responsibility to hold them accountable.

2. Electricity

Every single outlet in your apartment should work properly when it’s time for you to move in. If there’s an outlet that doesn’t work, your landlord should be notified. The same goes for wall switches. What’s the point of having them there if they don’t even work? That’s an important thing to check out.

Another thing to take note of is the HVAC system. Is the thermostat working? Is it efficient? This is the easiest way to run up a utility bill — so this will always be an important thing to check!

Additionally, if the unit comes with a washer and dryer (like many student apartments do), you’ll want to make sure they both work properly and consider how efficient they may or may not be. If they’re really old or don’t look like they’ve been replaced recently … that may be a sign that your utility bill may be high.

3. Safety

Smoke detectors, deadbolts, and working windows, oh my. It’s always important to check for safety. If you’re going to be living here, you want to be able to sleep soundly at night, am I right?

Your smoke detectors should be in proper working condition, and you should address any other fire safety concerns. If a window doesn’t open, or you can’t fit through it, that’s something to both tell the landlord about and consider before moving in.

In addition, check the outside of the residence as well. What are safety concerns that you have and how will the landlord address these concerns? What’s the neighborhood crime like? (Here’s a map to help you out!)

4. Bathrooms

Be extra sure to check all the plumbing in the bathrooms. Nothing should be wet or dripping around the pipes … you definitely don’t want a moldy apartment. And if the water coming out of the sink looks like this …

buzzfeed.com

… you might want to keep moving.

Also, check for missing tile or grout in the shower area, and while you’re checking out the shower, go ahead and turn it on. To some people, the water pressure of an apartment could make or break whether they choose to lease it.

Flush the toilet — is it constantly dripping? Believe it or not, just this small amount of water could be the difference between a reasonable and unreasonable utility bill. While it may not be important to you now — and you’re just thinking about the cute towels you want to hang up — in three months, you’ll wish you had checked this out earlier.

5. Kitchen

Appliances, appliances, appliances. You’re going to be really annoyed if you get stuck with a dishwasher that hasn’t been upgraded in the last 10 years, or a microwave that doesn’t defrost (or no microwave at all). So while you’re milling about in the kitchen and envisioning all the cute coffee cups you could arrange in the cabinets, remember to check for functionality. 

Is this place going to work for you when you have a few of your friends over for dinner? Will it meet your expectations then? Things like whether or not the fridge has an ice maker could have a lasting impact when it comes to finding an apartment.

6. Pests

Depending on what little (or big) creatures you’ve seen running around dictates the solution to the problem. Handling mice is much different from handling ants. It’s important to know both what you’re dealing with, and how you should deal with it because while your landlord is supposed to fix these kinds of problems, there’s a chance you’ll just have to do it yourself.

The best way to inspect for pests is with a flashlight. Makes sure you’re diligent about looking at any cracks or crevices — really anywhere you think bugs and rodents would be apt to hide. 

7. Neighbors

It may be worth your while to 1) try to meet your potential neighbors, and 2) find out which parts of your apartment would be directly in contact with theirs. The kitchen? Maybe not a big deal … but the living room? That might get annoying. Depending on how picky you are about noise and privacy, this may or may not be a big deal to you.

Some general guidelines to check out:

- The ceiling shouldn’t have any water spots

- Check the walls for peeling paint/wallpaper

- Check the utility closet for water stains or leaks. It’s better to know now than later!

- If you want to check on energy efficiency, here’s a self-assessment

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