Ultimate Apartment Tour Checklist for College Students
Finding a great apartment is very important. If you unknowingly sign for a bad apartment, it can mean that you’ll be facing a year-long headache because you didn’t know to check the noise level of the apartment and you have insanely thin walls and rowdy neighbors. Or you might have a landlord that’s infamous for never getting his or her maintenance team on the scene when there’s an emergency maintenance request. Apartment leases can be tough to get out of once you’ve signed and paid any of those upfront fees.
If you’re planning to go on a few apartment tours within the next few months, don’t go empty-handed! The following Apartment Tour Checklist has everything you should check over before you begin the application process.
Clean floors
You should check on the condition of the floor when you walk into the apartment. Are there any sizable stains on the carpet or tears? Does the carpet have any areas that may cause you to trip and would be considered a safety hazard? Make sure you are happy with the condition of the floor and that it’s clean before you sign.
Damage to walls and/or ceilings
Look for any holes in the walls and ceilings that could be problematic. You should also check for any water damage on the ceilings. If there’s brown staining anywhere, this is a sign of water damage. If you also smell a musty or mildewy smell, this could mean that mold is present in the home.
Water flows well
Try out all of the faucets and showerheads in the unit, making sure the water turns on for each of them. The water should come out clear and clean. If the water is brownish or if there’s any rattling or clanking before or after you turn on the water, that signals a problem.
A/C runs efficiently
Run that air for all it’s worth. See if it thoroughly cools down and heats up the entire unit and note how long it takes to do so.
Well-ventilated rooms
You should make sure that each of the rooms is well-ventilated. None of the rooms should be muggy or humid. If they are, this could offer a chance for mold or mildew to grow in that room.
Happy neighbors/Other tenants
Talking with the other tenants in the apartment complex or neighbors that have their place managed by the same landlord can provide you with some valuable insight into how it really is to live in the area. Most people are happily willing to fill you in on any good or bad experiences they’ve had with the management. Ask if the Wi-Fi works well, how they like the neighborhood, and if they’d sign again.
Online reviews
I recommend looking over the online reviews for the apartment complex you’re interested in and/or the property management that runs the place after you’ve toured. That way you can compare what you’ve found out for yourself with other resident reviews as well as see some things that you might not have known about the place until after you signed the lease.
Friendly staff
You don’t want to have to deal with rude staff every time you go into the front office, do you? If the resident staff seems like they’re not happy with their job or they seem to be goofing off in the back while there are people waiting in line, take a note of that.
Appliances functioning
Nothing is worse than trying to go warm up a TV dinner to find out that your microwave isn’t working. As you’re touring the apartment, try out any appliances in the unit and see if they work.
Nice neighborhood
It’s a good idea to get a feel for the neighborhood you would be living in if you decided to sign for the apartment. Take a short walk and see if the neighborhood looks clean and friendly. Another thing to check is the crime rate of the area. You can look online at your city’s website for a crime map of the city to find out if the area you’re thinking about living in is safe.
Noise level
Students don’t want to have to worry about being able to hear their neighbor’s loud party when they have a test to study for that evening. Keep an ear open for how much you’re able to hear from the inside of the apartment.
Cell phone reception
You don’t want to find out you don’t get great cell phone reception after you’ve signed the lease. Be aware of how good (or bad) your cell reception is as you tour.
Wi-Fi
Will you need to provide your own router for the Wi-Fi in your unit or does it already come with one? Are you in charge of finding an Internet service provider?
Distance from campus
How far are you willing to be from campus? If you don’t have a car, you should make sure a bus stop is nearby.
Distance from grocery stores
As I mentioned in the last one, if you don’t have a car, you’ll want to make sure that there’s a bus stop nearby or there’s something within walking distance.
Pet-friendly
If you plan on bringing your pet with you, one of the first things to do is check if the apartment is pet-friendly and how much it will cost to have your pet there. Also, pet-friendly might mean the last tenants had animals of their own in the apartment. Be aware of any fleas or dirty spots on the carpet that may need attention.
Pool and other amenities
Amenities are very important to some renters. If you’d like a pool to relax in or a gym to work out in that’s close to home, you should ask to see them during your apartment tour.
Closet and storage space
How much room will you need to put your clothes and other belongings in? The closet should have ample space for your clothes. If your place comes furnished, will that dresser be enough to put your clothes in?
Windows and blinds
You should open and close all of the windows and blinds to make sure they’re in working order.
Signs of pests
Seeing any dead (or live) roaches or other pests? Rodent droppings in the corners? These are bad signs. If you’re still in love with the apartment, try to work out a plan with the management on dealing with the pests before you move in.
Electricity works
You should plug in your phone or other devices into each outlet in the unit to see if the outlets are all in working order. Switch on the lights in the rooms and note anything that’s not turning on.
Parking
Not being able to park close to your home after a long day of work sucks, big-time. Check with your guide on how the parking there works or even if you’ll have your own designated spot.
Doors
I’ve had an issue with the front door not being all the way sealed in my unit. All types of smells have wafted in here because of this, and it’s harder to get warm. Don’t make my same mistake! Make sure all doors that lead to the outside are properly sealed and there’s not light pouring in from under or above the door.
All of the doors in the unit should open and close properly. If you’re going to be living with strangers, a locking door handle for what would be your room is necessary.
Washer and dryer
Do you mind having the laundry facilities outside of your unit? Always scout out the washer and dryer in an apartment complex so you can plan accordingly in the future.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to make the best decision when it comes time to find that dream apartment of yours. If you stick to this checklist and your gut, you will be fine. Happy apartment-hunting!