10 Things to Check Out Before Renting an Apartment

Moving to a new apartment can be exciting and challenging at the same time. It can be exciting because you are going to meet new people from a new place that will eventually bring big changes and impacts to your life. Challenging, of course, as there are things to consider before signing to the apartment contract like, basically, the rate of the house and its location. Being said that, there are still other more important things you should ponder on to prevent future problems between you and your land lord. And here are 10 basic things you should check out before renting that prospective apartment:

Check for Cell Reception

In this era, cell reception can be considered as important as electric power. If the Internet connection is very poor and you cannot receive or send calls and messages, you might not be able to live there comfortably on a long term basis. So when you are checking your new place, be sure to observe your phone and try to call someone to make sure the signal is okay.

Cleanliness of the Apartment/Building

Of course, if no one is residing in an apartment, dust and amount of debris are very normal to see. But you should still check the overall cleanliness of the area, especially the exterior part as it will reflect how responsible the landlord or the caretaker – that you are about to meddle with – it.

Make Sure Everything Really Works

You really do not want to have your things and appliances be placed inside your apartment only to find out that the electric sockets are not working. You can definitely prevent this earlier if you have just tested all the sockets and lights when you are just checking out the apartment. A good way to do it is to bring a tester or even a charger and try if every plug is working well. Also, bring a light bulb with you in case there are no bulbs installed so you can check if the lights are working properly.

Inspect All the Major Appliances

You may want to make sure all the major appliances that are included in the apartment are working well. Check the fridge first, is it clean? Is it cold? Are all the foods by the last tenant were already thrown away? How about the stove? Is it an electric or a gas stove? If it is an electric one, are there any faulty wirings? If it is a gas stove, is there any smell of gas when you use it? These are just some of the questions you might want to ask yourself before settling down.

Check if Heat and A/C Works Properly

When you go for the first time to your prospective apartment to check it out, turn the HVAC on immediately so you can observe how long can it cool or heat the whole place. If it does work, check if there are any water leakage and loose wirings around the unit. Make sure the filter is clean and properly installed because the previous tenant may not have put the filter in at all. Ask the landlord if they manage to check their HVAC to Air Conditioning Specialists before you decide to rent out the apartment.

Test the Water Pressure

Next, go into the bathroom and turn the water of the shower and the faucet on. Check if the water is clear enough and if it gets cold or hot. Test the flush of the toilet to make sure it is working properly. While you are at it, open also the cabinets and make sure there is no molds and mildew and there is no strange smell in it.

Security Matters

This is one of the most important factors you should consider. You want to have a secured place for you and your family, don’t you? You can research local crimes that happen around the vicinity of your prospective apartment. Also, you may want to change the locks on all the doors of your house after you have moved in so you are sure that only you have access to it.

Check for Emergency Exits

Accidents happen all the time and we don’t know when it will hit us. That’s where the importance of emergency exits comes in. Make sure the apartment you will move in has one and it is accessible to your family in case of fire or any unwanted events.

Take Photos to Every Minor Flaw

If you have decided which apartment to move in, don’t rush to bring all your things in just yet. Get your camera first and document by taking a picture of every flaw – no matter how trivial it may seem – of the apartment. It may be small scratches, floor or wall cracks, wooden fixture damage, and other things. Why? So you will have an evidence that the flaw or damage was already there even before you even move in.

Talk to Neighbors Before You Sign

Talking to the neighborhood can help you pick the best apartment for you. Ask what type of person your potential landlord is. Is the neighborhood easy to get along? Moreover, you can ask what the worst thing about the apartment is. These types of question can really help you make the best decision for you and your family.