10 Things to Look for When Selecting an Apartment

Apartment hunting is very stressful and often takes weeks. Here are ten things you should definitely look for when selecting an apartment.

First make sure you take a walk-through of the apartment before you rent it. It needs to be the actual apartment you will be renting and not a “model” apartment.
Second, make sure that the apartment has the proper safety requirements. Look at the locks on the doors and windows. Also look for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers inside the apartment as well as in the hallways and lobby areas.
A third thing to look for when you are selecting an apartment, is to check for leaks in the plumbing. Look around bottoms of sinks and bathtubs for water stains.
Look for any signs of rodents or bugs on the floor and inside cabinets and closets.
Another important factor to consider is the water heater. Turn the water on and see how long it takes before it warms up. Leave it running for the amount of time you normally use to take a shower and see if it starts cooling off in that amount.
Find out about what sort of people live in the apartment. Are there any sex offenders living in the apartments? Do families live in the other apartments, or are the majority of them single or couples? That may seem silly to some, but it is a big minus for people that aren’t accustomed to being around screaming, laughing kids. Also remember, if the supports are made of wood and you are on the bottom floor, you will mostly likely hear a lot of thumping on the ceiling if your upstairs neighbors have small children.
Seventh, you will want to check to see if you will be sharing the hot water heater with your neighbors. This will greatly impact the amount of hot water you have available to you. Also, look at the water heater and coolant systems. If there is rust on the unit, it is a possible sign of leakage, which screams carbon monoxide.
Check all the appliances in the apartment to ensure that they are working properly. If the apartment doesn’t have washer/dryer hook-ups, find out where the laundry area is. Check the laundry area to make sure it is well lighted and ventilated. For your protection, you will also want to ensure that only residents are allowed in the laundry area.
The ninth thing to look for when selecting an apartment, is the parking. Are there extra spaces available during night, afternoon, and weekends? Do you have to pay for parking? You will also want to find out if you will have an assigned lot or not.
The tenth thing is to ask to take the lease agreement home overnight so you can review it carefully. You should check on lease termination clauses and penalties if you should have to move out early.

Following these ten steps will help to ensure that you get the apartment you want. Now get out there and apartment search!