7 Things to Inspect Before Renting An Apartment

When searching for a new apartment, we have a tendency to just look at the surface and make our decision, when in reality, we should be looking much deeper into any perspective property we are looking to rent.  Below is a list of things you should look at before signing any sort of lease agreement or hiring a local moving company in Tucson.

1. Floors

If there is carpeting in the home, you will want to check that it is in good condition.  What does good condition mean? Well, there are a few things you will want to check for such as stains, an odor, snags or tears.  You will also want to make sure that the carpet is not coming up at the edges or corners of rooms. A basic thing that you should be able to notice right away is if the carpet has been vacuumed.  Vacuuming the carpet before a showing is literally the least a landlord can do when showing an apartment to a prospective tenant, so if they have not taken the time to vacuum it, where else will they try to cut corners?

If the apartment has hardwood or laminate flooring, you will want to look for scratched or damaged pieces.  If there are tiles, you will want to see if any other tiles themselves are broken, popping out or even missing.  If so, will the landlord be replacing this flooring with something new, and if so, what will it be? Any flooring that is not carpet should be free of debris and also have been mopped prior to showing.

2. Walls

Prior to moving into an apartment, most landlords will paint the walls, but if they haven’t you should inquire as to if they will be doing that.  You will also want to note if there are any stains, holes, mildew or paint chipped off, which are relatively easy fixes, but something that should be resolved prior to your move in date.

3. Windows

The windows in a home are some of the most overlooked items.  You will want to check not only that all of the windows in the home are in good condition, meaning that they are not missing, chipped or cracked.  For safety reasons, you will want to make sure that the windows are able to be opened and closed without becoming jammed. You should also look to see if the windows are double paned, as that will help keep heating and cooling costs down.  Along with the windows themselves, you should check to make sure that every window has a screen that is in good condition and that if there are blinds, that they all work.

4. HVAC

Does the apartment you are looking at advertize that it has both heating and air conditioning?  If so, you should find the thermostat and turn it on. You will want to confirm that the thermostat is accurate and that both units are currently working, and if they are not, it is not out of question to ask that it be repaired prior to your move in date.

5. Bathrooms

Flush the toilet and make sure there are no clogs, or that the toilet runs after its been flushed.  You will also want to turn on the faucets both for the sink and in the shower to make sure that both the cold and hot water work, the pressure is good and that there are no leaks when the water is running.  It is also wise to look under the sink to make sure that there is not a hidden leak. Another thing you will want to look for is mold or mildew, which you should be able to smell or see if it is present.

6. Bedrooms

You will want to make sure that all of the doors in your bedrooms open and close easily.  Also, if there are locks, do they work? You will also want to check that all of the lights work throughout the house and there are clean faceplates on light switches and outlets, alike, meaning that there are no loose wires hanging out that could harm someone.  Be sure to check that the closets are clean and that if there are shelves or clothes rods, that they are in good working condition. While you are going through rooms, you will also want to make sure that there are working smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector.

7. Kitchen

Open up the refrigerator and make sure that it is clean, cold, empty and that there is no mold present.  Then you should go over to the oven and check that it is clean both inside and out. When you are done checking the oven, you will want to go to the sink and turn on the faucet and make sure that both the cold and hot water work, there are no leaks above and then open the cabinet below to see that there are no leaks below.  Another thing you should do is open your dishwasher to make sure it is clean and there isn’t build up in the bottom. Once you have checked all of the obvious areas for mildew and such, you will want to open the cabinets, being sure to pay attention to the top shelves to be certain there is not a rodent problem, for if there is, there will be droppings present.

When you have found the perfect apartment, be sure to hire a local moving company in Tucson, Arizona to pack and ship your belongings, whether is be local or long distance.  Our service does not stop at simply bringing your boxes into your new home, but we can also help you hang pictures or televisions, or unpack your items and get rid of the packing materials.  Give us a call today to see how we can streamline this move into the next chapter of your life!