Skip to Content

What Should I Look For On My Apartment Walkthrough?

Renting is on the rise in the United States. It is estimated that those between the ages of 15 and 34 make up approximately 40.6% of renters, revealing how interested young people are in non-permanent residences. Finding a place to live, especially when you’re young and inexperienced, can be a daunting task; many discover issues only after they’ve signed a lease and moved in, leaving them stuck with no solution. You might already know that 90% of new homes have duct heating and cooling, but will your apartment? You might also consider paying attention to local rent reports like this one from ABODO, to better understand local pricing. Paying attention and asking questions during your apartment walkthrough can do wonders in preventing such an outcome; let’s take a look at some of the most important things you should be focusing on when visiting a potential apartment.

Safety First

Electricity is one of the most vital aspects in a home, no matter where it’s located or how big it is. Not only is its function necessary for basic day-to-day life, but its faultiness could lead to serious dangers; check the following in the apartment to make sure everything is up to snuff.

  • Bring a cell phone charger to plug into all of the outlets.
  • Test all of the lights.
  • Look at the condition of wall plugs; do they look damaged or burned? This could be a sign of faulty wiring within.

Don’t be afraid to ask for an electrical inspection if you notice any problems or have any concerns; they should be performed every three to five years, and can reveal issues that could lead to fires down the line. Remember: your safety is more important than your potential landlord’s frustration!

Waste And Water

Less dangerous but as important as your apartment’s wiring is its water pressure and temperature. This aspect is often overlooked despite the fact that we use and deal with it every single day; simply test the pressure and temperature of all the taps (bathroom and kitchen) on your hand to make sure it’s suitable. This also means examining the toilet: look inside the tank to make sure the handle is sturdy, so you know it’s not going to snap, and give it a cursory flush to make sure everything is in working order; although it is uncommon for apartment buildings to use septic tanks (around 20% of Americans use septic tanks to dispose of their sewage, while 80% rely on municipal water treatment plants) it’s worth verifying with your landlord as they can present unique problems of their own.

Pesky Pests

Insect infestations represent every tenant’s worst nightmare. The very layout of apartment buildings allows these pests — whether they’re cockroaches or bed bugs — to travel from unit to unit with ease, which also has the added benefit of making them almost impossible to completely eradicate. Keep your eyes peeled for the following signs of infestation.

  • A funky smell. Many pests, especially mice and cockroaches, leave behind a smell you can notice in the air.
  • Dead bugs.
  • Fecal matter. Brown spots in and around cabinets that can come from cockroaches, and small maroon or brown spots on the walls — particularly behind a bed, or by outlets and switch plates — indicate a significant bedbug problem.

Moving into a new apartment can be quite exciting (provided you remember to add an extra 25% more moving materials than you think you’ll need!), but it’s vital that you not rush into anything. Take the time to thoroughly examine your potential new home during your walkthrough; you may end up saving yourself a lot of money and trouble down the road.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.