5 Things Most People Forget to Check when Apartment Hunting
When looking for an apartment to rent, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. By the 10th viewing, you may not be able to tell one place from the next anymore. That’s when it’s easy to overlook problems you might regret later. No matter how many apartments you look at, always check these 5 things!
- Cabinets: You’ll want to check that the cabinets have enough room for all your dishes, but this is also one of the fastest ways to spot an infestation. Check the back corners and under shelves for bugs, droppings, or other signs of pests.
- Light switches and outlets: Make sure they all work, and do what they’re supposed to do. If you can’t determine what a switch does, the landlord should be able to tell you. Test outlets by plugging in your phone. Make sure there are enough outlets where you’ll need them.
- Water pressure and temperature: Run the taps and even the shower to check the pressure. Turn the tap or shower to cold, then hot, and see how long it takes to heat up. Flush all the toilets and make sure they function properly.
- Appliances: Check that the stove, fridge, and any other appliances included are clean and in good working order. Look for mold and mildew in the fridge, and rust or damage inside the oven. Test that all the stove’s burners are working properly.
- Cell reception: If you don’t have a home phone (yes, some people do still have them) you’ll likely need to use your cell inside your apartment. Try sending and receiving texts or making a call from the apartment’s living areas to make sure you have decent reception. Otherwise you might be leaning out the window every time you want to make a call!
The most important aspect of apartment hunting is to find a landlord you’re comfortable with. They should be able to answer any questions you have, and address any concerns quickly and easily.
