Everything to Look For Before You Say “Yes”
Category: Finding an Apartment
Looking at an apartment is easy.
Looking at an apartment carefully is much harder.
When you’re excited about finding a place to live, it’s easy to focus on the things that stand out.
The beautiful kitchen.
The big bedroom.
The nice view.
The fresh paint.
Meanwhile, you might completely miss that none of the windows lock, the water pressure is terrible, or there aren’t enough electrical outlets for your everyday needs.
The goal of an apartment tour isn’t to decide whether you like the apartment.
It’s to decide whether the apartment will work for your daily life.
This checklist will help you slow down, pay attention to the details, and ask the questions many first-time renters don’t even realize they should ask.
Bring this checklist with you when you tour apartments. Check off each item as you go. If something doesn’t seem right, ask about it. There are no embarrassing questions when you’re choosing where you’ll live.
Before You Leave Home
Bring these items with you:
- □ Your phone (for photos and notes)
- □ A pen or pencil
- □ This checklist
- □ A measuring tape (optional but helpful)
- □ A small flashlight (your phone flashlight works fine)
- □ A bottle of water if you’ll be touring several apartments
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking through multiple rooms, opening doors, climbing stairs, and possibly exploring the neighborhood afterward.
Before You Even Walk Inside
Many people don’t realize your apartment begins outside the front door.
Take a few minutes to look around before you enter.
Entering the Apartment
As soon as you walk in, don’t let the excitement rush you.
Take a deep breath.
Look around.
Notice how the apartment feels.
Ask yourself:
- □ Does it smell clean?
- □ Is there a musty odor?
- □ Do you notice cigarette smoke?
- □ Does anything smell like mold?
- □ Is the temperature comfortable?
Sometimes your first impression tells you something important.
The Living Room
Take your time.
Look beyond the furniture that’s currently there.
Check:
- □ Are there enough electrical outlets?
- □ Do outlets appear damaged?
- □ Are walls in good condition?
- □ Any stains or water damage?
- □ Do windows open?
- □ Do windows lock?
- □ Do blinds work?
- □ Is there enough natural light?
- □ Is there enough space for your furniture?
The Kitchen
You’ll probably use this room every day.
Open everything.
Seriously.
Cabinets.
Drawers.
Refrigerator.
Oven.
Don’t feel awkward.
This is your opportunity.
Check:
- □ Refrigerator works
- □ Freezer is cold
- □ Stove burners work
- □ Oven appears clean
- □ Microwave included?
- □ Dishwasher included?
- □ Cabinets open properly
- □ Enough cabinet space
- □ Sink drains well
- □ Water pressure is good
- □ Hot water works
- □ No leaks under sink
The Bathroom
Bathrooms can reveal hidden maintenance problems.
Check carefully.
- □ Toilet flushes properly
- □ Sink drains
- □ Shower water pressure
- □ Hot water available
- □ Exhaust fan works
- □ No mold
- □ No water damage
- □ No soft flooring
- □ Towel bars secure
- □ Medicine cabinet usable
The Bedroom
Remember:
Your bedroom isn’t just where you sleep.
It’s where you’ll relax, get dressed, and store many of your belongings.
Check:
- □ Closet size
- □ Closet doors work
- □ Windows open
- □ Windows lock
- □ Enough outlets
- □ Ceiling light works
- □ Enough room for bed and dresser
Laundry
Ask:
- □ Washer and dryer included?
- □ Laundry room in building?
- □ Coin-operated?
- □ App payment?
- □ Nearby laundromat?
Laundry seems like a small detail until you’re carrying heavy baskets every week.
Heating & Air Conditioning
Ask:
- □ How is the apartment heated?
- □ Is air conditioning included?
- □ Who controls the thermostat?
- □ Average utility costs?
- □ Has the HVAC been serviced recently?
Storage
Think about where your everyday items will go.
Look for:
- □ Coat closet
- □ Linen closet
- □ Pantry
- □ Extra storage
- □ Basement storage
- □ Bike storage
Safety
Safety deserves extra attention.
Check:
- □ Deadbolt lock
- □ Peephole
- □ Working smoke detectors
- □ Carbon monoxide detector
- □ Fire extinguisher (if provided)
- □ Well-lit hallways
- □ Secure building entrance
- □ Emergency exits
If something feels unsafe, trust your instincts.
Questions to Ask the Landlord
Don’t leave without asking questions.
Examples include:
- What utilities are included?
- Average electric bill?
- Internet providers available?
- When is rent due?
- How do maintenance requests work?
- How quickly are repairs completed?
- Is renter’s insurance required?
- Are pets allowed?
- Is there a guest policy?
- Are there quiet hours?
- How much is the security deposit?
- What happens when the lease ends?
Write the answers down.
You’ll probably tour multiple apartments, and they can start blending together.
Take Pictures
With permission, take photos of:
- Every room
- Appliances
- Closets
- Views from windows
- Parking area
- Building entrance
- Anything damaged
Pictures make comparing apartments much easier later.
Compare Before Deciding
Don’t choose an apartment because you’re tired of looking.
After each tour, rate it.
Examples:
Safety ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Location ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Storage ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Kitchen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Noise ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Parking ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Comparing apartments on paper often makes the best choice much clearer.
Common Mistakes
❌ Falling in love with appearance before checking functionality
❌ Forgetting to ask about utilities
❌ Not checking water pressure
❌ Forgetting to test windows
❌ Ignoring storage space
❌ Not researching the neighborhood
❌ Feeling embarrassed to ask questions
Quick Apartment Tour Checklist
Outside
□ Building maintained
□ Parking
□ Neighborhood
□ Lighting
Living Room
□ Outlets
□ Windows
□ Walls
□ Space
Kitchen
□ Appliances
□ Cabinets
□ Water pressure
□ Storage
Bathroom
□ Toilet
□ Shower
□ Hot water
□ Mold
Bedroom
□ Closet
□ Windows
□ Outlets
□ Furniture space
Safety
□ Locks
□ Smoke detectors
□ CO detector
□ Building security
Before Leaving
□ Asked questions
□ Took photos
□ Wrote notes
□ Rated apartment
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve found an apartment you like, your next step is understanding exactly what you’re agreeing to before you sign.
Continue with:
- Understanding Leases
- How Much Apartment Can I Afford?
- Applying for an Apartment
- Moving Day Checklist
Remember, it’s perfectly okay to walk away from an apartment that doesn’t feel right. Finding a place to live is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and taking an extra day to compare your options is far better than rushing into a home that doesn’t meet your needs.
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