Even if you’ve been a renter your whole life, it’s always exciting to sign a rental agreement and move into a new apartment.
However, before you willingly sign any contract, you must take your time and ensure the apartment is worth the rent price.
Although an inspection might initially seem unnecessary, it’s a helpful tool for documenting its condition. Here’s a list of things you should look for during an inspection.
Furnishings
In case the apartment is furnished, make sure you examine the condition of any furniture. It’s important to note down anything you find out of the ordinary with the bed, table, chairs, and other items.
Watch out for scratches and other cosmetic issues first, and then inspect the furniture’s structure. Bear in mind that loose table legs, torn upholstery, or sticking drawers can result in greater damages when exposed to ordinary wear and tear.
Floors
The floor is frequently the first thing people notice in an apartment. When moving in, ensure the carpets are clean and without tears or snags.
Be sure that carpeting is everywhere without any missing pieces. The carpets shouldn’t have stains and shouldn’t smell bad.
For bathrooms and kitchens, the apartment manager should have swept and mopped the floors. You should also make sure tiles aren’t missing, scuffed, scraped, or popping out. Walking throughout an apartment will damage floors over time.
Furthermore, shoes, dirt, moving furniture etc can leave dents and scratches. Therefore, watch out for imperfections throughout the inspection.
If the apartment has hardwood flooring, examine whether it’s scratched or dull. Bear in mind that older buildings typically have worn-out and creaking wood floors, so specify in your write up.
Walls
There’s a high likelihood you’ll decorate your walls during your lease, so you may cause damage. You can easily fix holes from screws and nails, so there’s no need to worry about them. However, you must note destruction caused by former tenants, for instance:
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Dents or holes
You don’t want to incur charges later for the holes a previous tenant left, so document them.
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Scuff Marks
Everything from dark sheets to bicycle tires can leave marks on the wall, so take note of the marks on the wall.
Peeling Paint
Most landlords typically repaint apartments after previous tenants move out, so this shouldn’t be a major issue, though it’s always good to confirm.
You should also indicate the exact place where the paint is peeling. It’s crucial to check all walls carefully before moving in. To begin with, the paint shouldn’t be chipped and must be consistent throughout the dwelling.
Ensure the walls don’t have stains and the paint doesn’t comprise poisonous materials. If the apartment features wood-paneled walls, make sure there aren’t rotten or loose boards.
During the inspection, establish whether there are holes where the previous tenant had pictures or posters.
Bathroom and Kitchen
Spend extra time examining these rooms because they have more fixtures and appliances that could cause issues.
You should also look for proof of water damage on the walls and floors. In the kitchen, confirm that the stove’s burners are functioning and check for any cosmetic issues such as broken parts or scratches.
Once you’ve located the ideal apartment in a great neighborhood, it’s important you perform an inspection with the landlord to make the necessary repairs before moving in.
If you don’t do so, you could potentially be held liable for any damages, resulting in a smaller portion of the security deposit. If you’re wondering where to start, this list should be helpful.
For more information on what to look for during an apartment inspection, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave other suggestions.