Moving into a new rental can be very thrilling for anyone. However, it’s imperative that you don’t allow the excitement to get the best of you.
Instead, you must conduct a thorough inspection of the rental to ensure it’s up to par. When you move into a new rental and discover that things aren’t in the right order, the proprietor is responsible for repairing them.
If the property owner isn’t aware of these issues when you move in, he or she could deduct the cost of repairs from your security deposit when you move out. Here’s a list of things you need to check off during your inspection.
1. Floors and Walls
The floor is frequently the first thing to notice in a rental. When moving in, ensure the carpets are clean and without tears or snags. The carpets shouldn’t be stained and they shouldn’t smell bad either.
For bathrooms and kitchens, check whether they’ve been swept and mopped. Furthermore, tiles shouldn’t be scraped, missing, or popping out. When it comes to walls, the paint shouldn’t be chipped and it must be consistent throughout the rental.
Ensure the walls don’t have stains either. Furthermore, the paint shouldn’t comprise poisonous materials. If the walls are wood-paneled, make sure there aren’t any rotten or loose boards.
2. Cell phone Reception
Cell phones play a significant role in our daily lives, ranging from work to communicating with family and friends. In the event that you can barely use your phone in your new apartment because of bad reception, that’s a huge problem.
When checking the rental out, make sure you try to use your cell phone or make a call in various areas of the apartment to verify whether there’s consistent reception and that it’s up to your standards.
3. Plumbing
Examine exposed pipes under the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and in the basement. Note any indications of mold, wetness, or other damage that requires repair. You should also run water out of every faucet outside and inside the rental and flush toilets.
Make sure you take photos, inquire about repairs before agreeing to the lease, and make note of the tub and shower if mold exists or if the floor shows signs of water damage.
4. Windows
When conducting window inspection, ensure you can open the windows. Beware that you face a big safety hazard if they don’t open properly. Each room should have at least a window that can open and you should ensure they aren’t leaky and that the glass isn’t broken or chipped.
Furthermore, you should watch out for missing glass panes as well. The windows must function normally and have screens while the glass should be free of mildew and mold.
It’s also important to examine the binds, which should function properly and shouldn’t be broken, stained, or dirty.
5. Appliances
If the rental has appliances, request the property owner to operate all of them to make sure they’re in working order. This includes the stove, refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher.
It’s important to inquire about replacements or repairs if you note problems and document any signs of damage in photos.
Final Thoughts
Before signing a lease, you must be proactive during the rental inspection. The last thing you want is to end up with a decreased security deposit on the day you’re moving out simply because you didn’t notify the landlord of issues that needed repair. If you’re new to apartment hunting, this list will guide you on the things to look for during an inspection.
For more information on conducting an apartment inspection, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment.