Apartment Tour Checklist: What to Look for When Touring a New Apartment

Touring an apartment before moving in is essential. Online photos are helpful when deciding which communities to tour but visiting the space in person gives you a feel for the size of the rooms, what the space looks like without staging, and the quality of the interior. Taking the time to visit and tour a potential apartment can save you costly mistakes in the long run. Before you take the leap and sign a lease, read this apartment tour checklist so you know what to look out for, what questions to ask, and how to know if the apartment is right for you.

What to Do Before Touring an Apartment

Research the property and neighborhood

If you’re going in person to tour an apartment, chances are you know the neighborhood and area you may call home. But just in case, make sure to research the neighborhood your property is located in. Is the area safe? How long is your commute? Where are the closest grocery stores? Think about what is important to you in an apartment community and make sure these non-negotiables are available before scheduling a tour.

Consult the reviews left on the property’s website. Past and current renters often leave reviews discussing the neighborhood, management, and other tenants. This gives you a good idea of whether the apartment could be a good fit before your visit.  

Prepare questions in advance

Touring an apartment is a lot like a job interview- it must be a good fit for you to sign a contract. Arrive with questions prepared in advance. Some important questions to ask are:

• What is the total monthly rent?
• Are there any additional fees or deposits?
• Are utilities included? If so, which ones?
• What are the lease terms and conditions?
• Do I need to get renters insurance?
• How do I file maintenance requests?
• What is the guest policy?
• What is the parking policy?
• Is the apartment pet-friendly? If so, are there any additional fees or deposits?

Don’t forget to ask the questions that are most important to you. This could be your next living space, so make sure you know what you’re entering.

What to Look for During Your Tour

Touring a new apartment is exciting, but don’t let this excitement distract you from items that need closer inspection. Verify that the walls, plumbing, and electricity are functional and in good condition before you sign a lease. Let’s break down exactly what you should be looking for when you tour a new apartment.

Overall condition of the apartment

The interior of an apartment can alert you to whether the space has been properly taken care of. Pay close attention to the walls, ceilings, and floors and check for water damage or mold.

If the apartment comes furnished, don’t assume that the furniture is new and in good condition. Check couches, tables, chairs, and any other furniture in the space and let the property know if any of these items are damaged or broken.

Kitchen and appliances

Most apartment communities have kitchen appliances like refrigerators and ovens ready for you when you move in, but it doesn’t hurt to double check their condition. Make sure that the fridge is cold and the oven heats properly to ensure that there are no electrical issues. Also, run the sink faucet a few times to make sure the water pressure is to your liking.

Touring an apartment gives you the opportunity to imagine what it will feel like to live in the space, so make sure that it’s big enough for your needs. If you love to cook, a larger kitchen with more cabinet space may be important to you. Decide on these things before scheduling a tour to ensure a smoother apartment search.

Bathroom inspection

Inspecting the bathroom for leaks and plumbing issues is essential when touring an apartment. Even though maintenance requests can ease repairs, you can save yourself a potential headache by identifying these issues early.

Ensure that the bathroom, and all rooms, have correct ventilation and no air drafts around windows or doors. Ventilation is especially important during extreme hot and cold months, so taking the time to check now can help prevent future issues.

Safety and security features

Conducting research on an apartment community and surrounding area is important before you move in. Even if you live in a safe area, it’s still important to take safety measures to feel secure in your space.  

Double-check that the locks on all doors and windows work properly. Make sure that smoke detectors are up to date and functional. Older apartments may have loose locks or outdated smoke and fire detectors. Don’t hesitate to bring this up to the property manager- your safety matters.  

Storage and space

Most apartment communities will have photos, floor plans, and dimensions on their website, making it easier to know which apartment could be right for you before scheduling a tour. Pictures can be misleading, so make sure the space fits your needs when you visit in person.  

If this isn’t your first move and you have loads of boxes to unpack, extra storage may be important. Make sure that the layout is also functional for your lifestyle. If you want the laundry room to be closer to the bedroom than the kitchen, verify that the apartment you’re touring has that floor plan.

Apartment Inspection Checklist Before Signing a Lease

Now that you’ve worked through the checklist and double checked your apartment, you’re ready to move forward with signing a lease! Again, moving into a new apartment is exciting, but it’s important to stay detail oriented. Consult this apartment inspection checklist before you sign your lease.

Look for hidden damage

It’s easy to spot damage on the walls, floors, and ceilings, but there can be hidden damage in other parts of the space. Check inside cabinets and under sinks for any water damage or mold. These areas are often overlooked by tenants, so a quick inspection puts you ahead of the game!

Review lease terms carefully

Lease language can be confusing, especially if you’re signing one for the very first time. Read through your lease two or three times and don’t be afraid to ask your landlord questions if anything is unclear.

Make sure that you’re aware of any added fees, deposits, and penalties before committing to the lease. Verify that the lease length is correct and you’re aware of any renewal terms before signing a lease agreement.

Document existing issues

Knowing what to look out for when touring or moving into an apartment helps you stay proactive. If you notice damage to the walls, flickering lights, or broken appliances, document these issues with photos and videos. Many properties won’t charge you for pre-existing damages upon move out if it’s documented in advance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Tour

Touring a new apartment is an exciting first step to living in your own space, but there are some common mistakes renters make when viewing an apartment space for the first time. Some common mistakes to avoid during an apartment tour are:

• Ignoring the neighborhood (safety, parking, noise, etc.)
• Forgetting to test utilities and appliances
• Overlooking hidden costs (fees, utilities, deposits)
• Letting staging distract you

Don’t let the appeal of a new apartment distract you from important details. Small issues now can become bigger problems later.

Red flags to watch out for

Before you schedule a tour, there may be signs that a property isn’t the right fit for you. Red flags to watch out for during your apartment search are poor maintenance, signs of pests, unresponsive management, and unclear lease terms. If you notice these issues, it may be best to move on to the next potential property.  

Move-In Day Checklist for Apartments

Now that you know what to inspect and what to avoid, use this move-in day checklist to ensure you’re starting your lease with confidence.

1. Inspect before unpacking- compare apartment conditions to your lease agreement and verify appliances are working correctly.
2. Take photos and videos- document everything to help protect your security deposit.
3. Test utilities- ensure that water, electricity, HVAC system, and lighting are working properly, and make your property manager aware of any issues.
4. Set up essentials- if utilities are not included in your lease, make sure to set these up quickly so you have access to the internet, water, and other utilities that may not be included in your rent.

Consult this checklist on move-in day and you’ll be ready to take on whatever apartment living throws your way from day one. Happy moving!

Tour Scheduling Made Easy with Apartments.com

Apartments.com makes scheduling a virtual, self-guided, or in-person tour easier than ever. When you find a property that interests you, click on the “Request Tour” button. Input your name, contact information, preferred move-in date, and send a custom message if you would like to relay other information to the property, like what floor plan you’re interested in. Apartments.com makes the often-tiring task of apartment hunting easy. Start your search today!