You’ve finally found your new apartment. Congratulations! But before you sign the lease and move in, you should do a walk-through with your landlord or a rental agent. It’s important to be observant during apartment walk-through so you can spot any damages before moving in and receive the full amount of your security deposit once you move out. Here are some key areas to look at and a few important questions to ask during your apartment walk-through.
What Is a Walk-Through?
A walk-through is exactly what it sounds like: you walk through the apartment with a rental agent or landlord before signing a lease. Renters complete a walk-through after moving out as well. During a walk-through, you (the renter), will check to see if there are any issues with the unit that need to be fixed before signing the lease and moving in. Identifying these issues is vital because you don’t want to be charged fees for any damage that was present before you moved in. It would be very inconvenient to not receive a full security deposit because of damage you didn’t create. An effective walk-through with your landlord or rental agent also reduces the likelihood of security deposit disputes because it gives you the opportunity to discuss and document the condition of the rental.
It’s common for a landlord or rental agent to print off a walk-through checklist for you to sign off on. The walk-through checklist details the condition of each room and appliance along with any present damages. Although you might receive a checklist from your landlord, it’s important to have your own checklist so you don’t miss anything.
What Should I Look for During a Walk-Through? What Questions Should I Ask?
During your walk-through, take your time, be very observant, and pay attention to detail. As you walk around, take photos and videos of any damage you see. You should also take notes on your phone or a piece of paper. As a good rule of thumb, you want to make sure all the appliances work and are clean. Here are some questions you should ask yourself during a walk-through.
Download the checklist:
Apartment Walkthrough Checklist
Kitchen
- Test every appliance to ensure it works correctly. Is the exterior and interior of every appliance clean? Make sure these appliances turn on:
- Oven and stovetop
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Garbage disposal
- Check the oven and stovetop. Are the burners clean? Does the broiler work?
- Check the temperature of the fridge and freezer and make sure they are cold. The freezer should be free of ice as well.
- Does the kitchen sink drain? Are there any signs of mold or water damage underneath the sink?
- Open and close all the cabinets and drawers. Do you see any chips or scratches? Do they open correctly?
- Test the range hood’s light and fan.
Bathroom
- Is the bathroom clean?
- Do all the faucets work? How is the water pressure? Test for hot water as well.
- Does the bathroom sink drain properly? Does the shower drain properly?
- Are there any cracked tiles or missing grout in the sink, bathtub, or shower?
- Do all the light fixtures work?
- Look around the toilet. Look under and around the sink. Does anything look damp? Are the pipes dripping water? Are there any signs of mold or water damage?
- Does the toilet flush?
- Does the fan turn on?
- Does the medicine cabinet open properly?
Laundry Room
- Do the washer and dryer work properly?
- If you have an on-site laundry facility, is it well maintained? Is it brightly lit? Ask your landlord or agent if there are any safety features to ensure only residents have access.
Entire Apartment
- Are there any unusual odors present?
- Run the heater and air conditioning to make sure they can produce heat and cold air.
- Do all the lights turn on? Are there any flickering lights?
- Do all the outlets work? Tip: you can use a phone charger to test outlets!
- Do the doors and windows open and close smoothly? Do the screens and panes need to be repaired or replaced?
- Pay attention to signs of water damage on the ceiling or floor. Water damage can be seen in several ways including warped flooring, peeling paint, musty odors, wall stains, and leaking water.
- Pay attention to the flooring. If the room has carpet, check for any stains and odors. If you have hardwood or vinyl flooring, are there any large scuffs? Do you notice any bubbling or buckling?
- Check the walls for peeling paint, cracks, and stains. Are there any marks or discolorations on the walls?
- Check under sinks and in closets for signs of any rodents or insects.
- Do the closets have a sturdy pole or fixtures for hanging clothing?
Security and Safety
- Do all the door locks in the house work properly? Do any of the doorknobs have issues? Do all the window locks work? Your locks and doorknobs shouldn’t wobble or shift. Also, make sure you have a working key for each lock. Check for any drafts as well.
- Do you have a peephole?
- Do all your lights work?
- Do the blinds and curtains open and close?
- Are there carbon monoxide and smoke detectors? Do they work?
- Is there is a security system installed? Does it work?
- Is there a fire extinguisher?
- Where is the circuit breaker located?
What Happens After the Walk-Through?
After you are finished walking through the apartment with your landlord, address any concerns you have and discuss a plan to fix any damages. Follow up by sending your landlord or property manager a copy of your photos, videos, and notes in an email to document what you discussed. Keep a copy for your own records as well because you may need them when you move out.
What Should I Do if I Live Out of State or I’m Unable to Do a Walk-Through Before I Move In?
Thanks to technology, you can maneuver appropriately if you are unable to do a walk-through in person. If you live close enough, you can ask to do a self-guided tour. Landlords who allow self-guided tours and walk-throughs typically leave a lockbox or give potential tenants a pin to a smart lock to allow them to view it alone. If you can’t do a self-guided tour, ask for a walk-through video to be sent to your phone. If they send you a video, have someone else look at the video as well because a second set of eyes could catch a detail you didn’t notice before. Tenants can also ask the landlord or agent to Facetime, Zoom, or Skype them as they walk around the rental.
Many landlords and property managers are willing to work with potential tenants who can’t do an in-person walk-through, especially during unusual circumstances. If you’re unable to do a walk-through in person before your move-in date, reach out to your landlord or property management company about possible accommodations. Most people begin the apartment hunting process virtually, so keep in mind that you can also use the internet to help you beyond browsing listings or reading reviews.
