Rental Tips: Inspecting before you rent

Before you ever consider signing a rental agreement it is absolutely imperative that you inspect the property. Any landlord that runs a respectable rental unit should have no problem showing you the grounds, and should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of all of the other tenants and the property.

The initial meeting of the landlord is very important, as first impressions are the longest lasting. An apartment in a popular area can get dozens of calls per day by prospective tenants, so make sure that you call early in the morning to maximize your chances of getting an appointment soon. Remember, you and the landlord will be establishing a business agreement if you sign the lease, so treat your interview with the landlord like a meeting with a prospective employer. Dress nicely and maintain a pleasant, business-like attitude.

There are many important topics to cover, so you may want to write down a list of things to ask the landlord or leasing agent:

What is the monthly rent?
When are payments due?
What forms of payment are accepted?
What is the penalty for late payments?
Are there additional charges for other services, like pool and fitness room access?
What startup fees and deposits are required?

what is the lease duration?
what are the penalties for braking the lease?
under what circumstances can the lease be nullified?
will the lease need to be resigned if a roommate is taken in?
is subletting permitted?
if your needs change can you move to another unoccupied unit in the community?

What utilities are included?
Will the utilities be in my name or under the control of the main office?
What upkeep and maintenance will I be responsible for?
Is there a number to call for maintenance emergencies?
Is there tenant-only parking?
What kinds of pets are permitted?
Is there a pet deposit?
Are there any Clubs or Recreation Facilities that you can sign up for?
Are there laundry facilities available?
What kind of security is in place?
What are the rules concerning parties? Noise? Extended absence? Guests?

When will the unit become available?
When can you move in?
Are there special procedures for deliveries or moving in/out?
What modifications can you make to the rental (painting, posters, shelves, replacing doors, etc.)?

When it comes to the actual inspection of the property, there are many things that you need to look out for:

Cracks in the paint or walls.
Signs of leakage from the ceiling or walls.
Leaking or rusty water fixtures.
Damaged electrical outlets and switches.
Burn marks around light fixtures.
Poor ventilation.
Damaged flooring or carpet.
Broken windows or windows that do not open properly.
Inadequate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Non-functional air-conditioning and heating.
Signs of recent damage.
Signs of damage from rodents or insects.
Offensive odors or stains.
Inadequate locks on windows or doors.
Nonfunctional or unclean appliances (if supplied).
Unsanitary furniture (if supplied).

As the landlord shows you around the property ask any questions that comes to mind. Also, it is important to know that the property does not contain any toxic building materials, such as lead-based paint or Asbestos. When paint chips or flakes off of older buildings it may be a health hazard. Keep an eye open for flaking pipe insulation and ceiling tiles in older buildings as it may indicate that asbestos was used in the insulation process. If you are unsure about the buildings safety make SURE that you ask the landlord if the building has passed all of its safety inspections.

It is a good idea to ask the landlord about upkeep and emergency maintenance. A good landlord will have no problem discussing the procedures for handling events such as electrical outages or appliance failure and should demonstrate a reasonable level of confidence. Most rental complexes will have one or more people assigned to a maintenance team, and it is important to make sure that someone will be available in case of a maintenance emergency, such as the loss of heating during the winter. There are many things that a landlord is required by law to upkeep to ensure that the rental unit is safe for habitation, but rental agreements will differ on whether the landlord is required to manage minor repairs, so be sure to ask about incidental repairs.

As you are inspecting the property take the time to meet some of the other tenants. The people who live in the area will be able to answer many of your questions. Be sure to ask about their relationship with the landlord and other tenants, and if there have ever been any problems with communication or disputes. Ask if they like living there and if they feel safe, or if there have ever been any incidents in the area. It is also a good idea to ask about the apartments themselves; if there are any consistent problems with the utilities or upkeep.

If the rental unit is a house or duplex with a yard, ask the landlord who will be responsible for taking care of the yard. If you will be, ask whether the landlord will supply necessary equipment, such as a lawn mower and a hose.

Not all landlords handle the utilities (gas, electric, water, and trash collection) the same, but keep in mind that you will usually end up paying for most of them. Ask what your responsibilities are, and, if possible, find out about how much the last tenant was paying. THis will help you figure out your monthly overall cost and, ultimately, whether or not the rental is within your price range.

The interview and walkthrough are your opportunity to really get to know the property that you want to rent, so be sure to pay attention and ask all of the questions that you can.

Keep in mind that all rental units have their strong and weak points, so you will probably want to make a list of all of them for every unit you visit so that you can make an easy comparison when the time comes to decide. You need to carefully balance the pros and cons of all of the rentals available, and also make sure that you can realistically afford the apartment that you decide on.

If you are interested in an apartment you may consider filling out a rental application. A rental application does not bind you to any lease or agreement; it is a document used by the landlord to see if you meet their criteria for a tenant, and it shows the landlord that not only are you interested in the apartment, but that you are confident that the landlord will decide to rent to you.

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