By Ashley Paskill
Whether you are looking for your first apartment or moving to a new apartment, there are things you want to be on the lookout for. You want to make sure the apartment has all of the amenities you need and want, especially since you will be paying rent each month. When you go tour the apartment, make sure you keep an eye on these crucial things to look for.
Research beforehand
Before you even go to tour the apartment complex, do your research. That way, you know about the apartments before you go, and you can make a list of things you want to check out. This will also save you time so that if the research you find shows that the apartment complex does not have everything you need, you do not have to tour it. When you do your research, do not just focus on the apartment complex but the area around it. Look into what kinds of stores and restaurants are around so that you can shop and grab food when you want and need.
Also, be sure to look at reviews that past and present tenants have left. While these are not completely indicative of things you will experience, reviews that are negative across the board can be a red flag. However, it is also crucial to take reviews with a grain of salt. Many times, people only write reviews when they are feeling overwhelmingly positive or negative, but a bunch of reviews that are positive or negative can be an indicator of what the complex is like.
Laundry facilities
This may not seem like a big deal, but you will have to wash your clothes at some point. On your tour, ask about the laundry facilities and check them out. Make sure the machines are in working order. Find out how much the machines cost to use and how to pay for them (coins, card, etc.). It is also important to take note of how many machines there are and how many people use them so you can figure out the best times to use the machines.
If your apartment complex does not have laundry facilities and there are none in your apartment, see if there are laundromats nearby so you can do laundry. You may want to reconsider the apartment if there are no laundromats within a reasonable distance and your apartment complex does not provide laundry facilities.
Cleanliness of apartment
When you tour an apartment, check to see how clean it is. It is likely that the landlord cleaned the apartment before they started showing it off, so if it looks dirty, it is likely that they either did not or the dirt is too engrained to be cleaned easily. Either way, this is a red flag as any dirt that is not cleanable can lead to disease and allergies. Check to see if the carpets are clean and that there are no tears in the carpets. It is crucial that you are happy with the overall condition of the apartment so that you do not have to put in extra effort and money to clean yourself.
Safety elements
Having a safe apartment is absolutely crucial, especially since you may be on your own for the first time. You need the security of knowing that safety elements in your apartment work properly to keep you and your belongings safe. When you tour the apartment, check to make sure that the locks on your door and windows are secure. If your apartment is on a low floor, check to make sure there are no access points that outside people can break into. See if the entrances are locked after a certain point so that only residents can get into the complex at night. Ask the front desk if there are security cameras around the outside of the apartment complex and in the hallways just in case something was to happen.
Also, look into things in your apartment such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Ask the landlord when they were last inspected and be sure that the batteries are up to date. Make sure there is at least one fire extinguisher or fire blanket, especially near the kitchen.
Other necessities
Since you are in college, your family and friends back home may want to send you mail, especially care packages. Check to see where you pick up your mail and packages. Make sure the location is secure or storage and picking up mail and packages that are sent to you.
If you have a car or plan to have a car with you on campus, be sure to ask about parking. Do you and your roommates have certain amounts of parking spaces? Check to see if you need to get parking passes for any guests you may have over. Ask about the process for maintenance requests and find out about trash disposal and removal. See if there are recycling facilities on site.
Touring a new apartment can seem overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can make things easier.
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