Are you about to go out shopping on an apartment tour?
If you’re shopping for a new apartment to rent, you should go prepared with a list of feature that are important to you, and stay focused and alert during your tour to make sure you don’t miss out on any major issues. You’d be surprised at what silent observations can have on the tour experience. Here are some important things to look out for during your apartment tour.
Are the grounds and common areas well kept?
When going to your tour, keep an eye on the outdoor and common areas. Here are some things to consider.
- Are the trees and bushes properly trimmed or do they seem overgrown? If they are not properly trimmed, it may be a sign that building management is not taking care of the outside areas as well as they should.
- Check the common areas like lobbies and elevators to make sure they are in good working condition with no visible issues.
- Are the areas clean and clear from any trash? If not, it could indicate a general lack of care or pride in the apartment complex.
- Are there sufficient parking spaces for your vehicles?
Do you see any signs of visible deterioration in the building?
While on your tour, it might also be a good sign to look at the physical appearance of the building so you can identify whether there are any visible signs of deterioration.
- Are there any large visible cracks, chips or major structural issues easily identifiable within the building?
- Is the building well painted or is it displaying signs of discoloration and damage?
- Is there graffiti on common walls?
- Is there trash on the streets without any proper maintenance?
- Do you see cracked windows and falling out air conditioning units? You’d be surprised at some of the issues that occur in many apartment complexes that aren’t well kept.
What does the neighborhood look like outside?
You might also want to keep an eye on the condition of the neighborhood and surrounding buildings. For example-
- Are there any schools and parks close by?
- While no apartment complex can assure safety, does the apartment complex seem to have taken steps toward apartment safety such as good nighttime lighting and a surveillance system?
What is the condition of the apartment?
Whether you are touring the exact apartment or the model apartment, you’ll want to observe the condition of the apartment. Of course, if it’s the exact apartment you will be renting, you’ll want to pay special attention, but even if you are touring the model apartment, the condition of it can speak volumes toward pride in management. Here are some things to look for.
- Are there any signs of dampness, mold or chipping paint?
- Does the apartment have proper insulation?
- Are all the electrical points and features working?
- Are there any visible signs of leaks?
- Does the apartment come with any specific amenities? And are those amenity areas well kept?
Is staff responsive?
You’ll also want to make sure the staff is attentive to your needs especially when it comes to repairs and maintenance. You can infer this sometimes based on the experience. For example-
- Was the tour professional and was the leasing agent friendly and on-time?
- Was the signage well provided?
You might also want to ask. Do they have a policy of who to contact when it comes to apartment repairs and maintenance, especially during emergencies? Do they provide after business hours contact information in case there is an issue that needs to be fixed at nights or on weekends?
Make sure you tick all the boxes with these important things to consider on your apartment tour. Of course there will likely be issues from time to time, but if after observation, you see multiple issues, that might be a sign that it’s time to move on and look for another apartment complex. Of course, you need to ask questions before leasing, but silent observations can go a long way.
