A Comprehensive Checklist for Apartment Hunters

Apartment Name: ____________________________________________________

Apartment Address: ___________________________________________________

Landlord’s Contact Information: _________________________________________

Date of visit: ____________________ Time of visit: _________________________

Number of bedrooms: _____________ Number of bathrooms: _________________

Estimated commute to work: ____________________________________________

Neighborhood information: _____________________________________________

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Likes: ______________________________________________________________

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Dislikes: _____________________________________________________________

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Neighborhood Safety Scale: Safe12345Scary

Other comments: _____________________________________________________

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Cost

Application Fees: _____________________

Rent: _______________________________ Due / late: ______________________________

Security Deposits: _____________________ Refundable: ____________________________

Pet Deposits: _________________________ Refundable: ____________________________

Pet restrictions: ______________________________________________________________

Utilities Included: ____________________________________________________________

Management

Is the property owner nice / available: _____________________________________________

Will he/she respond promptly to issues: ____________________________________________

Is staff friendly and approachable: ________________________________________________

What do tenants say about the leasing / maintenance staff: _____________________________

What do the on-line reviews of the property say: ____________________________________

Security

Are the door locks sufficient: ____________________________________________________

Is there a chain lock on the door: ________________________________________________

Are their locks on the windows: _________________________________________________

If there is a sliding door, is there a bar lock: ________________________________________

Are the hallways / outside entrances well lit: _______________________________________

Are the stairways open or closed: ________________________________________________

Does the stairway provide hiding places for criminals: _______________________________

Are there trees / bushes near windows / doors that provide hiding places: ________________

Would you feel safe coming home alone at night: __________________________________

Would you feel safe being home alone at night: _____________________________________

Is there a security gate with controlled access: ______________________________________

Is there a buzzer or intercom system for admitting guests: ____________________________

Are there peepholes in the entrance door: _________________________________________

Is there an alarm system in the apartment: _________________________________________

Is there on-site security patrol: _________________________________________________

Are there smoke detectors: ____________________________________________________

Is there a sprinkler system in case of fire: _________________________________________

Is there an adequate fire escape: ________________________________________________

Comfort

What floor is the apartment on: __________________________________________________

Is it within walking distance to work / campus / shopping: _____________________________

Are there laundry facilities on the premises: ________________________________________

What is the cost of the laundry machines: __________________________________________

Are the facilities safe and well lit: ________________________________________________

Is the apartment near public transportation: _________________________________________

Is there a grocery store nearby: ___________________________________________________

Kitchen

Is there adequate space for cooking / moving: _______________________________________

Is it large enough to eat in: ______________________________________________________

If not, is there a separate dining area: ______________________________________________

Is the sink scratched, damaged, rusted: _____________________________________________

Does the faucet work / leak: _____________________________________________________

How quickly does the water heat: _________________________________________________

Does the sink drain: ____________________________________________________________

Does it seal: __________________________________________________________________

Is there a garbage disposal: ______________________________________________________

Is there a light over the sink: _____________________________________________________

Is there a dishwasher: __________________________________________________________

Is the dishwasher really loud when running: ________________________________________

Is the stove / oven clean: ________________________________________________________

Does the stove and oven work properly: ____________________________________________

Is the stove gas or electric: ______________________________________________________

Is there a vent fan over the stove: __________________________________________________

Is there a light over the stove: _____________________________________________________

Are there adequate cabinet and counter tops: ________________________________________

Is there a pantry: ______________________________________________________________

Is the refrigerator and freezer large enough:_________________________________________

Does the refrigerator and freezer work properly: _____________________________________

Is there an ice maker: __________________________________________________________

How does the water taste: _______________________________________________________

Are cabinets and drawers clean and free of bugs: _____________________________________

Is there water damage in the cabinets: _____________________________________________

Is the floor in good condition: ____________________________________________________

Is the vinyl ripped or stained: _____________________________________________________

Bathroom and Plumbing

Do the faucets work / leak: _______________________________________________________

Are the fixtures chipped, stained, rusted: ____________________________________________

Are the tiles loose or cracking: ____________________________________________________

Is there a shower: ______________________________________________________________

Is there a shower curtain rod: _____________________________________________________

Is there a medicine cabinet: _______________________________________________________

Is there an adequate mirror: ______________________________________________________

Is there a towel rack: ____________________________________________________________

Is there a toilet tissue holder: ______________________________________________________

Is there good lighting: ___________________________________________________________

Is there a vent fan: ______________________________________________________________

How many outlets are there: ______________________________________________________

Are they usable and safe: _________________________________________________________

Is there adequate water pressure( Turn on the tub, sink and flush the toilet to test the water pressure.): ______________________________________________________________________________

Is there adequate hot water: ________________________________________________________

Does each apartment have its own hot water heater: _____________________________________

How many gallons is the water heater: ________________________________________________

What is the recovery time for the heater: _______________________________________________

Heating

Does each apartment have a separate thermostat: ________________________________________

Is the apartment insulated: __________________________________________________________

Are there heat vents in each room: ____________________________________________________

Is there a fireplace in the apartment: ___________________________________________________

Is it wood burning or gas logs: _______________________________________________________

Electrical

Are the outlets grounded in each room: ________________________________________________

Is there a circuit breaker or fuse box within easy access: ___________________________________

How many electric outlets are in each room: ____________________________________________

Do all outlets and light switches work: _________________________________________________

Are there ceiling fans / which rooms: __________________________________________________

Is the apartment total electric or electric / gas mix: ________________________________________

General

How many units are in the building: ___________________________________________________

Are there small children in any of the nearby units: _______________________________________

Is the carpet in good condition: _______________________________________________________

Is there a deck or patio: _____________________________________________________________

Are there blinds on the windows: _____________________________________________________

Are the windows cracked or broken: __________________________________________________

Are there screens on the windows: ____________________________________________________

How many phone jacks are in the apartment: ____________________________________________

Is the apartment cable ready: _________________________________________________________

Is the apartment Internet ready: _______________________________________________________

Is there parking: ________________________________________________________________

Is there enough parking for all the residents and any visitors: _____________________________

Is the parking area safe and well lit: ________________________________________________

Are there water stains on the ceilings or walls: _______________________________________

Can I hear the neighbors / Can they hear me: ________________________________________

Are there signs of mice and / or other pests: __________________________________________

Is there adequate closet space: _____________________________________________________

Has the apartment been freshly painted: ____________________________________________

Where is the mailbox located: ____________________________________________________

Does the mailbox lock: __________________________________________________________

Check community rules regarding parties and noise: ___________________________________

Is the apartment you view, the one you will be leasing: __________________________________

If not, which one will you be in and when can you view that apartment: ____________________

Neighborhood

What is the condition of the building: _______________________________________________

What is the condition of the grounds / landscaping: ____________________________________

What is the crime rate for the apartment complex: _____________________________________

What is the crime rate for the surrounding area: _______________________________________

Is the building on a main street: ____________________________________________________

Is the building near a noise nuisance such as a fire station, airport, hospital, etc.: ______________

Is there a swimming pool: _________________________________________________________

Is there a fitness center: ___________________________________________________________

Is there a playground: ____________________________________________________________

Is there a clubhouse: _____________________________________________________________

Are these facilities in good condition: ________________________________________________

Are these facilities easily accessible: _________________________________________________

Are these facilities safe and well lit: __________________________________________________

Are there people loitering, particularly at night: _________________________________________

Do the residents seem friendly: ______________________________________________________

Are there community activities: ______________________________________________________

Are there a lot of children: __________________________________________________________

What school district is the facility in: __________________________________________________

Is there nearby daycare: _____________________________________________________________

Other Information

Decide ahead of time what amenities are important to you. Make a list of these things so you will remember to discuss them with the leasing agent when you visit the property.

Also, I recommend that you take a digital camera with you on your visit. You can take pictures of the grounds, the interior and the exterior of the apartment complex. This will help you remember what you saw, especially if you are looking at more than one property. Start each series of pictures by taking a picture of the apartment entrance sign.