Rental Tips : Things to look for when viewing an Apartment/House

Take Notes
Do a walk through
Always keep a copy of the walk through papers
Take pictures if at all possible.

Outside Building:
Take notice who's hanging out in front.
Take a peek at the neighbor's yard.

Entry/Hallway door:
How hard was it to get open?
Does it have a security lock/peephole/intercom. If so, do they work?
How well lit is the hallway?

Inside Apartment

Front Entryway:
What kind of locks does it have? Deadbolt, Chain?
Ask if locks are changed after tenant's move out
Open and shut door a few times making sure that it works properly.

Lights:
Turn on each light switch to see if there are any shorts in the wiring.
If there are no light bulbs as if they furnish them.

Outlets:
Check to see how many are in each room
Pay attention to any that are cracked or missing.

Windows:
If the apartment is on the first floor, make sure to check for screens in all windows.
Check to see if each window has a lock on it.
Look for cracked glass.

Appliances:
Open refrigerator and freezer doors to see if they are cold
If the stove is electric, turn the burners on to see if they all work

Cabinets:
Open all cabinet doors
Look for signs of bugs
Ask the landlord if and how often they spray for bugs

Walls/Ceilings:
Look for chipping paint.
Look for smoke detectors.
--It is the landlord's responsibly to furnish them
-- It is the tenant's responsibly to keep batteries in them.
-- If your smoke detector begins to beep, it is time for a new battery.

Ask if tenant is responsible for heat bills / water bills / etc.

RESEARCH YOUR POTENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD!
Call your local police district ask about that area and what kinds of police runs are made.
Look in local newspaper for a list and details of the police calls made in a given area.

Good luck in your housing search!