When looking for a place to rent, we like things to go our way. But if there’s a slim chance of the amenities not going our way, we like it to be as minimum as possible to compromise. Thus, the next step after you spotted a potential place is to find its faults. The lesser its faults, the more livable and more comfortable the place will be in the future. We’ll help you with tips to know when to turn down an apartment or room before you regret moving in.
Tips to Focus on While Touring an Apartment
Putting a detective’s hat will help you get your answers. The following are the signs you must duly observe before you decide to go with the deal and sign the contract.
Tip #1: Spot for Little Critters
These critters include rodents, bugs, cockroaches, and other insects. You wouldn’t want to have other tiny tenants aside from you, right? While touring, check for the cabinets and other narrow areas for any droppings. Another is to take a whiff of the room you’re in and if there’s a pungent, musty or oily smell, it indicates a pest problem.
You might also want to check the baseboards for any holes created by mice to make the room their home. Furthermore, you may also want to check with the landlord about their method on pest control and how often they do it in a year. In fact, a pest problem shouldn’t be a big problem as long as you dealt with the landlord to have the apartment sprayed before you move in.
Tip #2: Observe Your Neighborhood
These neighbors aren’t just those who live in the apartment building. These are the establishments near you. Ask the landlord before you sign the lease the routine of the people/businesses such as the excessive noise at odd hours or those that will make noise during your sleeping hours. If you think the noise will be a burden to you while you live, better walk away from the deal.
Tip #3: Safe Parking Space
This tip applies only to those who have cars. If you have one, you will have to make sure that the place where you park the car is safeguarded from potential assaulters and thieves.
Tip #4: Check for Good Piping, Faucets, and Electricity
While touring the space which you might move in, checking for the pipes, faucets, and electricity are very important. In the case that you spot bad pipes or electric sockets that won’t flow current, you can have them repaired before you sign the lease.
Tip #5: Get Hold of the Maintenance Worker’s Cellphone Number
While negotiating with the landlord, you can bring up the topic of who will do the repairs when the toilet or faucet leaks in the late hours of the night or wee hours of the morning. You don’t want to catch yourself panicking as to what to do when emergencies happen!
Conclusion
Don’t be deceived by the good interior design or the good lighting! Of course, these are the main selling points for a deal with the property manager and they don’t want you to know the hidden secrets outright before you sign the lease. It’s now up to you to spot the warning signs while doing an apartment hunting.