Finding a new apartment is an exciting process, and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Amid the flurry of touring new rental apartments, packing up your old place, and reviewing the whirlwind of applications and leases, it’s easy to overlook important details. In this article, we dive into the questions that are essential to ask when touring a new rental apartment.
This will help ensure you thoroughly understand all aspects of your lease before signing and are confident in your decision to move forward with the apartment.
16 Essential Questions to Ask When Viewing a Rental Apartment
- How much is the rent?
- What are my lease length options?
- Is renters insurance required?
- Does the total monthly rent include the cost of any fees or utilities?
- What is the security deposit amount, and when is it returned?
- What utilities are the tenant’s responsibility, and what are the average utility costs?
- How is maintenance handled, and how quickly are requests addressed
- Is there parking available, and what are the costs and restrictions?
- Are there laundry facilities, and what are the costs?
- Is the apartment pet-friendly, and are there any restrictions or fees?
- What is the policy for subletting or breaking the lease?
- What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems?
- Is there sufficient closet and storage space?
- How secure is the building, and what safety measures are in place?
- What is the noise level like inside and outside the apartment?
- What are the neighborhood amenities like?
Here is a bit more context on why these questions are important:
Questions to Ask the Realtor While Touring an Apartment
These are the questions you must ask your realtor during an apartment tour as the answers will determine whether it is the right home for you.
1. How much is the rent?
Sometimes landlords will advertise rent with a prorated or promotional amount to discount the price. However, the promotional price might only apply to certain months (such as “one month free on a 13-month lease”). Confirm with the landlord or property manager that the rental price listed online is still accurate to ensure the amount is within your budget.
2. What are my lease length options?
Although 12 months is the most common lease length, shorter or longer lease periods might be available, such as 6 months, 9 months, or 24 months. A shorter-term lease might be beneficial if you are new to an area, whereas a longer-term lease might be applicable if you know you’ll be in the area for the next few years.
3. Is renters insurance required?
Some landlords require proof of renters insurance when signing a lease. Renters insurance is typically affordable, averaging $15-$30 per month. If your building doesn’t require renters insurance, it’s still great to have as it covers the cost of your belongings in the event of fire, burglary, etc.
4. Does the total monthly rent include the cost of any fees or utilities?
Clarify what utilities (water, gas, electricity, trash, etc.) are included. Inquire about any additional fees for parking, amenities, or pets as well.
5. What utilities are the tenant’s responsibility, and what are the average utility costs?
Ask for estimates from current or previous tenants to avoid unexpected utility bills.
6. What is the security deposit amount, and when is it returned?
Ask about the process for returning the deposit and under what circumstances deductions might be made.
7. How is maintenance handled, and how quickly are requests addressed?
Inquire about the property manager’s responsiveness and the process for submitting maintenance requests.
8. Is there parking available, and what are the costs and restrictions?
If you have a car, confirm parking availability and any associated fees. Does your unit come with one parking spot or more? What are the restrictions for guest parking? 9. Are there laundry facilities, and what are the costs?
Ask about the availability and cost of laundry services. If you don’t have a washer and dryer in your apartment and the laundry isn’t located in the building, look up local laundromats in the area to narrow down pricing.
10. Is the apartment pet-friendly, and are there any restrictions or fees?
If you have pets, clarify the building’s pet policy. Understand any pet fees, breed restrictions, or size limitations. You may also ask if there are any pet-related amenities in the building.
11. What is the policy for subletting or breaking the lease?
Most buildings allow tenants to break the lease, but the fee can often be quite hefty – sometimes several thousand dollars. If you think breaking your lease is a possibility in the future, ask about the lease break policy and all fees involved.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Touring the Apartment
Some questions can be answered on your own when touring the apartment. Here are some questions to keep in mind when you’re touring the space:
12. What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems?
Check for any signs of leaks, water damage, or faulty wiring. If you notice anything that looks like a problem, make sure to ask about recent repairs or updates.
13. Is there sufficient closet and storage space?
Assess if the apartment has enough storage for your belongings. Don’t forget to check the condition of the closets and cabinets.
14. How secure is the building, and what safety measures are in place?
When touring the building, keep an eye out for security features such as cameras, keyless entry, nighttime lighting, etc.
15. What is the noise level like inside and outside the apartment?
Is there a lot of street noise when you tour the unit? Are the windows soundproofed? If you share a wall with neighbors, do you hear a lot of noise during the apartment tour?
16. What are the neighborhood amenities like?
Consider the proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, parks, and public transportation to assess if the location fits your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a new rental apartment, we invite you to explore Draper & Kramer’s luxury rental properties. Draper and Kramer offer a wide selection of luxury apartments in Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Arizona, and Colorado.
Here are some great ones to check out:
- Bell Tower Flats, a 211-unit luxury rental community in McKinney, Texas, offers a mix of large one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as a full suite of upscale amenities.
- Tempo Nine Mile in Aurora, CO offers spacious pet-friendly floor plans at a walkable, amenity-rich location.
- Wrigleyville Lofts in the Northside of Chicago offers pet-friendly 1- and 2-bedroom industrial-inspired lofts and is located near the Sheridan Red Line and Lake Michigan.
