Apartment Inspection: What Every Student Should Know

When you decide to rent an off campus apartment, be sure you understand the nuances of the lease and make sure you conduct a thorough inspection of the exact unit you are renting. If you don’t, you may find yourself on the hook later for damages that were incurred before you ever moved in. Here’s what to look for:

Marks or Holes in the Walls – Many apartment renters will take the time to repaint an apartment and clean the carpets before new tenants move in. That isn’t always the case, however, and even if it is, you’ll want to conduct a thorough inspection of all the walls to make sure there are no dings or holes.

Check inside closets as well as on exterior room walls. Hidden problems could come back to bite you later on.

Try out all the appliances. If there’s a dishwasher, close it up and start it. Make sure it starts to run. Turn on the oven and make sure it heats. Check all burners on the stove. Look at the freezer compartment on your refrigerator and make sure it’s cold. If there’s an icemaker, check to see if it works.

Plumbing problems may not cost you money, but they can be a big hassle, particularly if they aren’t identified before you move in. On your inspection walk through, check the sinks in the kitchen and bath to ensure that both cold and hot water can be obtained. Open cabinets below the sink to look for drips or leaks while the water is running. At this point you’re looking for maintenance issues that would be best fixed before you move in. Close the tub and run some water into it. See if the plug holds. Turn on the shower and check the water pressure. If there are problems, report them to the manager at this time.

These few simple tasks will save you time and money later on and help ensure that your apartment is in tip top shape and ready for you to move in.