A handy walkthrough checklist and some helpful tips can help you decide if a rental is worth your time and money.
Once you've found a rental that looks amazing on paper, the first thing you'll want to do is to give it a more in-depth review with a tour. A tour or walkthrough will help you get a sense of the rental’s condition and what it might be like to live there.
If you’re like the typical renter, you’ll take two in-person tours when searching for a rental to determine if the home is a fit. Every rental has its pros and cons, and you don’t want to get so excited that you overlook things that can detract from the pleasure of living there, such as a dishwasher that’s on its last legs, deeply stained carpet or loud traffic at all hours.
Once you sign a lease, you’ll typically have an opportunity to formally document your rental’s move-in condition and notify the landlord of any issues. But it can help to use your initial tour as a chance to screen for potential problems with the property.
To help you know what to look out for, we’ve put together a handy walkthrough checklist to bring with you, along with tips on what to look for and what to expect.
Models can provide a sense of what it might be like to live there, but they are not a substitute for visiting the unit you’re considering. This is especially true if you’re touring a brand new apartment or condo building. By touring the unit you’re considering, you can evaluate the exact layout, the placement of windows and proximity to things like stairwells and elevators. If the unit has been previously occupied, being inside it will also give you an opportunity to detect any lingering scents of pets or smoke so that you can decide whether you want to make a special request for cleaning.
As you walk through the rental, use the checklist to evaluate the condition or existence of the following:
Bring a flashlight and a phone to take photos throughout the home, condo or apartment. Pay particular attention to any feature or condition that might stand out as a potential repair later on, including unrepaired nail holes in the walls or excessive soiling of the carpet. The photos will allow you to take a closer look when you’re back at home deciding whether to sign a lease.
If possible, visit the rental and spend time in the neighborhood during the day and at night. It might be much noisier at night than during the workday, or parking may be scant in the evening — a potential issue if you work late or like to go out with friends in the evening. Think about your lifestyle and what you need and want to feel safe and comfortable in your home and neighborhood.
If you’re renting an apartment, research and read reviews about the building. If the building is managed by a professional management company, be sure to read online reviews, and research the company too since it will be responsible for maintaining the building, conducting repairs and collecting rent.
Give particular consideration to reviewers who provide pros and cons to get a more balanced perspective. Unhappy people tend to speak out more, and while their voices should not be discounted, they can provide a distorted picture of what it might be like to live there. Keep an eye out for potential red flags. Are tenants having trouble with management not responding to requests for building maintenance? Are there complaints regarding tenants’ rights being overlooked?
Ask for a copy of the lease and read it. All of it. If you don’t have time to read it on site, bring the copy home with you or take a photo of all the pages. You can also ask your landlord if they offer digital lease signing through a portal like Zillow Rental Manager to give you more time.
Any lease you sign is legally binding, and the landlord will be able to hold you to the terms of the lease. If you don’t understand any part of the lease or if you object to anything in it, talk to the landlord or property manager. Never sign anything you don’t understand completely.
If there’s something you don’t like or are concerned about, try to negotiate a fix with the landlord or property manager before you sign a lease. For instance, if a bathroom contains moldy caulking around the tub or the blinds are bent or cracked, ask that they be replaced. Note that even after you've signed a lease, depending on your area’s tenant’s laws, your landlord may be required to repair minor fixes, and generally are responsible for any repairs that affect a tenant’s health and safety on the property.
Remember: You’re going to be living there for at least the term of the lease, and you deserve to have a place you feel safe, comfortable and welcomed.
