Ready For Your First Apartment? 4 Steps You Should Take While Your Looking For The Perfect One
Now that it's time for you to move out of your parent's house and find your first apartment, you'll want to make sure you find the right one. While you're probably excited to move out on your own, you should resist the temptation to rent the first apartment you find. That could leave you with a lot of headaches to deal with later. To avoid problems, here are four steps you should take while you're shopping for an apartment.
Check The Cabinets
When you're hunting for an apartment, you're going to be worried about how it looks. However, you should also be worried about what may be lurking in the deepest corners of the apartment. To make sure you're not moving into an apartment that has a hidden pest problem, spend a few minutes inspecting the cupboards – especially those back corners. First, look for signs of spider webs. That's a sign that the apartment has been vacant for a while, which means there could be spiders and other pests inside. Second, look for bug droppings – such as egg casings or fecal matter – which will look like small brown or black flecks. Finally, check for rodent droppings. If you see signs of pest infestation, ask the landlord if they'd be willing to hire an exterminator before you move in.
Test Everything
While you're touring the apartment, you'll want to make sure that the plumbing and electricity work. The best way to do that is to test everything. Flush all the toilets and watch for signs of leaks or sluggishness. Turn the faucets on, including the shower. Watch to see how long the water takes to drain. Finally, test the electricity by turning the lights on.
Visit The Neighbors
Once you've checked out the apartment, head outside and look around. Check to see if the complex is clean and well-cared for. Finally, talk to a few of the neighbors. Find out how they like living there. Ask if there are any problems you should know about. Talking to the neighbors will help you may an informed decision before you rent an apartment.
Bring A Camera
When the day arrives for you to move into your new apartment, bring a camera with you. Take pictures of each room before you bring any of your belongings in. If you see existing damages – even minor ones – document the damage with a picture. The pictures will prevent you from being held responsible for damages that were present when you moved in. To ensure proper documentation of the date and time, write that information on a piece of paper and take a picture of yourself holding it up.