Rental Inspection Checklist: Things You Must Inspect Before Renting an Apartment

By: ROS Team

You may be convinced about renting an apartment based solely on the pictures posted of it online or from what you hear about it from your agent. However, it’s in your best interest to inspect the property for yourself before signing a rental lease.

Neglecting to inspect the property puts you in danger of renting a home with structural or operation issues. To make things worse, you might have to do those repairs by yourself once you move in or when you decide to move out.

Therefore, it’s best that you ask the landlord to schedule a date to have the property inspected whether the landlord offers to conduct an inspection or not. You have to look closely at the apartment’s features when you visit the property to decrease your risk of moving into an apartment that requires significant repairs.

To make things easier for you, here’s a rental property inspection checklist that we’ve compiled.

Landlord Apartment Inspection Checklist:

1- Exterior Inspection

• Examine all external doors closely. Are they intact? Are there any gaps or broken edges in the entry doors? Do they open and close properly?

• Check out the locks on all the exterior doors. Do they work properly? Are there several locks on the main entry door? Even though there may not be any major threats, it is always a good idea to make sure the apartment’s security is tight.  You should also consider getting a renter’s insurance policy.
• Inspect all windows and window panes.  It may be necessary to touch window panes to make sure they are not broken.

2- Walls

• In new apartments, there isn’t a need to examine the condition of walls and the ceiling.  In older apartments, however, it’s a good idea to take a close look at them. Look at all the walls and ceilings in the apartment and see if there are any cracks, stains, or patches on the walls.
• If the previous tenants had children, look closely at the walls to see if there are any crayons or paint marks that need to be painted over or removed.

3- Kitchen

The kitchen should be inspected meticulously because it is one of the most vulnerable areas in the apartment. You have to inspect the kitchen for two things: you need to make sure all the appliances are working properly and that there are no water leaks.

• First things first, inspect the refrigerator and dishwasher. Don’t settle for the exterior look–open the doors and inspect the gaskets. Ensure that the refrigerator is cooling properly by placing your hand inside.  Also observe the overall condition of the refrigerator’s interior, paying particular attention that the trays and shelves are intact.  Do the same level of interior inspection of the dishwasher.

• Examine the oven and stovetop. Check to ensure all the burners work properly.  Pay attention if you smell gas when you turn on the oven and the eyes of the stove. While a slight gas smell is normal when the eyes of the stove are first turned on, make sure there is no gas leakage. If the apartment has an electric stove, turn it on to confirm it is working properly.
• Cabinets and drawers are often overlooked during the inspection, but it’s equally important to make sure they’re in good condition like the kitchen’s appliances. Inspect the cabinets and drawers for signs of pests, holes, and/or cracks.
• Make sure the sink is functional and that the pipes aren’t clogged and that no water leaks from the drain pipe.

4- Bathrooms

• We recommend that you inspect every bathroom in the apartment. Take notice if there is any peculiar odor.  If you smell something, there may be a plumbing issue.  Share your concern with the landlord and, if you have hired a professional inspection team, ask them to look into the source of the smell.
• Check to see if the toilet seat is intact. Flush the toilet more than one time to confirm that it is working properly. Also observe the base of the toilet to see if there is any sign of mold, cracks, or other damage.

• For a tub-shower combo, you need to look for two things. First, check that the appropriate switch works to activate the shower and that water comes from the showerhead and tub faucet. Second, you need to confirm that the water temperature adjusts appropriately.
• Check that the sink’s water pressure and temperature are satisfactory. Look under the bathroom counter and look at the condition of the sink’s drainpipe.  Also, note whether there is any mold or damage.
• If there are cabinets in the room, open them and see if there are any holes, mold, or damage. Do they open and close properly?

5- Electricity

The inspection should include a thorough look at the apartment’s electric wiring. Ensure all electrical outlets are in working order by plugging in a phone charger if you happen to be carrying one.  Don’t ignore damaged or malfunctioning outlets because they can be a fire hazard. Request that your landlord replaces them before you move in.

Then you should check all the light fixtures. Turn on the lights to confirm they are working and not flickering. If you observe this there may be an underlying serious issue that will need to be repaired before you move in.

6- Strength of Cell Phone Signal:

Financial District has faced the outage of cellular signals many times. It might sound strange in this wireless age, but some areas in NYC might have poor signal strength. This is especially true for mobile internet speed.

From video calls, collaborating with colleagues to entertainment, most people rely on it for their day to day tasks. Poor signal strength can cause frustration.

Try and use your phone to check the signal strength across the apartment. Some landlords offer Wi-Fi as a utility, so make sure to ask for it.

7- Parking:

Parking should be on your priority list if you own a car. Make sure the apartment has a garage along with an inside parking bay. Also, ask if the apartment comes with allocated parking and whether you have to pay separately for this.

8- Pest and Rodents:

Check the apartment for insect and rodent droppings. It may be the gross part, but it is downright important. You start your search by looking into the notorious habitats of the pests. These areas can be in the gaps or cracks in walls or ceilings, near the plumbing and tub, around utility wires, and behind the cabinets and the stove. It may require you to use a flashlight. Do you see something similar to brown pellets or insect eggs? Or you have seen any roaches or mice running around?

9- Water Pressure and Temperature:

Most renters might skip this part. But you shouldn’t. It can be frustrating to learn that the water pressure is much too hard or gentle. Or nothing is worse than a shower that never gets hot and just dribbles water due to the low pressure. While you can’t take a shower during the inspection, you can check this by turning on all faucets of sinks, baths, and showers.

10- Appliances and Devices Installed in the Apartment:

• Move to the kitchen to inspect appliances like ovens, fridges, dishwashers, and microwaves. See where smoke detectors are located and if they are working properly.
• Check the thermostat for an actual representation of the temperature as well as the blowing of both hot and cold air.

So these are some basic issues you should check any rental apartment for. Document all these concerns and talk to the landlord to get them fixed before you move in.

FAQs

Why is a Rental Inspection Checklist Important?

A rental inspection checklist is important because it helps tenants ensure that the apartment they are renting is in good condition and meets their needs. It also helps document any pre-existing damages or issues to avoid disputes with landlords when moving out.

What do Landlords Check on an Inspection?

When inspecting an apartment before renting, landlords check for things like water damage, mold, pest infestations, malfunctioning appliances, and broken or damaged fixtures.They also ensure that locks and windows are in good working order and check for any signs of safety hazards.

How Long does a Landlord’s House Inspection Take?

In general, it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours.

What should I do Before the Landlord visits?

Clean and declutter, check for maintenance issues, review the lease, take photos, and be present.

Do Tenants Need to be Present for Inspections?

In general, tenants are entitled to notice before an inspection and may have the right to refuse entry if the inspection is not scheduled or conducted in accordance with the law. Some types of inspections may require immediate access and may not require tenant presence.

What if the Landlord Refuses to Fix Issues Found During the Inspection?

If the landlord refuses to fix issues found during the inspection, tenants may have legal options depending on the severity of the issues. Tenants can seek assistance from tenant advocacy groups or legal service organizations, or file a complaint with local housing authorities.

What should I look for in Terms of Safety During the Inspection?

When inspecting an apartment for safety, you should check for functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, adequate lighting in common areas and entrances, and secure locks on all doors and windows. You should also check for any potential hazards, such as exposed electrical wires or loose handrails on stairs.

Conclusion:

The above mentioned checklist is designed to provide general guidelines for what to look for when you conduct your initial walk-through of the apartment. Keep a keen eye on everything inside the apartment and inform your landlord if you observe anything that needs to be repaired before signing the lease. Verify that all issues noted during the inspection have been resolved before moving in.

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