Leaf: Questions to ask a potential landlord

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Questions to ask a potential landlord

Here are some questions to investigate when talking to a potential landlord or roommate, or when touring a place you would like to rent. Many of them you don't need to specifically ask; a tour of the place will tell you. See also the shorter checklist version of this.

Apartment Condition

What conditions are the floors in? the walls? the ceilings?
... the windows? are they drafty?
... the doors? are they solid? the locks?
Any signs of water damage?
Is there a smell?
Were there pets in the apartment before? (think: carpets, allergies)
Will the landlord be painting/repairing before you move in?
Is there trash around the apartment? When will the landlord remove it?
Are there loose cables around? (ie a cable tv cable you won't use)

Apartment Structure

Are there enough windows? Is it sunny?
How is the ventilation?
How big are the rooms?
How high are the ceilings?
What is the storage space like in the apartment in general?
... in the kitchen specifically?
Is there an attic? A basement? Are they shared? Are they clean?
... is there access to the apartment from them? (do they compromise security?)
Is the kitchen big enough to handle the number of people who will be using it at the same time?
Is there enough counter space?

Water

How is the water pressure? (test if you can)
How is the hot water? Is the hot water heater separate?
What kind of tub? shower? kitchen sink?
Does the sprayer work in the sink, if there is one?
Signs of water damage around the bathroom/kitchen sink?

Utilities

Exactly what utilities are/are not included in the rent?
How is the apartment heated? How much does it cost to heat?
Where are the heat sources located? Baseboard? Radiators?
Where are the electric outlets located? Are they grounded?
Where are the telephone jacks located?
Does the doorbell work?

Appliances

Refrigerator? Does it smell?
Stove? Oven clean? Bottom part clean? If not, will landlord clean it?
Dishwasher?
Is there furniture there that the previous tenant didn't/won't remove? (Do you want it?)
What laundry facilities, if any, are available? If there are machines, are they free? clean? safe? If there are not, are there hookups, or is there a laundromat nearby?

Outside

Is there a yard? What is it like?
How well is the outside of the building maintained?
What are the neighbors like? Are there children?
What is the neighborhood like? the town?
What is the car traffic like? foot traffic?
What do you see from the windows in each room?
Is there parking? For how many? On street parking available?
Does the landlord plow the driveway? Hire someome to do it?

Security

How can you enter the apartment?
Are the stairs clean and well lit?
Is the door to the building locked separately?
Is the outside/driveway well lit?
Will the landlord change the locks on your apartment?
Do the doors to the outside have windows? peepholes? chains?
Are the windows to the apartment at ground level?
Is the apartment a danger in a fire? (exiting, alarms)