Getting a flat is a rite of passage for many people, since it represents their first taste of freedom and responsibility for property. When searching for a flat, form a general idea of how much you’re willing to spend and what kind of place you’d love to stay in before you begin walking through potential homes. While you do the walk-through, keep a number of those things in mind while you choose whether to rent the flat.
Basics
If you walk through a prospective flat, you need to inspect the number of bedrooms and baths, the size of each room and the flat’s overall square footage. Assess the common walls with nearby apartments to evaluate potential sound issues. Observe the flooring to see how easy or difficult they will be to wash. Plus, in the event that you talked to the landlord before you arrived to the walk-through, double-check to ensure that the rent and deposit haven’t gone up.
Characteristics
Apartments have all kinds of features, depending upon how costly it is. A few of the features that you should search for as you walk through the apartment are air conditioning and heating, and Internet access (dial-up or high rate ), television/cable accessibility, breakfast nook, dishwasher, washer and dryer hookups, fireplace, balcony, yard, deck and closet space. Then compare what the flat has with what you’re looking for in a fresh place to live.
Area
Check to find out if your prospective apartment has an elevator or a doorman (full time or part time). Look at the place of the laundry rooms that are public. Examine the parking scenario: does the complicated have a garage? Is parking outside in the open? Ascertain whether the complex has its own maintenance superintendent. Other things to check out are intercom systems, clubhouse, swimming pool, hot tub or gym. Figure out if the complex offers additional storage space to residents. Push through the immediate region to ascertain the proximity of restaurants and businesses that you might frequent.
Safety
Check to see that each of the appliances are in good working order. Ask about the character of the flat’s wiring, and inquire to see service records if needed. The existence of two-pronged switches is a sign of older wiring. Check to find out if insects or rats are an issue. Do each of the doors and windows lock? Does the front door provide a deadbolt? Assess for any damage anywhere in the flat and note it to the landlord.
Additional
If you have pets, inquire about the property’s policy regarding pets. Check to find out if there are weight or size limits and also what the pet deposit would be. Make sure that you can truly have a roommate and determine the complex’s subletting policy, should you have to move out before your lease expires. Also check to find out if the apartment will be sanded and cleaned before you move in.