Important Questions to Ask when Renting an Apartment

Apartment hunting can be a very difficult and stressful process. Apartment hunting for the first time can be downright daunting. I have moved around quite a bit the last few years, so I've had to find apartment after apartment. The following are some of the questions that I ask my prospective landlord. Ask your prospective landlord the right questions before you decide on renting his/her apartment in order to save yourself from future hassle or headache.

How much is the monthly rent?
Are utilities included? Water? Garbage? Energy?
How long is the lease?
Is there a security deposit? How much is it? Is it refundable? Under what conditions is it nonrefundable?
Do they require the first month's rent? Do they require the last month's rent?
Is there an application fee? How much is it? Is there a background check?
What is the penalty for terminating the lease early?
Who does the apartment maintenance? Are they 24/7?
Are pets allowed?
When will the apartment be ready? Will it be clean/move-in ready?

How is the apartment heated? Radiators? Electric Heat?
How is the apartment cooled? In wall AC? Central air?
Is there a smoke detector installed? Has it been tested?
What is the condition of the floor? If it's hardwood, is it splintering? If it's carpet, is it new and is it clean?
Is the house drafty?
Does the roof have any issues? Is there any leaking?
Do the locks on the front and back doors work properly?
Is there a peep hole?
Does the apartment have a fireplace? Is it clean and working-ready?
Does the apartment have enough store area? Can you store your vacuum cleaner?
Is there laundry in the complex or building?
Are there washer/dryer hookups available?
Where does FedEx/UPS deliver?
Will your bed fit through the door?
Has the apartment been checked for pests? Bugs? Fleas?
Is there a front and back entrance to the apartment?
Does the apartment come with blinds/curtains?

Does the apartment have a gas or electric stove?
Is a microwave included?
Is there a dishwasher?
Is there a kitchen sink garbage disposal?
Do the kitchen sink knobs tighten properly? No leaks?

Is there enough space in the bathroom?
Is it a shower/bath?
Do the shower and sink knobs tighten properly? No leaking?
Is there enough shelf space in the bathroom? Enough towel racks?
Are the bathroom lights working?

Are there plenty of outlets?
What cable company services the area?
Does the rent include basic cable service?
Can you have multiple phone lines?

What is the parking situation? Driveway? Assigned space? On-street parking only?
Is there a residential parking permit required? How much is it?
Is there guest parking?
Is there tandem parking? Will you have to coordinate your parking times with other tenants?

When is trash pickup? Is there recycling?
Is the apartment near public transportation routes?
Where is the nearest grocery store?
Where is the nearest Laundromat?
Where is the nearest gas station?
Where is the nearest school?
Where is the nearest playground?
Is the apartment located on a busy street?
Where is the nearest highway/freeway?
What restaurants and fast food places are nearby?

What level of noise do the apartment walls keep out?
What direction do your bedroom windows face? Will the sun be coming in brightly every morning?
Do headlights from traffic come in through the windows?
Can you hear the people upstairs?
Do the other tenants have children?
Do the other tenants have pets?
Are there college students living in the building?
Do audible planes constantly fly overhead?