What to Look For When You Tour an Apartment

Walk through with a specific list, not just a feeling

An apartment tour can feel overwhelming — you're trying to picture yourself living there while the landlord talks and time is running out. A checklist keeps you focused on the things that actually matter: structural problems you'll pay to fix, safety issues you can't ignore, and systems that break down in ways that affect your daily life. You're not looking for perfection. You're looking for surprises that will cost you money, time, or safety later.

Bring a phone or notebook and write things down as you see them. Take photos or video if the landlord allows it. You'll forget details between tours, and you'll need to compare apartments side by side. This is also your record if something was already broken when you moved in — landlords sometimes claim damage that was there before you arrived.

Key Takeaways

• Check water pressure, heat, and appliances while you're there — these are the systems that fail most often and cost the most to repair.
• Look for signs of moisture, mold, or pest damage in corners, under sinks, and along baseboards, because these problems spread and are expensive to fix.
• Test every lock, window, and door to make sure they close and latch, since security and weatherproofing depend on it.
• Take photos of the apartment's condition before you sign anything, so you have proof of what was already there if the landlord later claims you caused damage.
• Ask the landlord directly about past problems — water damage, pest issues, or repairs — and write down what they say.

Water, heat, and appliances — test them while you're there

Turn on every faucet in the kitchen and bathroom. Watch the water pressure and color. Low pressure means you'll have weak showers and slow-filling pots. Discolored water (brown, yellow, or cloudy) suggests rust in the pipes or sediment in the line — it usually clears after running for a minute, but if it doesn't, ask the landlord when the pipes were last flushed. Ask how old the water heater is. If it's more than 10 to 12 years old, it may fail soon, and replacing one costs $1,000 to $2,500.

Flush every toilet and watch how it refills. A toilet that runs continuously or refills slowly is an easy fix, but it's also a sign the landlord doesn't maintain things. Turn on the shower and let it run — does the water get hot? How long does it take? In winter, a slow water heater means cold showers for 10 minutes every morning.

If the apartment has a stove, oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher, turn them on. Open the oven and look inside for damage or heavy buildup. Run the dishwasher on a short cycle if you can, or at least listen to it — strange noises mean repair or replacement soon. Check that the refrigerator gets cold and the freezer freezes. These appliances are expensive to replace, and a broken fridge means you can't store food safely.

Moisture, mold, and pest signs — check corners and hidden spots

Mold and moisture problems are expensive to fix and can affect your health. Look in the corners of every room, especially the bathroom and kitchen. Check under the sink by opening the cabinet and looking at the wood or drywall — soft spots, dark stains, or a musty smell mean water damage. Look at the ceiling and walls for water stains, which appear as brown or yellow marks. Ask the landlord what caused them and when they were fixed.

In the bathroom, check the grout between tiles and the caulk around the tub or shower. If it's black, moldy, or missing, water is getting into the walls. Look at the baseboards throughout the apartment — they should be dry and solid. Soft, warped, or discolored baseboards mean water has been sitting there.

Look for signs of pests: droppings (small dark specks), dead insects, or sticky traps. Check the kitchen cabinets, under the sink, and along the baseboards. A few dead insects don't necessarily mean an active infestation, but ask the landlord directly whether the building has had pest problems and when it was last treated. Get the answer in writing if possible.

Doors, windows, locks, and weatherproofing

Open and close every door and window. They should move smoothly and latch securely. A door that sticks or a window that won't close all the way means air leaks in winter and heat escapes — your utility bills go up. A window that won't latch is a security problem and a break-in risk.

Test every lock: the front door, back door, bedroom doors, and bathroom door. Locks should turn smoothly and hold. A lock that's hard to turn or won't stay locked is a safety issue. Ask whether the locks have been changed since the last tenant left. Many landlords don't change locks between tenants, which is a security risk for you.

Look at the weatherstripping around doors and windows — it's the rubber or foam seal that keeps cold air out. If it's cracked, missing, or compressed, cold air will leak in and your heating bill will be higher. Check the caulk around windows on the outside (if you can see it from inside). Cracked or missing caulk lets water in during rain.

Electrical outlets, lighting, and heat

Flip every light switch and make sure the lights work. A switch that doesn't work or a light that flickers means an electrical problem — it's usually a simple fix, but it's also a sign of deferred maintenance. Count the outlets in each room and note where they are. If you have a lot of devices, you'll need outlets near where you'll use them.

Ask how the apartment is heated. Is it radiators, baseboard heat, a furnace, or a heat pump? Ask whether heat is included in the rent or whether you pay separately. If you pay for heat, ask the current tenant (if you can) or the landlord what a typical winter heating bill is. In cold climates, heating can cost $100 to $300 a month.

If the apartment has radiators, turn them on (if it's the right season) and feel whether they get warm. If you can't test them, ask the landlord when they were last serviced. Radiators that don't heat or make loud clanking noises are expensive to repair.

Floors, walls, and overall condition

Walk through every room and look at the floors. Are they level, or do they slope? Sloping floors can mean foundation problems, which are serious and expensive. Look for soft spots in the floor — step on different areas and feel whether the floor gives. Soft spots mean rot or water damage underneath.

Check the walls for cracks, holes, or damage. Small nail holes are normal and expected. Large cracks, especially diagonal ones, can indicate structural problems. Look at the paint — is it peeling? Peeling paint in an older building can contain lead, which is a health hazard, especially if you have children or plan to have them.

Open closets and look inside. Check for moisture, mold, or pest damage. Closets are often the first place problems show up because they're not heated or ventilated as well as the rest of the apartment.

Storage, natural light, and noise

Count the closets and storage space. If you have a lot of belongings, you need to know whether the apartment has room. Look at the size of the closets — some are barely bigger than a coat rack. Ask whether there's basement storage, attic space, or a storage unit available.

Notice how much natural light comes in. Visit at different times of day if you can — an apartment that's dark in the morning might be bright in the afternoon, or vice versa. If you work from home or spend a lot of time indoors, natural light matters for your mood and energy.

Spend a few minutes listening. Can you hear neighbors through the walls? Is there traffic noise from the street? Is there noise from the building's heating system, plumbing, or elevator? Noise is hard to change and you'll live with it every day. If you're sensitive to noise, this matters more than other factors.

Questions to ask the landlord during the tour

Write down the answers. These questions tell you about the building's maintenance and history:

• When was the roof last replaced, and what's its expected lifespan?
• Has the building ever had water damage, mold, or pest problems? When and how were they fixed?
• When were the pipes, electrical system, and HVAC system last serviced?
• What utilities are included in the rent, and what do tenants pay for separately?
• How quickly does the landlord or maintenance respond to repair requests?
• Are there any ongoing issues in the building that I should know about?
• When were the locks last changed?

Document everything before you sign

Before you move in, take photos or video of the entire apartment — every room, every closet, every corner. Photograph any damage, stains, or problems you noticed. This is your proof of the apartment's condition on move-in day. Many landlords require a move-in inspection form where you list existing damage. Fill it out completely and honestly. Keep a copy for yourself.

If the landlord won't let you document the apartment's condition, that's a red flag. A landlord who won't allow photos or a detailed inspection form is more likely to claim you caused damage you didn't cause and keep part of your security deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I see a problem during the tour but the landlord says it will be fixed before I move in?

Get it in writing. Ask the landlord to put the repair in the lease or in a separate email, with a specific date when it will be done. Without a written commitment, the repair may not happen. If the problem is serious — no heat, broken locks, mold — consider whether you want to move in before it's fixed.

Can I bring someone else to the tour to help me look?

Yes. Bring a friend or family member who can spot things you might miss and help you remember details. A second set of eyes is valuable, and having someone there also gives you a witness to what the landlord said about problems or repairs.

What should I do if I find mold or pest damage?

Ask the landlord directly about it and get their answer in writing. Do not move in if there's active mold or an active pest problem — these are serious health and safety issues. In most places, landlords are required to provide a safe, habitable apartment, and mold or pests violate that requirement.

Is it normal for an apartment to have some wear and tear?

Yes. Worn carpet, small marks on walls, and minor scuffs are normal in a used apartment. You're looking for structural problems, safety issues, and systems that don't work — not perfection. The difference is between normal wear and problems that will cost you money or affect your safety.

What if the landlord rushes me through the tour?

Take your time anyway. You're making a decision that will affect your life for at least a year. If the landlord won't give you time to look carefully, that's a sign they may not be responsive to your needs as a tenant. You can always ask to come back for a second tour before you sign the lease.