Questions to Ask During Apartment Tour
Essential questions to ask when touring an apartment to ensure you make an informed decision and avoid costly surprises after moving in.
1What's included in the rent?
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What's included in the rent?
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Why this works
Understanding what's covered helps you budget accurately and compare with other apartments fairly.
2What are the utilities and how much do they typically cost?
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What are the utilities and how much do they typically cost?
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Why this works
Essential for budgeting and understanding your total monthly housing costs.
3What's the parking situation?
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What's the parking situation?
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Why this works
Important for transportation planning and understanding any additional costs or restrictions.
4Are pets allowed and what are the pet policies?
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Are pets allowed and what are the pet policies?
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Why this works
Critical if you have or plan to get pets, and helps you understand any additional fees or restrictions.
5What's the lease term and renewal policy?
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What's the lease term and renewal policy?
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Why this works
Understanding the commitment and flexibility helps you plan for the future.
6What's the security deposit and move-in costs?
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What's the security deposit and move-in costs?
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Why this works
Essential for understanding upfront costs and planning your move-in budget.
7How do you handle maintenance requests?
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How do you handle maintenance requests?
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Why this works
Understanding the process helps you know what to expect when things break or need repair.
8What's the noise level like in this building?
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What's the noise level like in this building?
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Why this works
Important for your quality of life and sleep, especially if you work from home or are sensitive to noise.
9What amenities are available?
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What amenities are available?
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Why this works
Understanding available facilities helps you assess the value and convenience of the property.
10What's the neighborhood like?
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What's the neighborhood like?
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Why this works
Understanding the area helps you assess safety, convenience, and overall quality of life.
11How do you handle package deliveries?
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How do you handle package deliveries?
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Why this works
Important for online shopping and understanding how secure your packages will be.
12What's the guest policy?
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What's the guest policy?
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Why this works
Understanding visitor rules helps you plan for having friends and family over.
13How do you handle rent payments?
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How do you handle rent payments?
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Why this works
Understanding the payment process helps you plan and avoid any payment issues.
14What's the policy on subletting or breaking the lease?
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What's the policy on subletting or breaking the lease?
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Why this works
Important for understanding your flexibility and options if your situation changes.
15What's the building's security like?
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What's the building's security like?
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Why this works
Understanding safety measures helps you assess your security and peace of mind.
16What's the laundry situation?
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What's the laundry situation?
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Why this works
Understanding laundry facilities helps you plan your daily routine and assess convenience.
17What's the internet and cable situation?
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What's the internet and cable situation?
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Why this works
Important for work, entertainment, and staying connected, especially if you work from home.
18What's the heating and cooling situation?
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What's the heating and cooling situation?
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Why this works
Understanding climate control helps you assess comfort and potential utility costs.
19What's the storage situation?
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What's the storage situation?
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Why this works
Understanding available storage helps you plan for your belongings and assess space needs.
20What's the policy on decorations and modifications?
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What's the policy on decorations and modifications?
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Why this works
Understanding what you can change helps you plan for personalizing your space.
Mastering the Apartment Tour
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Preparing for the Tour
Bring a Checklist
Create a list of questions and things to check before the tour. This ensures you don't forget important details.
Take Photos and Notes
Document what you see during the tour. Photos help you remember details and compare with other apartments.
Test Everything
Turn on lights, test faucets, flush toilets, and check outlets. Don't be shy about testing functionality.
Key Areas to Focus On
Financial Considerations
Living Conditions
Policies and Rules
Red Flags to Watch For
Poor Maintenance
Look for signs of neglect like broken fixtures, peeling paint, or malfunctioning appliances. These could indicate poor management.
Unresponsive Landlord
If the landlord is difficult to reach or seems unprofessional during the tour, this could indicate future problems.
Hidden Costs
Be wary of landlords who are vague about costs or try to hide additional fees. Get everything in writing.