15 Essential Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment

Apartment hunting can be a nerve-racking journey. From picking an ideal apartment that fulfills all your necessities to having a nice landlord, there are so many things you need to keep track of that it can get overwhelming. Don’t fret! Cause we have got you covered! We have 15 best questions to ask when touring an apartment to ensure that you have a hassle-free apartment tour and a smooth rental experience! 

Top 15 Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment

Moving away from home for the first time and finding a place you can call yours is never easy. However, we will help you ensure that you know all that you need to know about apartment tours. Make sure you get answers to all these questions to ask before renting an apartment. Rest assured knowing you know everything about the questions to ask when looking at an apartment through this article!

1. Is this the apartment that I will be renting?

Might seem unnecessary, however, this is a question that you definitely should ask during your apartment tour. Some landlords show completely different properties than the ones they want to let out, and only give out this information after you’ve signed the lease. So make sure that you at least have a virtual apartment tour of the place that you will be renting to avoid getting scammed. Here is how you spot and avoid rental scams!

2. What are the lease terms?

Primarily, you should know this even before you start your tour, since it may be a deal-breaker for you or your apartment owner. Questions like ‘What is the minimum renting time of the apartment?’, ‘Is there a noise limit?’, ‘Are pets allowed?’, ‘What is the security deposit?’, ‘Does the rent increase after the end of the lease?’, ‘Is there any recurring or one-time maintenance charge?’ comes under the lease terms. Make sure you ask all these questions before renting your apartment.

3. How much is the rent?

This is an obvious but essential question to make sure that you know exactly how much the apartment is going to cost your pocket. Make sure you get it in writing so that there is no haggling when everything else is finalised and your landlord increases it right before you move in.

4. Is there a parking space where I can park my vehicles?

Having safe parking is essential if you have a vehicle so make sure you include this in your list of questions to ask when touring an apartment. Some apartment owners do give a free parking space for a two-wheeler if you have explicitly asked for it beforehand. However, finding a place that has parking for a four-wheeler might be a bit difficult. If you are finding a place that is close to your educational institution or your workplace, you might want to reconsider taking your vehicle.

5. Are the utilities included in the rent, or is there an additional cover charge for utilities?

Electricity and water are daily necessities that you will need before you move in. So make sure this is on top of your list of questions to ask when touring an apartment and also check it physically while touring apartments! Apart from these basic utilities, also get clarity on the garbage disposal system, so that your garbage doesn’t pile up! Check whether there is a Wi-Fi that you can connect to, and if there are some additional charges you can pay, to help your pocket.

6. What furnishings will be included in the apartment?

Landlords often show apartments that already have a tenant, hence it might seem that a lot of furnishings come included with the apartment, however, that might not be the case. To avoid moving into an empty apartment without a mattress to sleep on, always ensure that this is a question in your list of questions to ask when touring an apartment.

7. Is there a guest policy? If so, what does it include?

Landlords may have problems when it comes to having guests over, especially opposite-gendered guests! Make sure you know all the terms and conditions for having guests over, so that none of your pajama parties or sleepovers are rudely interrupted! Here are the best apps to find apartments, to find your ideal apartment so that you can accommodate friends according to your preferences. Hence, the guest policy becomes important in the questions to ask when touring an apartment!

8. Is subletting or having a roommate allowed?

You might have some space that you might want to share with your friends and make them your roommates, but ensure that your landlord is okay with it while you are touring apartments! Some apartment owners may ask you to pay the entire rent and not care whether you have a roommate or not, as long as they get their compensation. However, some apartment owners might also ask for extra rent if you keep a roommate, so ensure this question is included in your apartment tour questions! Some might also require your roommate to cosign the lease agreement. Here’s all you need to know when renting an apartment with a cosigner!

9. Does the apartment have any security?

An essential question to ask when touring an apartment, knowing this will help you plan your stay, safely. Be it an in-person or virtual apartment tour, always ask about the security of the apartment. Questions like ‘Who all have the apartment keys?’, ‘Can I make a new key if I lose it?’, ‘Is it a gated community?’, ‘Have there been any security issues in the area?’ always helps you get an idea about the safety of your apartment.

10. How can I pay my rent?

All landlords have their own way of collecting rent. While some owners may be okay with any mode of payment, certain owners demand cash/UPI from their tenants. So make sure that you are fine with whatever mode of payment that your landlord expects you to pay. ‘Is there any discount or rent reduction if paid by a particular payment option?’ and ‘Is there any flexibility on rent payment duration?’, add these questions to your list of questions to ask during an apartment tour to understand your landlord’s viewpoint on rent.

11. What are the charges for wanting to leave before the lease period ends?

Plans abruptly change, and you may find yourself wanting to leave your apartment earlier than you had anticipated, and earlier than your lease ends. To avoid confusion, and losing your security deposit, ask your landlord for clarity about the charges for leaving the apartment earlier than mentioned in the lease period while touring apartments.

12. Do you have any future renovation plans?

Comes in handy in your questions to ask on an apartment tour list, knowing more information about renovation can aid you choose your apartment! Renovation can make your life very difficult, especially as a tenant. Having paint smell or loose plaster around your house is not something you want. So make sure you ask questions about this topic to gain clarity and choose the right apartment for you. If you aren’t sure if an apartment is right for you, also consider dorms, as they might prove a much more pocket-friendly alternative to an apartment and might suit you more. Understand all the pros and cons of living in dorms vs apartments to choose your ideal home!

13. What are your decoration and repair policies?

This is an important question to ask during an apartment tour since it is directly related to what the apartment’s atmosphere will be like. Some owners include basic repairs in the base rent itself, whereas others would want you to repair it at your own expense. Make sure that you and your landlord are on the same page to avoid conflicts and miscommunication later on. Decorating your house plays a vital part in defining your aesthetics, and the correct way to go about it asking your landlord. So, make sure you ask it in a physical or virtual apartment tour!

14. What are the conditions to get a full refund on my deposit?

Renting an apartment will usually require you to pay a sum as your ‘security deposit’ that you should get back in full when your lease ends. However, owners often give excuses or unnecessary repair costs to avoid paying the full deposit back. Hence be very careful and understand all the terms and conditions for getting a full refund on your deposit, so that you do not miss out on your rightful money!

15. Is smoking allowed?

A must-have in your list of questions to ask when touring an apartment if you smoke. While it might seem like a harmless question, owners might have very strict policies when it comes to smoking. Do ask this question anyway, if you are planning on having your friends or acquaintances over since it does not make sense to bicker about it after renting out the place. To avoid conflict at a later stage make sure you know your owner’s perspective on the same!

After asking all the questions, you will get all the information you need to know when it comes to renting an apartment. Do take into consideration how your landlord is interacting with you while giving the tour to understand their personality and whether they are people who you want to be associated with in the longer run. Having a nice and helpful landlord is always great since they can help you in many ways, so make sure you maintain a good relationship with them. Happy Apartment Hunting!

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