It’s your first apartment, and you’re excited – we understand that. Who wouldn’t be excited to start life on their own and decorate a new apartment exactly how they want it? Unfortunately, sometimes the excitement of that new apartment can get in the way of important decisions you have to make, too. There are some things that you have to consider before you sign the lease on your first apartment and commit yourself to the deal, as well as things you should always check.

Is it Wise to Inspect the Apartment First?

Yes! You should always make a thorough investigation of the entire apartment despite your excitement to sign, move in, and start unpacking. When you move into a new place, it is vital to understand what could be wrong with it, because these are things that your landlord may be responsible for fixing. So what should you look at?

You want to look at the floors to make sure that they are clean as well as free from snags or tears, or even signs of damage. On the same note, you should always be aware of the walls and look for signs of chipping or stains. If there is wood paneling, ensure that there are no rotten boards or holes where posters once decorated walls. You should also be able to open your windows because, if you can’t, this can become a safety hazard that could put your life at risk in the event of a fire.

Be aware of some of the most important parts of your apartment, such as working electricity, different options for fire safety like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, leaky faucets, signs of animal droppings, and more. Some of these things can be easily fixed, and others can be so huge that you may want to reconsider on that apartment.

Things You Should Consider

Remember: You can’t pick your landlord or your neighbors, so by nature these are some things you should be wary of. You’re going to see a lot of your landlord and those who live around you over the next months or years that you live in your apartment. You want somebody who is going to be timely for a landlord, not somebody who will ignore the issues you may be experiencing. Likewise, you want neighbors who don’t pose any risks and who keep to themselves when need be.

But it gets deeper than that: You should always know what you are signing up for before you make your decision as well. Look over the details of your lease even if it is boring to you, because some details should not be missed! What happens if you don’t read the print and now you’re committed to your apartment for months longer than you expected? What if there are hidden costs? These are things that may be included in the lease, so be sure to take special care when assessing these matters.

Getting your first apartment can be a life-changing experience, and we want it to be a good one. Keep these considerations in mind for the best experience.