Apartment Tour Checklist: What to Inspect and Questions to Ask

An apartment tour is short, and it’s easy to get distracted by natural light or a nice kitchen. But the 20 minutes you spend walking through a unit are your best chance to catch problems that could cost you money or peace of mind for the next year. Use this checklist to inspect the unit carefully and ask the questions most renters forget.

New to the search? Start with our guide on how to find an apartment, then come back here before your first showing.

Before the tour

Confirm the listing is real

Make sure the person showing the unit actually owns or manages it. Search the address and the listing photos online, and be wary of anyone who can’t show the inside or asks for money before a tour. Our guide to spotting a rental scam lists the red flags. The Federal Trade Commission also has advice on rental listing scams.

Bring the right tools

• Your phone, for photos, video and notes.
• A phone charger to test outlets.
• A tape measure for your bed, sofa and desk.
• This checklist, printed or on your phone.
• Your application documents, in case you love the place. See our rental application tips.

Visit at the right time

If you can, go during the day to judge light, and drive or walk by at night to check noise, parking and how the street feels. Rush-hour visits show you the real commute.

Room-by-room inspection checklist

Kitchen

• Turn on every burner and the oven.
• Open the fridge and freezer. Are they cold? Is the seal intact?
• Run the faucet. Check water pressure, hot water and leaks under the sink.
• Look under the sink and in the back of cabinets for droppings, water stains or mold.
• Test the dishwasher and garbage disposal if there are any.
• Check for a working range hood or other ventilation.

Bathroom

• Flush the toilet and make sure it refills properly.
• Run the shower. How long does hot water take? Is the pressure decent?
• Look for mold or soft spots around the tub, shower and toilet base.
• Check that the exhaust fan or window works.

Living areas and bedrooms

• Open and close every window and check the locks and screens.
• Test light switches and plug your charger into a few outlets.
• Look at the ceiling for water stains, which can mean a past or current leak.
• Check closet space and measure where your furniture will go.
• Note the number and location of outlets, especially for a home office.

Safety items

• Is there a working smoke alarm? California also requires carbon monoxide alarms in many dwellings with gas appliances or attached garages.
• Do the entry door locks, including a deadbolt, work?
• Are there fire extinguishers and clear exits in the building?
• Does the building’s front door lock?

Heating, cooling and noise

• Turn on the heat and the air conditioning, if there is one. Many older LA apartments have no central AC, so ask whether window units are allowed.
• Listen for street, freeway or neighbor noise with the windows closed and open.
• Ask what’s above and below the unit.

Cell signal and internet

Check your phone signal in every room. Ask which internet providers serve the building, then confirm availability for the exact address.

Questions to ask the landlord or manager

Money

• What is the monthly rent, and what is the total due at move-in?
• How much is the security deposit? In California, AB 12 generally limits it to one month’s rent since July 1, 2024, with an exception for some small landlords.
• What is the application fee, and what does it cover? California Civil Code section 1950.6 caps screening fees and requires a receipt.
• Are there monthly fees for parking, storage, pets, trash or amenities?
• When was the last rent increase, and how are increases handled?

Lease terms

• How long is the lease, and what happens when it ends?
• What’s the policy for breaking the lease early?
• Is subletting or adding a roommate allowed?
• Is the unit covered by local rent control, or by the statewide Tenant Protection Act? In Los Angeles, read LA rent control (RSO) explained.

Utilities

• Which utilities are included in rent?
• Are utilities individually metered, or split among units by a formula?
• Can I see typical monthly bills for this unit?

Maintenance

• How do I submit repair requests, and how fast are they usually handled?
• Is there an on-site manager or a 24-hour emergency line?
• When was the unit last painted and the carpet replaced or cleaned?
• Has the building had pest problems, and how are they treated?

Building and parking

• Is parking included? Is it assigned, covered or tandem?
• Where is laundry, and how much does it cost?
• How are packages handled?
• What are the pet rules? See our pet-friendly apartments guide if you have an animal.

Red flags to watch for

• Pressure to pay a deposit or sign the same day, especially in cash or by wire.
• Strong musty smells, which can signal hidden mold.
• Fresh paint over one spot on the ceiling, which may cover a leak.
• Vague answers about who handles repairs.
• A manager who refuses to put promises in writing.
• Many vacant units or “for rent” signs in a building, which can sometimes signal management issues.

After the tour

Compare units side by side

When you’ve seen several places, they start to blur together. Rate each one on the same points: total monthly cost, commute, condition, light, noise, parking and how responsive the manager seemed. Use our rent affordability guide to make sure the total cost fits your budget.

Get promises in writing

If the landlord agrees to fix something, replace a fixture or repaint before you move in, ask for it in writing, ideally in the lease or an addendum.

Read the lease before you sign

Ask for a copy of the lease in advance and read it fully. Pay attention to fees, the renewal terms and the rules about guests, pets and alterations.

Virtual tours

If you’re moving from far away, a live video tour is better than nothing. Ask the agent to open cabinets, run faucets, show the view from each window, and walk the hallway and outside of the building. Never send money for a unit you haven’t seen live, and verify ownership through public property records. Our guide to moving to Los Angeles has more tips for long-distance renters.

Checking the building and neighborhood

Common areas

The shared spaces tell you a lot about how a building is managed. Look at the lobby, hallways, stairwells, laundry room and trash area. Are they clean and well lit? Are lights burned out, carpets stained or doors propped open? Is mail piling up? A building that keeps common areas in good shape is more likely to respond quickly to repair requests inside units, too.

Outside the building

• Walk around the block. Where is the nearest grocery store, pharmacy and transit stop?
• Look for street parking signs, permit-only zones and street-sweeping days.
• Notice nearby bars, restaurants, schools, construction sites or freeways that could create noise.
• Check how long the walk or drive is to the places you’ll go most often.

Talk to a neighbor

If you see a current resident in the hallway or courtyard, politely ask how they like living there and how management handles repairs. A one-minute conversation can be more revealing than any listing description.

Take good notes and photos

Photos taken during the tour help you compare units later, and they also give you a record of the unit’s condition before you ever sign anything. Take a quick video walkthrough of each apartment, and say the address out loud at the start so you can tell them apart. Write down the rent, fees, move-in date and the name of the person you met. If you end up renting the unit, you’ll still need a full move-in inspection, but your tour notes are a useful starting point.

FAQ

How long should an apartment tour take?

Plan on 20 to 30 minutes for a careful look, longer if you’re testing everything on this list.

Is it rude to test appliances and faucets?

No. A reasonable landlord expects serious applicants to check that things work. Be respectful and leave things as you found them.

Should I bring a friend?

Yes, if you can. A second set of eyes catches things you’ll miss, and it’s also safer to tour with someone else when meeting a stranger.