Welcome to what I call “renter’s regret” season. After the summer moving rush and the Labor Day weekend chaos, the wave of new leases begins to ebb. You, the renter, start to look at your new home with clearer eyes. And without fail, there’s something annoying you didn’t notice during your tour.
I’ve been a victim of this cycle too many times not to share the tips I’ve picked up. The main thing is to always look up during your apartment viewing. A great agent will spice up the space in front of you, but not above you. The things you’ll notice along the ceiling will tell you a lot.
Learn from my mistakes, and add the six questions below to your tour checklist. It’ll set you up nicely in your new spot, and you’ll avoid renter’s regret.
How Many Outlets Are There (and Where Are They)?
Our homes all rely on technology, whether you have an intricate movie night setup or a six-in-one air fryer that cooks 99 percent of your meals. So the most important thing? Count your outlets. In every single room, note how many outlets there are. In older buildings, it’s likely there will only be one or two. I can tell you from experience that leads to snaking extension cords through your home and an unsafe reliance on power strips.
It’s just as important to check the placement of each outlet. Are there enough outlets where you want to put your desk? What about for your hair dryer in the bathroom? If you have a reclining sofa or a lamp you want to put in the middle of the room, there needs to be a plug nearby for it.
Is the Floor Level?
You may not think to check the level of your floor until you’re placing furniture or hanging art, and then you’re shocked when everything looks crooked. Bring a level tool with you and check your floors, especially on the home’s upper levels.
If bringing a level feels too extra, my go-to is the marble test. I bring a marble with me, put it on the ground, and pay attention to how it rolls. If it immediately heads diagonally, that’s a sign of uneven flooring. How fast the marble rolls will signal how steep the slant is. From there, you can decide if this could be solved with some furniture risers, or if you should skip the unit altogether for one that has better structure.
Is There Overhead Lighting?
Many apartment tours happen during the daytime, and leasing agents will leave every window open. If the place gets great natural light, you might forget to look up. This was the case in my current apartment. I didn’t notice there was no overhead lighting in the living room or bedroom until move-in day. I really had to overcompensate with lamps in every corner, and I can’t do anything task-oriented after the sun goes down.
Overhead lighting is hard to miss if it’s a pendant or chandelier, but if it’s recessed, you might not think to look for it. You can change out bulbs if you don’t like the color temperature, but you can’t install lighting if the hardwiring isn’t there. So make sure to flip every light switch, and check that the overhead lighting exists, even if you hate the Big Light.
Which Direction Do the Windows Face?
This one is for all of my fellow plant parents. The direction your window faces will drastically affect your houseplant’s survival odds. If you want big, sprawling houseplants, you’ll need south- or west-facing windows that get a nice balance of bright light and indirect light. North- or east-facing windows still get light, but much lower levels, so your plants would need a little extra care.
This isn’t just for plant lovers, though. It’ll affect your electricity bill. South-facing windows get the most bright light all day, and it’ll heat up your home quickly. Cue higher AC levels and a pricier electric bill. The diffused light from an east-facing window is much easier for temperature regulation.
Do the Doors and Windows Stay Closed?
Seriously, check those hinges and latches. My first New York apartment had a bedroom door that never stayed closed on its own. I had to use a rubber doorstop at all times, removing it whenever I walked through my bedroom door. This became a very annoying part of my home, and a simple open-and-close test could’ve saved me.
Chances are all the doors will be open during your apartment viewing. Make sure to close the door, lock it, and open it again. If you have to struggle with any of those steps, take note. Photograph any faulty latches and ask whether repairs will be completed before move-in. This is especially true with doors and windows that face the exterior of your home. Not only is it a safety issue, but when winter comes, you don’t want to be dealing with that draft.
Is There Any Bubbling or Cracked Paint?
It’s crucial to catch signs of water damage early on. I’ve lived in three separate houses that experienced some kind of flooding, so I know that bubbling and cracked paint can spell disaster. They’re a sign of unpatched leaks or previous water issues that may have compromised structural integrity. Or, they’re the sign of a landlord who moves slowly to fix things. Either way, watch for puckering paint or jagged and peeled edges along ceilings, around vents, windows, and upper corners.
