Apartment Hunting 101: Red Flags to Avoid and Questions to Ask

Before the Viewing: Online Red Flags

Screen apartments before wasting time:

Listing red flags:

❌ No photos or very few photos (1-2)

• Hiding something (damage, size, poor condition)
• Legitimate landlords show full apartment

❌ Photos from extreme angles

• Fish-eye lens = tiny room looks spacious
• Only close-ups = hiding overall condition
• All exterior shots, no interior = major problems inside

❌ Vague description

• "Cozy" = tiny
• "Vintage charm" = outdated, potentially unsafe
• "Minimalist" = unfurnished and bare
• "Up-and-coming neighborhood" = currently sketchy

❌ Price significantly below market

• Scam (especially if asking for deposit before viewing)
• Major problems (bed bugs, mold, structural issues)
• Terrible location or conditions

❌ Landlord refuses video tour/FaceTime walkthrough

• Before in-person visit, legitimate landlords accommodate
• If they refuse = hiding something

❌ Requests deposit before viewing

• 100% scam
• Never send money before seeing apartment in person
• Verify landlord identity (check property records online)

Research before viewing:

✅ Check online reviews:

• Google the address + "reviews"
• Check landlord/management company on Yelp, Google Reviews
• Tenant review sites: ApartmentRatings.com, Rent.com

✅ Crime statistics:

• Check local police crime maps
• Visit neighborhood at different times (day/night, weekday/weekend)
• Trust your gut—if it feels unsafe, it probably is

✅ Verify landlord legitimacy:

• Property ownership records (public, search "[County] property records")
• Scammers post fake listings for real properties
• Meet at property, verify ID matches records

During the Viewing: Physical Red Flags

What to look for (bring checklist):

Water damage and mold

Where to look:

• Ceilings: Water stains (brown/yellow spots) = leaky roof or pipes
• Walls: Bubbling paint, soft drywall, discoloration
• Corners: Black/green spots = mold
• Windows: Condensation, rotting frames, mold on sills
• Bathrooms: Mold in grout, around tub, behind toilet
• Under sinks: Open cabinets, check for moisture, mold smell

Why it matters:

• Mold = health issues (allergies, asthma, respiratory problems)
• Water damage = structural issues, expensive repairs
• Landlord's problem but becomes your living nightmare

Ask: "Has there ever been water damage or mold issues? How was it remediated?"

Pest evidence

Signs to look for:

Roaches:

• Dead roaches (corners, under appliances)
• Droppings (small, dark, pepper-like)
• Musty smell
• Egg casings (brown, oval)

Bed bugs:

• Small blood spots on mattresses (if furnished)
• Tiny black dots (feces) on baseboards, outlets
• Shed skins (translucent shells)
• Live bugs (reddish-brown, apple seed size)

Rodents:

• Droppings (rice-sized pellets)
• Gnaw marks (baseboards, wires)
• Greasy smear marks along walls
• Scratching sounds in walls

Ask: "Have there been any pest issues? When was the last professional pest treatment?"

Red flag: Landlord says "no issues" but you see evidence = lying or neglectful

Electrical issues

Test everything:

• Outlets: Bring phone charger, test every outlet (some don't work)
• Light switches: Turn on/off all lights
• Breaker box: Old (fuses instead of breakers) or rusted = fire hazard
• Outlets near water: Kitchen, bathroom should be GFCI (test button)

Red flags:

• Flickering lights
• Warm outlets
• Two-prong outlets (no ground = old wiring, not safe for modern electronics)
• Extension cords everywhere (not enough outlets)

Why it matters: Electrical fires, can't use modern appliances, expensive to fix

Heating and cooling

Check climate control:

• Winter viewing: Turn on heat, does it work? Consistent temperature?
• Summer viewing: Test AC (if included)
• Radiators/baseboard heaters: Old but functional? Noisy?
• Thermostat: Does it control your unit only, or whole building?

Ask:

• "What's average utility cost winter/summer?" (High = poor insulation)
• "Who pays for heat/AC?" (If tenant, check efficiency)
• "When was HVAC last serviced?"

Red flag: Landlord doesn't know or evasive = neglected maintenance

Plumbing

Test water pressure and drainage:

• Turn on all faucets: Strong pressure? Discolored water? Takes time to warm up?
• Flush toilets: Strong flush? Refills quickly? Runs continuously?
• Check under sinks: Leaks, water damage, mold
• Shower/tub: Good pressure, drains quickly (fill with water, watch drain speed)

Red flags:

• Low pressure (pipes clogged or building issue)
• Brown/rust-colored water (old pipes)
• Slow drains (clog or main line issue)
• Constantly running toilet (water bill increases)

Noise and neighbors

Assess soundproofing:

• During viewing: Listen carefully (can you hear neighbors talking, walking, TV?)
• Floors: Hardwood = hear every step from upstairs
• Walls: Knock on walls (hollow = thin, poor soundproofing)
• Windows: Single-pane = street noise, poor insulation

Tips:

• Visit at different times (weekday evening, weekend morning)
• Ask current tenants in hallway: "How's the noise?"
• Check if building near train tracks, highway, bars, construction

You can't fix noisy neighbors—choose wisely

Security 

Safety features: ✅ Working locks: Deadbolt on main door, window locks functional ✅ Secure building entry: Buzzer system, locked front door (apartments) ✅ Adequate lighting: Hallways, parking lot, entrance well-lit ✅ Smoke/CO detectors: Present and functional (test them)

❌ Red flags:

• Broken lobby door lock (anyone can enter)
• Dark, secluded entrances
• No peephole or broken one
• Easily accessible windows (ground floor without bars)

Storage and space

Measure and assess:

• Bring tape measure: Rooms always look bigger empty
• Closet space: Adequate for belongings?
• Kitchen cabinets: Enough storage?
• Additional storage: Basement, attic, garage access?

Ask:

• "Can I see storage area?" (if included)
• "Are there any size restrictions?" (some buildings ban king beds, large furniture)

Critical Questions to Ask Landlord

Don't be shy—these matter:

Lease terms:

1. "What's the lease length and renewal process?"

   • Standard 12 months? Month-to-month after?
   • Automatic renewal? Notice period to move out?

2. "What's included in rent?"

   • Utilities (water, gas, electric, trash, internet)?
   • Parking? Storage?
   • Amenities (gym, pool)?

3. "How much is security deposit and when do I get it back?"

   • Typical: 1-2 months rent
   • When returned? (Usually 30 days after move-out)
   • Conditions for full return? (walk-through inspection helpful)

4. "What's the rent increase policy?"

   • Can they raise rent mid-lease? (No, but ask about renewal)
   • How much typically raised at renewal? (2-5% normal, 10%+ concerning)

5. "What are move-in costs?"

   • First month + last month + security deposit?
   • Application fee? (Typical $25-50)
   • Pet deposit/fee? (If applicable)

Building and maintenance:

6. "Who handles maintenance and how quickly?"

   • On-site maintenance or call service?
   • Emergency contact (nights/weekends)?
   • Response time for non-emergencies?

7. "When was the building last renovated?"

   • Recent upgrades = fewer issues
   • Ancient systems = frequent breakdowns

8. "What appliances are included and how old are they?"

   • Stove, fridge, dishwasher, washer/dryer?
   • If old, ask "What happens if appliance breaks?"

9. "Is there pest control? How often?"

   • Monthly/quarterly professional treatment?
   • Tenant or landlord responsibility?

10. "How often are units painted between tenants?"

    • Fresh paint = cleaner, covering damage
    • Never painted = neglectful landlord

Rules and restrictions:

11. "What's the pet policy?"

    • Allowed? Size/breed restrictions?
    • Pet rent or deposit? (Typical $25-50/month or $200-500 deposit)

12. "Can I make modifications?" (paint, hang pictures, install shelves)

    • Most allow with restrictions
    • Get permission in writing

13. "What's the guest policy?"

    • Can partner stay over frequently?
    • Restrictions on visitors?

14. "Is subletting allowed?"

    • Important if you might leave early
    • Some buildings prohibit, others allow with approval

15. "What's parking situation?"

    • Included, additional cost, street parking only?
    • Visitor parking?

Previous tenant (very revealing):

16. "Why did the previous tenant leave?" 🔥🔥🔥

    • Good answers: Job relocation, bought house, graduating
    • Red flags: "Personal reasons" (vague), "They broke lease" (why?), multiple quick turnovers

17. "How long did they live here?"

    • Short term (<1 year) = potential problems
    • Long term (2+ years) = good sign

18. "Can I contact previous tenant?"

    • Legitimate landlords may allow (privacy permitting)
    • Direct feedback invaluable

Neighborhood:

19. "What's the neighborhood like?"

    • Quiet? Family-oriented? College students? Nightlife?
    • Match your lifestyle

20. "Any planned construction nearby?"

    • New building next door = noise, dust, traffic for months

Move-In Inspection (Crucial!)

Before you move furniture in:

Document everything:

✅ Take photos/videos of entire apartment:

• Every room, every angle
• Close-ups of any existing damage (scratches, stains, holes)
• Date-stamp photos (phone automatically does this)

✅ Written move-in inspection form:

• Landlord should provide (if not, create your own)
• List every defect, no matter how small
• Both parties sign and date

✅ Email landlord:

• Send photos + inspection form via email
• Creates paper trail
• "As discussed, here's documentation of pre-existing conditions"

Why this matters: Prevents disputes over security deposit at move-out

Test everything again:

On move-in day (before signing):

• Flush toilets, run faucets, turn on heat/AC
• Test all outlets, light switches
• Check appliances (run dishwasher, turn on stove)
• Lock/unlock all doors and windows

Find problems now = landlord must fix before you move in

Red Flag Landlords (Avoid!)

Warning signs of bad landlords:

Behaviors to watch for:

❌ Evasive or vague answers to direct questions ❌ Pressures you to sign immediately ("I have 5 other people interested") ❌ Refuses to provide lease in advance for review ❌ Unprofessional communication (late, inconsistent, rude) ❌ Property in disrepair (if building entrance terrible, your unit won't be maintained) ❌ Bad online reviews (multiple tenants complaining) ❌ No written lease (oral agreement = disaster, illegal in many places) ❌ Asks for cash only (legitimate landlords accept checks/online payment) ❌ Discriminatory questions (about religion, family status, nationality = illegal)

Trust your gut: If landlord seems shady, they are

Deal Breakers vs. Negotiables

What you can live with vs. what you can't:

Absolute deal breakers (don't compromise):

🛑 Safety issues: Broken locks, no smoke detectors, fire hazards 🛑 Mold/water damage: Health risk, expensive problem 🛑 Severe pest infestation: Bed bugs, roaches throughout 🛑 Illegal unit: No certificate of occupancy, unpermitted conversion 🛑 Sketchy landlord: Unresponsive, dishonest, aggressive

Negotiables (can work with):

✅ Cosmetic issues: Scuffed paint, old carpet (ask landlord to fix/replace) ✅ Minor repairs: Leaky faucet, broken cabinet (can be fixed) ✅ Outdated appliances: Work but old (negotiate replacement or rent reduction) ✅ Location not perfect: Near busy street but otherwise great

Negotiate: "I love the apartment, but [issue] concerns me. Can we address this before I sign?"

Negotiating Rent and Terms

Everything is negotiable (sometimes):

When you have leverage:

Soft rental market:

• High vacancy rates in area
• Unit sitting empty for months

Long lease:

• Offer 18-24 months instead of 12 (landlords value stability)

Good credit/references:

• "I have 800 credit score, stable job, excellent references—can we discuss rent?"

What to negotiate:

✅ Lower rent: "Comparable units are $100 less—can you match?" ✅ Reduced deposit: "Can we do 1 month instead of 2?" ✅ Repairs before move-in: "I'll sign if you replace carpet and fix leaky faucet" ✅ Free month: "Can you waive first month rent?" (move-in special) ✅ Flexible lease terms: Month-to-month after 6 months, early termination clause

Worst they can say is no—always ask

Avoid apartment nightmares by spotting red flags: water damage (brown ceiling stains, bubbling paint, mold smell), pest evidence (droppings, dead bugs, musty odors), electrical issues (two-prong outlets, flickering lights), inadequate soundproofing (hollow walls, hardwood floors transmitting noise). Ask critical questions: previous tenant departure reason (multiple short stays = red flag), maintenance response times, included utilities, security deposit return timeline, rent increase policy. Conduct thorough move-in inspection photographing every pre-existing defect, testing all outlets/faucets/appliances before signing lease creating paper trail protecting security deposit. Negotiate when possible leveraging good credit, long lease commitment, soft rental markets. Trust instincts—evasive landlords answering vaguely or pressuring immediate signatures indicate future problems.