Visiting Rental Accommodation? Take along our 50-point checklist


You've found the perfect rental apartment – or so it seems – and you rush to sign the lease and move in. That's when you discover that rodents are your new roommates, water leaks from the roof, you're terrified walking home at night, and you've just received a heating bill you didn't know you were responsible for.

You can avoid this situation by reading this article and make sure you're not one of those tenants who's caught out because they didn't check the rental apartment properly when they visited!

It's easy to forget items on a rental accommodation visit checklist, so RentQuebecApartments.com recommends that you print this and bring it with you when you visit rental accommodation.

First steps when apartment-hunting

First, start your search on RentQuebecApartments.com or in newspapers for apartments for rent. Narrow-down your search by neighbourhood, and when you're ready to visit an apartment, call the landlord to set up a visit.

When you call the landlord, make a good impression by speaking clearly, mentioning that you have your references ready, and that you'd like to visit. Ask if anyone else has already expressed interest, or if there's an open house scheduled, ask politely if it's possible to see it before everyone else.

Take your time during the visit, and use the checklist. You can even use this checklist before you sign the rental agreement to make sure you know where you stand, or use it to negotiate with the landlord. Jot down your notes so that you'll have an accurate record when you move out to get your security deposit back.

Want to make sure you don't get caught in a bad situation for your next apartment rental? Print this checklist and bring it with you as you start your search! Good luck finding your home sweet home!

CHECKLIST

YOUR NOTES

1. Lease duration

 

2. Responsibilities for utilities and access to counter

 

3. History of rental price and next rental increase date

 

4. Subletting restrictions

 

5. History of bedbugs or rodents

 

6. Furnished, semi-furnished or fully furnished

 

7. Smoking and pet policy

 

8. Rental insurance rate (previous tenant) and landlor d's insurance company

 

9. Neighbours – number and lifestyle

 

10. Flooring (carpet, wood) and condition

 

11. Warps/water damage/cracks in floor, walls or ceilings

 

12. Condition of the wall paint

 

13. Number of outlets per room

 

14. Amount of kitchen counter and shelving space

 

15. Kitchen cabinet and behind stove/fridge check (signs of infestation)

 

16. Presence of outlet for laundry machines/dishwasher and location

 

17. Water pressure of kitchen sink, bathroom faucets and shower

 

18. Working vent or window in washroom

 

19. Towel rack and shelf space in bathroom

 

20. Signs of mold or moisture damage in bathroom

 

21. View from rental apartment

 

22. Windows and doors close well

 

23. Barbecuing restrictions on balcony or patio

 

24. Natural light

 

25. Closet space

 

26. Cable, telephone, and internet plugs (any restrictions on telecommunications company in building?)

 

27. Light switches functional

 

28. Location of fuse box; condition of electrical wiring

 

29. Noise levels in apartment (next-door, upstairs, elevators)

 

30. Privacy (from neighbours/street)

 

31. Dimensions of unit (doorframes, corridors)

 

32. Year of building construction/apartment renovations

 

33. Indoor/outdoor parking and restrictions

 

34. Building amenities and access restrictions: pool, gym, garden, rooftop terrace

 

35. Laundry facilities in building and cost per use

 

36. Bin pickup days and location

 

37. Mail delivery – individual mailbox?

 

38. Additional storage space in building

 

39. Winter snow clearing (responsibility)

 

40. Functional smoke alarms in unit and building

 

41. Peephole for apartment door/lobby monitoring from apartment

 

42. Emergency exits on every floor

 

43. Common areas for tenants

 

44. Keys of apartment in circulation

 

45. Average time for repairs

 

46. Contact number for emergencies

 

47. Safety of neighbourhood (crime statistics)

 

48. Are you able to get solid cell phone coverage anywhere in the building?

 

49. Nearest public transport stop

 

50. Stores/services/green areas in neighbourhood

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