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It happens to all of us: we think of a thousand questions the day after looking at an apartment, and wish we’d had better presence of mind in the moment. Here’s a list of questions, loosely categorized by topic that you may wish to ask a potential landlord about your apartment. Remember to ask questions respectfully and refrain from gasping at any answer, even if it seems outrageous. If this isn’t the apartment for you, just move on. If you’re not sure you understand the answer to a question, don’t hesitate to rephrase or ask a follow-up question. This list assumes you’ve already actually seen the apartment and don’t need to ask the basic questions (where in the complex is it located?, how many bedrooms/square feet?, etc.). Keep in mind that this list designed as a guideline to help you remember to ask about what’s important to you. It’s not a litany of questions you must ask in every situation.
Business Matters
Maintenance Issues
Community Affairs
Parking Problems
Safety Issues
Tip: contact the police department to get complete information about crime in the area. Landlords will likely try to downplay any criminal incidents, but the police should have full statistics on any situations that have happened in the area. They should also be able to let you know if any registered sex offenders or other tracked felons live in or near the apartment complex.
After asking all—or even just some—of these questions, you should have an excellent idea of whether or not an apartment is for you. If you haven’t exhausted the landlord (which you might if you go through all of these questions in order!), feel free to ask follow-up questions regarding any topics that concern or interest you. Do keep in mind that this list is to help you remember to ask about particular subjects; don’t just become a drone reciting a list of questions. At the same time, it is a landlord’s job to answer questions and convince you that you want to live in this particular apartment. If you don’t feel that the person you’re talking to is truly receptive to your questions and concerns, you may want to move on—even if the answers to some questions were acceptable. When you’ve gathered all the appropriate information and learned how your potential landlord deals with people, you should be able to decide whether this apartment is right for you.
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