Searching for a new apartment can stir up a potent cocktail of excitement and stress, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and likely to overlook important details. Refer back to these 4 red flags that should make you think twice about signing a lease agreement and make sure that you don’t move into a place that’s more trouble than it’s worth!
Signs of Poor Maintenance
It’s completely understandable for any apartment to have some small issues here and there, but be wary if there are signs that things have gone a long time without getting fixed, such as lime build-up under leaky faucets.
This goes for the outside of the apartment, too. It’s easy for a landlord to quickly spritz up an apartment for a showing in hopes of gaining a new tenant, but a run-down building exterior or badly-maintained landscaping can indicate that they don’t care for their property in the long run.
Exposed Wiring
Faulty electrical wiring can pose a serious risk of electric shock and even electrical fires, so keep your eyes open for any over-stripped wires that leave the conductive metal exposed. Even insulated wires that dangle freely should be avoided, alongside any signs of excessive current like burnt or melted plastic around electrical outlets and switches. You can check for other common electrical problems by carefully testing outlets and circuit breakers.
Train Tracks
Always check the area surrounding any apartment you’re considering for train tracks. You may think that the sound of a passing train will just blend into the background, but you might be surprised how quickly it’ll grate on your nerves! If you do spot train tracks near the apartment, look into how often they’re used. If they’re hardly in service anymore, then you might be able to make peace with the occasional passing train. However, if they’re heavily used then you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Insufficient Storage
There’s no one-size-fits-all guide to how much storage space an apartment should have, so compare how much room you currently need for your belongings with the amount of space available where you’re scouting. Keep in mind that you can maximize the space on hand with creative solutions such as corner storage and multipurpose furniture. However, if you have a collection that fills three closets and the apartment you’re touring only has one, then reconsider!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the details when hunting for a new apartment. However, there are a few red flags that you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for! These include signs of poor property maintenance, exposed wiring, active nearby train tracks, and insufficient storage. Keep these things in mind the next time you take a look around to make sure you don’t sign a lease that you later regret!