I guess it’s less of a factor where you are, but it only took one time of not thinking about it for “what type of heat does it have?” to make it to the top of my list of things to check for.
A winter in Albany, NY with electric baseboard heat was $$$.
Since you have time, visit a couple times on the weekend for 1/2h (or whatever days you will potentially be there ), check out the activity level and ask a few neighbors. It’s the best thing I ever did when I was looking and had the time to spend.
I have nothing constructive to add to the good advice already posted. I just came here to say that at first glance I thought the thread title was “Biggest factor when ape hunting” and I thought to myself, “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal…”
Since I have a washer and dryer, I’d never live in an apartment without washer and dryer connections. It’s great to be able to throw a load in at midnight if I need to.
Dishwasher. Absolutely critical. I have to have a dishwasher, this is non-negotiable.
Amen, sister. Pharaoh ants, in case anyone is wondering.
Always assume; if an apartment building had a pest problem, it still has a pest problem.
I always make my apt complex sign an agreement. If I go for more than 48hrs without needed maintenance (AC, plumbing, appliance) my rent gets prorated for everyday I go with out it. (They’ve always been compliant BTW)
Also make sure they don’t have a sweetheart deal with the cable/satellite companies. By that I mean make sure you can chose the company you want as opposed to using the company they want.
I’ve grown increasingly displeased with my apartment and have thus compiled a list of what I’ll look for in my next one. Don’t sign the lease until you’ve seen the actual apartment you’ll be moving into.
Location, washer-dryer hookups, and storage space are pretty obvious ones, but there are other things that you may not think of.
Parking is important. My complex has a huge parking lot, but many of the spaces near my apartment are covered. If I don’t want to pay an excessive fee for a covered spot, I often have to park far from my apartment. People park in the fire lane across from my apartment, making it difficult for large vehicles to back out of legitimate spots. Others park in what is basically the middle of the road. So even if there seems to be sufficient parking, you should drive by at night to be sure.
Look at the appliances. Old appliances will have lots of problems, and may be indicative of the landlord’s unwillingness to make improvements. See if the gasket on the fridge has been replaced.
Check the sinks and shower. Not just for water temperature and pressure, but also for how well the drain works. If you’re doing dishes by hand, do you have a single or double sink in the kitchen? Also, check to see if the bathtub has been painted. It is impossible to clean a painted bathtub without eventually chipping the paint. Then you bathe with paint chips. Gross. Flush the toilets. Turn on and off the lights a few times. If there are burnt out bulbs, there may be electrical issues.
Washer/dryers in the open can be very loud. I lived in a place with a stackable in the kitchen, and I was pretty much unable to watch tv while doing laundry. Lack of a separate laundry room is now a deal breaker for me.
Consider how the utilities are paid. My apartment has most of the utilities built into the rent. I pay my electric bill directly to the electric company. I have friends, however, who have to pay their utilities to their landlords. One of them has to stop by the rental office each month to find out how much he owes. That would annoy me.
The problem with apartment living is that you only learn what is important to you from experience. It never would have occurred to me to look for paint on a bathtub, but you can bet I will be checking that next time I go apt hunting.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet. Are there outlets and cable hookups where you want them?
My last move into a kept up to date place - new appliances, carpet, paint - did not have cable in the smaller bedroom where I wanted my computer set up. I was able to get permission from the landlord to have the cable installer drill through the wall, but you probably do need to check with them first. And actually, the guy from the cable company did ask if I had a letter stating it was alright before he’d do the work.
Ooh, yeah - stand in the shower and see how high the shower head is. I’m 6’4" and spent a year in a place where the shower head looked high enough from the floor, but when you got in the tub it was only 6’2" high.
Miserable, miserable showers.
You are not the only one who read the subject line that way. I assumed it was a joke thread! 