Apartment Hunting Checklist

Why these items are on the list

1. Set a monthly rent budget. Count rent, utilities and parking together, and leave room for winter heating and summer cooling.
2. Check your credit score. Landlords often run a credit check, and Realtor.com says they prefer a FICO score above 670.
3. Save for upfront costs. Work out cash for the security deposit, first month's rent and any pet deposit.
4. Write must-haves and nice-to-haves. Must-haves are deal breakers, like parking or pets. Nice-to-haves, like a gym, aren't.
5. Shortlist target neighborhoods. Weigh commute, safety, groceries and transit. A great unit two hours from work may not be worth it.
6. Start a listing spreadsheet. Log link, address, rent, amenities and notes so you're not juggling a pile of open tabs.
7. Ask what the rent includes. Rent might not cover parking, Wi-Fi or utilities. Ask at every place, not just the one you like.
8. Ask about fees and renters insurance. Ask whether a security deposit, move-in fee or renters insurance is required, and whether utilities are included.
9. Turn on every faucet. Check the water pressure while you're there. It's a quick test that's easy to skip.
10. Look for signs of pests. Do this on the detailed tour you book once you're down to your last few options.
11. Test phone signal in each room. Walk room to room with your phone. Dead spots are easier to find before you sign.
12. Try the appliances. Run whatever comes with the unit and write down anything that doesn't work.
13. Flip every light switch. Jot down burned-out or missing bulbs so they're on record from day one.
14. Photograph existing damage. Photos record what was already there and can help you avoid forfeiting your deposit for damage that wasn't yours.
15. Ask how maintenance requests work. Find out how requests are sent, how fast they're answered and whether you can track them.
16. Ask about security and detectors. Ask what door security there is, and whether smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work and get tested.
17. Visit at different times of day. Noon, for instance, shows the natural light; evening shows the building's noise and the neighborhood's feel.
18. Walk your daily routes. Walk your grocery or bus stop route a few times; you might spot a noisy bar.
19. Gather application documents. Realtor.com suggests bringing ID, Social Security card, referral letters, last three pay stubs and most recent bank statement.
20. Line up a co-signer if needed. A thin credit history can mean you need one, and they fill out the same application.
21. Read the lease line by line. Look for fees outside the rent, due dates, payment methods, parking, guests, late rent and decorating rules.
22. Check lease length and break terms. Compare one-year, two-year and flexible leases, and read the policy for breaking the lease.
23. Ask for changes before signing. If a clause needs to change, raise it with the landlord before you put your name on it.

Tick it on your phone as you walk through each unit, so the tour checks don't depend on memory. If you're looking with a partner, you can each take half the questions.