Whether you're moving into a 1 bedroom apartment with your cat, or a 5 bedroom suite, finding a new home is hard. It can be stressful finding the right place and making sure it's the perfect fit for you. There are plenty of things to consider before calling the movers. Apart from things like location and price, there are plenty of essential things that can get swept under the rug. To help prepare you, here's a list of the most important things you need to check before you officially move into your apartment.

 

Check the utilities

A lot of problems that we encounter once we've moved in, slip under the radar before you've signed the lease. The most common of which, if they're not checked on time are the utilities. Check things like water pressure, heating systems, boilers, cell phone reception, and wifi before you move in. This will save you a world of stress. Issues with too hard or weak water pressure or quality can be expensive to repair and can be a health hazard. A dream apartment quickly becomes a nightmare if it's freezing and with no reception, so make sure to do the rounds before you move in.

 

Spring cleaning - Removing allergens

Before moving into your new apartment, it might be a good idea to check if it's safe first. Health hazards can come in many different shapes and sizes and can easily be overlooked at first glance. Potential allergens like dust, pollen, and mold are the most common. These allergens can get into your home through windows, air vents, moldy tiles, or air conditioners. Your health is important, so if you need to be removing allergens, make sure that it's before you move in and not out of your pocket. If you don't have an allergy, you don't want to develop one in your new home!

 

No unwanted visitors - Pests

Another common issue that can be overlooked is pests. It's easy to not think too much about this issue when you're smitten by the great view of your new apartment. Pests like insects, rats, or even raccoons are not the kinds of neighbors you want. It's unsanitary, a health hazard, and just plain gross. A good tip is to check all the nooks and crannies around the apartment. If you find any feces, fur, tracks, or a nest. If you've located any pests, you'll know where to direct your landlord, the exterminator, or animal control.

 

Meet your neighbors

For a lot of people, meeting their neighbors is something they plan on once they've already settled in. This move makes perfect sense if you want to make friends, but not if you want to get the dirt on your future home. You can get a lot of information about your apartment from your future neighbors if they're willing. At the very least you can see if you'll even enjoy them as neighbors. At most, they can tell you about general issues in the building, their experiences with the landlord, and previous tenants. So if possible, try talking to some neighbors and see if they have anything of interest to tell you. Just be sure to be polite and respectful!

 

Check out the apartment at night

Most apartment viewing sessions happen during the day, so it's no surprise that many people forget to think about what your apartment's like at night. This is important to know before you move because some neighbors or neighborhoods become quite different when the sun goes down. Ranging from dark, to noisy to dangerous, it would be good to know what to expect before you move in. Another reason to check is for your safety. It's a good way to know if the lighting and security are up to standard. Dimly lit parking spots or a fast asleep security guard are things to look out for.

 

Check the lease agreement

While it's easy to fall in love with an apartment you do need to pay closer attention to the fine print. Your lease represents what will be expected from you and what you will be given as a tenant. Make sure you read it from front to back and understand your lease crystal clear. Contact your landlord if you have any questions before you sign it. Your lease can be a deal-breaker for everything from pets, to subletting, to utility and repair costs. Make sure you know exactly what you're getting into before you get into it!

 

 

So there you have it! Now you know what the most important things are to look out for, so you don't get taken advantage of. Check everything from the legal agreements to pests and allergens to utilities and make sure you know exactly what you're getting into. Moving into a new home can be stressful enough, but with a little prior research, you can rest easy! Happy research and happy moving!