Checklist

[ ] Budget & Affordability Check: Calculate your absolute maximum budget including estimated utilities, HOA/maintenance fees, parking, and renter's insurance.
[ ] Online Scam Check: Verify the listing isn't too good to be true. Search the address and landlord/agency name online for red flags.
[ ] Neighborhood Research: Check crime rates, proximity to grocery stores, and public transit maps before visiting.
[ ] Hidden Fees Inquiry: Ask the agent/landlord exactly what is covered in the rent limit. (e.g., "Does the $1,500 rent include water, trash, and Wi-Fi, or is that extra?")

💧 Plumbing & Bathroom

[ ] The "Flush & Run" Test: Flush the toilet while simultaneously running the sink and shower to check true water pressure and temperature drop.
[ ] Drainage Speed: Fill up the sink, let it drain, and check if the water goes down quickly and smoothly without pooling.
[ ] Odor & Leaks: Sniff around sinks and drains for sewage smells. Check under the sink for water stains or active drips.

🧱 Walls, Windows & Mold

[ ] Hidden Mold Check: Check behind appliances, inside closets, and around window sills for black spots or a musty smell.
[ ] Water Damage: Look at the ceiling (especially in corners or below bathrooms) for yellowish-brown water stain rings.
[ ] Drafts & Insulation: Feel around the edges of closed windows. Are they drafty? Do the locks and screens work properly?

⚡️ Electricity, Appliances & Layout

[ ] Appliance Test: Turn on the A/C, heater, stove, washer/dryer, and exhaust fans. Do they sound healthy? Who is responsible for fixing them if they break?
[ ] Outlet Hunt: Are there enough electrical outlets near where your bed, desk, and TV will go?
[ ] Sunlight Check: Visit between 12 PM - 2 PM, turn off the lights, and see how much natural light actually comes in.

🔊 Soundproofing & Structure