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Checklists and Details

Download your Search Checklist.  For more detailed information, click below to dive into each item.

Also be sure to check out our apartment listings geared for UTC students on our Marketplace.

Take good notes when you visit a place so that you don’t have to rely on your memory when trying to distinguish one place from another.  The Search Checklist will guide you, but there are many more questions that you will want to ask.  To help jump start that process, download this Landlord Questions list.  Lastly, to keep everything organized and create a good visual comparison, download the Apartment Comparison Checklist.  Remember, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions, so add to this list if you need, after all, you are the one who will live there.

Pre-Search Plan - be sure to know what you are searching for.

Having this Pre-Search Plan is important so you are not wasting your time looking at every apartment as that can be quite overwhelming.  The plan helps to keep your search very focused as you have already done all of the hard work to determine what are the most important conditions and items you need (and can afford) in an apartment.  Cutting down the list of possible places to see will make the whole search process run more smoothly.

Narrow List to Five - more than 5 can be overwhelming.

While your Pre-Search Plan will help you narrow down the available options to consider, you may well have more than 5 places to see.  Taking the time to limit it to only 5, albeit potentially challenging, will create a manageable list.  As you debate yourself in this process, you will inevitably refine your priorities and discover what really matters most to you.  This will, in the end, help you more quickly evaluate properties when you visit, so you can make a decision more quickly and hopefully not lose out on a property.

Call for Availability/Tours - control the timing.

As soon as you have your list, set up your appointments to tour the properties.  Many places have online booking systems which makes it even easier to arrange your schedule.  You should anticipate about 45 minutes per tour to give you enough time to ask any and all of the questions you have.  It is advisable to see all properties on the same day or over 2 days so they are fresh on your mind when you are comparing them.

Tour Property - be sure to see the actual unit.

Most places have a showroom, but you want to see the actual apartment if you can as there are always wear and tear differences as well as lighting, noise, and convenience differences to consider.  Check out all of the amenities too.  Take some extra time to walk around the whole property, even the near by neighborhood.  You will be living here for a year, so you want to be sure that you are comfortable with not just the unit but everything around it too.

Ask Questions - don't be shy!

Many people are afraid to ask questions.  Use the Landlord Questions to get you started.  At the end of the day, you are the one who will be paying money and living there, so you should be 100% sure that you feel comfortable with everything.  In addition to giving you valuable information about the property, you will also gain some insight into the landlord/property manager.  If they deflect, don't answer, or otherwise tell you to not worry about whatever you ask, then that is a red flag.  You want to be sure that all of your questions are answered and taken seriously as that is how they will treat you when you move in.  Your questions are important to you, so ask them as this will be your place!

Test Everything - you don't want surprises.

There is one sure way to be sure everything is working the way it should...test it.  Prospective home buyers hire a home inspector to do just that before they buy a house, so why shouldn't you take the time to do the same thing yourself before you rent.  Turn on the faucets/shower to check the water pressure, open and close doors (and windows if you plan to ever open them) to be sure they latch properly, test smoke detectors, turn on the stove, and, if furnished, test the furniture.  You want to be sure there are no surprises if you decide to move in there.

Take Notes - no one can remember everything!

It would be hard enough to remember all details and all of the answers to your questions for one place, now imagine doing it for 5 places and then having to compare them.  Take notes about what you see, your initial thoughts, and any answers that you get to your questions.  The Apartment Comparison Checklist is a good place to record these notes so you have them organized and ready for your comparisons.  You will find these notes invaluable when you need to compare the properties after your visits.  Also, these notes can help you if you need/want to add anything to a lease, such as repairs or damages, to ensure you are protected.

Send Follow-up - it is not just courteous, it is good form.

After you visit a place, be sure to send a note to the property to thank them for their time.  And indicate your interest level.  If you are interested in a place, this simple gesture will keep you at the forefront of the landlord's mind, perhaps enough for them to follow-up with you, especially if the property is being considered by someone else.  And this is just a good habit to have, so start practicing now.

Request a Lease - this is the last step.

There may be a lot more paperwork involved in getting a lease to review and sign, but requesting a lease is what will initiate everything.  There is a lot involved in making sure the lease is ready to sign, so be sure to check out the Lease Signing Checklist and web page.