Moving out of your parent’s house and looking for a place to call your own can feel overwhelming and stressful—especially when the process is unfamiliar and you have no clue what factors to consider. I was completely in the dark when looking for my first apartment, and there are definitely some topics I wish I had asked about before signing my lease. Lucky for you, my mistakes have allowed me to identify the following questions as essential to ask when touring potential places to live.
Utilities
Are utilities included in the rent?
If utilities aren’t included in the rent, how do I pay them? (i.e., through the landlord or through the utility company)
If the laundry is on-site, is it included in the rent? If not, how much is it per load?
If there are no laundry machines in the building, how far is the nearest laundromat?
Is there parking available, and is it an additional cost?
What kind of heating does the unit have? (Avoid electric heating if possible as it is exponentially more expensive than gas)
Are there any issues with the plumbing? (Make sure to check all the faucets as well as the water pressure in the shower!)
How strong is the wifi within the unit?
What amenities are included?
security
What measures are taken to secure the building?
How safe is the neighbourhood?
Am I allowed to add extra locks to the doors?
How are mail/packages protected from theft?
conditions of the lease
Am I allowed to paint the walls?
What is the maintenance process like?
Who do I contact to make repairs? How long do they usually take?
Am I allowed to hang items on the walls?
What are the options and conditions for breaking the lease early?
Is renter’s insurance necessary or recommended?
What are the guidelines for increasing the rent?
Is subletting allowed?
general
Are pets allowed in the unit?
Why did the previous tenant leave?
What kinds of people live in this building? (i.e., students, families)
Are the walls thin?
What is the application process like?
Are there any plans to update the unit or the building?
How old is the building?
final advice
Don’t be afraid to ask all these questions and more—they’ll ensure that you make an informed decision and select the best possible place to live. Make sure you consider as many options as possible, comparing all factors (like the rent, size, utilities included, and location). Before signing any lease, look up your landlord’s name on Google or in the subreddit dedicated to the city you’ll be living in to see the experiences of other renters. Student housing is particularly plagued by scummy landlords who love to take advantage of naive university students. Use all the resources at your disposal to ensure this doesn’t happen to you!