Academics

If you’re like me, you have pretty crummy spatial intelligence.

When it comes to eyeballing a picture frame to see if it is centered, I could stand there all day and never get it right. This also affects my ability to thoroughly scrutinize things since I am much more of a big-picture person. You can imagine what I am like when I try to evaluate an entire apartment and write down its flaws. Luckily, I have a brilliantly artistically gifted fiancee with banging spatial intellect. She pointed out all kinds of things I otherwise might have missed.

I’m going to try to present these in order of the walkthrough so you can use them as a checklist. Skip the ones that don’t apply to the apartment you are viewing.

The main thing you need to look for in each room is ANY damage to the floor, walls, or ceiling. Thoroughly scrutinize even the closets and washer/dryer area to be certain that everything is in good condition. And if it isn’t WRITE IT DOWN. Even if it seems negligible now, if you want to ever see your deposit again, write it down.

(TIP: Download the list in a convenient, printable PDF file.)

Outside
_ Rust Damage
_ Oil/Stains in parking spots
_ Brick/Vinyl siding damage
_ Deck/patio rotting/rusting/otherwise in disrepair
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Outdoor water spigot leaks/does not function
_ Welcome mat stain is present
_ Graffiti/carvings present

Front Door
_ Locks don’t function properly
_ Scratches/missing paint
_ Hinges squeak/stick
_ Peephole painted over/damaged
_ Difficult to close. (i.e. You have to pull up, push down, pull in, or push out. Neither of these extra steps should be necessary.)
_ Doorstop not present

Stairs
_ Banister/handrails cracked/chipped/otherwise in disrepair
_ Excessive creaking (possible damage)

Living Room
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Carpet/Hardwood stained or scratched. (List specific areas.)
_ Crown moulding removal stains
_ Baseboard removal stains
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Cable jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Bedroom 1
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Closet is damaged (Shelves cracked, clothes-pole coming loose)
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Cable jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Bedroom 2 (if applicable.)
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Closet is damaged (Shelves cracked, clothes-pole coming loose)
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Cable jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Bedroom 3 (if applicable.)
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Closet is damaged (Shelves cracked, clothes-pole coming loose)
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Cable jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Bedroom 4 (if applicable.)
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Closet is damaged (Shelves cracked, clothes-pole coming loose)
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Cable jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Dining Area (if applicable.)
_ Ceiling fan is noisy or loose
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged

Kitchen

_ Microwave is non-functioning
_ Refrigerator is non-functioning
_ Drawers are missing/broken
_ Garbage disposal is non-functioning
_ Dishwaser is non-functioning
_ Freezer is non-functioning
_ Ice trays are missing
_ Oven is non-functioning
_ Stove is non-functioning
_ Fan above oven does not work.
_ Microwave is non-functioning
_ Sink leaks
_ Sprayer doesn’t work
_ Drain(s) clogged
_ Drawers/Cabinets damaged
_ Miniblinds are damaged/missing parts
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Phone jack does not function
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged
_ Counters are stained

Bathroom 1

_ Sink drain clogged
_ Bath drain clogged
_ Sink leaks
_ Toilet leaks
_ Shower stopper improperly functioning
_ Toilet cracked (Anywhere.)
_ Soap scum/mildew stains in and around shower
_ Rust stains
_ Tension rod doesn’t function
_ Cabinets function improperly
_ Drawers function improperly
_ Miniblinds are damaged
_ Door is difficult to close
_ Door has scratches/missing paint
_ Door hinges squeak/stick
_ Doorstop not present
_ Vent is inoperable for heating and cooling purposes
_ Lightbulbs are blown
_ Electrical outlets do not provide power
_ Towel racks are loose
_ Windows are stuck/cracked
_ Screen is ripped/otherwise damaged
_ Closet is damaged

Bathroom 2 (if applicable.)

Miscellaneous
_ Fusebox is inaccessible
_ Air conditioner leaks
_ Fire alarms aren’t functioning.

Look for all of these flaws and you will join a select group of people.

The few. The proud. The deposit-keepers.

SchoolisHard

What to Look For During an Apartment Walkthrough