How to Do a Rental Walk Through
If you're renting a home or apartment, one of the most important steps before signing a lease is to do a walk-through. A rental walk-through is just like a walk-through when buying a house: you need to check out the property to make sure everything you and the landlord agreed upon is present or repaired.
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Instructions
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Make an appointment to do the walk-through with the landlord present. Make sure you are both in agreement about any damages or unsatisfactory conditions, if you find any.
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Check for any visible signs of damage to the floors and walls in each room. Note carpet stains or tears, chips or cracks in tile flooring, nail holes in the walls, peeling paint and other signs of damage.
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Turn on lights and faucets. Flush toilets. Confirm that lighting fixtures and plumbing are in good working order. Check for leaks around tubs, toilets and sinks.
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Inspect doors and windows. Make sure locks are secure, door and windows open and close easily and that there are no breaks in the window panes.
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Run appliances to make sure they are all in working condition. This includes the refrigerator and, if included, the dishwasher, microwave and air conditioner. Make sure the heating system is in good working order as well.
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Look for any signs of mold, insect infestations or the presence of mice or rats. Check for any signs of chewing through baseboards, under sinks and inside cabinets.
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Note any signs of water damage on ceilings and walls where there might be a possible roof leak. Check for water leaks or stains around windows.
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Tips & Warnings
List things you are checking during the rental walk-through. Check the items off as you go and have both you and the landlord initial each item.
Wait until the previous tenant removes all of his belongings before doing a rental walk-through. Furniture and pictures can hide any defects or damages in the walls and floors.
Ask about other important items like parking, laundry facilities, storage and other conditions of the lease during the walk-through.
You and the landlord must agree about the responsibility of repairs before signing a lease.
