Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment
Apartments tours can be an important part of finding the right place for you. As much as we can see pictures and even virtual tours online, nothing can match actually traveling to the location and walking around, especially if you have the landlord right there to answer any questions you may have. It’s an opportunity… but don’t let it be a missed opportunity. What are the questions to ask when touring an apartment? Having them ready can make a real difference.
Our property managers in Boston are equipped with answers when we’re involved with showing units to potential tenants. And we do our best to have information available upfront. But at the same time, it certainly helps to have renters ready to go with questions that they have. Making everything transparent makes things better for everyone. Here we outline some of our tips for attending a tour, along some of the best questions to ask when touring an apartment.
Table of Contents
- Tips for Touring an Apartment
- Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment
- For Landlord and Owners: Why Property Management is the Answer
Tips for Touring an Apartment
Touring an apartment might seem simple… walk in, look around, say thanks. But not really. If you’re not paying attention, you could miss something that comes back to haunt you later. One of the best things you can do is check the water pressure, outlets, and light switches while you’re there. Don’t feel weird about flipping things on or running the faucet for a second. You’re potentially committing to this place for a year or more — it’s worth being thorough.
Another thing people forget is to walk around at different times of the day if you can. What seems like a quiet neighborhood at noon might be a party zone by night. Same goes for lighting — some apartments get great natural light in the morning but turn into caves by 2 p.m. If a second visit isn’t possible, don’t be afraid to ask the leasing agent what the noise levels or lighting are like throughout the day.
And finally a little bit of advice. Don’t rush through the tour! Take your time, right? Take a moment to look at storage space, the condition of appliances, and ask about move-in fees or maintenance response time. It’s easy to get caught up in whether the space “feels right,” but guess what? Those nitty-gritty details matter. And while you’re at it, trust your gut. If something feels off or like it’s being glossed over, that’s worth paying attention to.
Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment
Okay, so what do you need to have ready to go? Be prepared with questions to ask when touring an apartment that will get you the information you need to make the best decisions possible. You might have already asked a few of the key questions beforehand, like how long do apartment tours take and what should I bring. But there are other questions to have ready when you’re there. Prioritize them based on what matters to you. Here are some of the most common and pivotal questions that we think will help you.
What’s included in the rent?
This might seem obvious, but it really isn’t. Some apartments include heat, water, or even Wi-Fi, while others leave you responsible for every single utility. Knowing what’s actually covered in that monthly rent helps you get a true picture of your budget and avoids surprises later.
How does maintenance work and how fast is the response time?
This one matters more than you think. When something breaks — and eventually something will — you want to know how quickly the landlord or maintenance team usually takes care of things. If it takes them three weeks to fix a leaky sink, that could be a dealbreaker.
What’s the parking situation?
Especially in city areas like Boston, parking can be a nightmare. Ask if there’s assigned parking, how many spots you get, and if there are guest spots available. Even if you don’t drive now, this could matter down the road.
Are there any move-in fees or non-refundable costs?
Sometimes an apartment will look like a steal… until they tack on a hefty admin fee, elevator deposit, or non-refundable move-in cost. Always good to ask upfront so you can compare total costs—not just rent.
What’s the average utility cost for this unit?
Even if utilities aren’t included, it’s smart to ask what you might expect to pay. Some units are super old and drafty and will spike your heating bill, while others are energy-efficient and save you money. Worth knowing before you sign anything.
What’s the typical noise level like?
If you’re sensitive to noise — or work from home — you’ll want to know if the walls are paper-thin or if there’s construction going on nearby. Ask about upstairs neighbors, street noise, or even if the building hosts events. Better to ask now than regret later.
For Landlord and Owners: Why Property Management is the Answer
If you’re looking to move from one place to another, going on some tours can be one of the best things you can do. You might go to some open houses, and in that case, you want to be ready with some open house questions ready to go that are probably similar to the questions we outlined here. Making sure you have the right questions to ask when touring an apartment can mean the difference between perfect apartment and horrible home that you’re stuck in. And for landlords, make sure you’re ready with the answers! At the very least, be responsive and helpful to the best of your abilities. From the renter’s perspective, responsive and courteous landlords and property managers can make any answer to the questions sound better.
And guess what? Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental management services that can make the entire touring process easier. We offer property management services in Charleston, Boston, Boston suburbs, as well as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and a number of other regions. So, if you’re looking for a new rental property or you’re an owner looking for someone to manage your properties, look no further. We offer full-service management, including tenant screening, maintenance, and so much more. Contact our team of industry professionals today to learn more about how we can help.
