Checklist for Your Apartment Walkthrough

The hard part is over, you have found the perfect apartment that fits your budget and is in the location you want. Before you start packing and get that moving truck, you have one last thing to take care of: the apartment walkthrough.

The apartment walkthrough is just as it sounds, a physical walk through of your new apartment with the landlord or representative. During this walkthrough you note any and all issues that need to be fixed or addressed prior to move in.

This step is one of the most crucial because you will want to learn about anything that is broken prior to moving in, saving yourself the pain of potentially having to move all over again to a new space. You will also want to cover your interests since any damages that are found during the walkthrough are the landlord’s responsibility. Whereas after the walk through the landlord could easily turn around and say it was you, the tenant, who caused the damage.

To avoid extraneous moving and any fees for damages that you didn’t cause, make sure that you request an apartment walkthrough prior to moving in. Below we outline what to look for in our complete apartment walkthrough checklist. Oh, and make sure you bring a camera to document!

Apartment Walkthrough: General

• Walls: Check every wall for any scratches, marks, nails, holes or damage.  Don’t feel like you are being overly picky either, if you see something take a picture of it and document.

• Ceilings: Pay particular attention to any water spots on the ceilings throughout the apartment, especially in the bathroom. If you see a water spot stain that can mean a leak, and the landlord must be notified.

• Floors: Check all floor surfaces (carpet, hardwood, laminate) for any scratches, damages or stains. To avoid these becoming your responsibility later, make sure to be hyper diligent and document even the slightest scratch with pictures.

• Heating and Air Conditioning: Turn on the heat in the apartment and walk from room to room to ensure the proper temperature is coming out of the vents. Do the same for the air conditioning. In addition to making sure it works, pay attention to any odd sounds or smells when the system is turned on. Be aware that in some apartments you may not be able to run the heat in the summer or conversely the air conditioning in the winter.

• Outlets: Make sure every outlet in the apartment is in working order. A handy and easy way to check is to bring a cell phone charger with you and plug it in to every outlet to verify electricity is running.

• Light Switches: Make sure you switch every switch on and off throughout the apartment. If that switch is attached to a fan, make sure the fan is working properly.

Apartment Walkthrough: Kitchen

Appliances: Ensure that all apartment appliances (stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher) are in good working condition by turning them all on and off. With the stove, turn on all burners to make sure they light up and open the oven to ensure it has all racks. Pay attention that the refrigerator is cold and the freezer is even colder. Pull out all fridge drawers and ensure the icemaker is connected to water and making ice.

Kitchen Sink: Run the faucet and make sure you have both cold and hot water. With the faucet running, make sure that the drains are working and check under the sink to ensure the drainpipe is not leaking. Pay attention that there are no stains or odors from the drainpipe, as this can be a sign of a leak and even mold. Make sure to check that the disposal is working and running properly.

Countertops and Cabinets: Check all kitchen surfaces for any marks, scrapes, stains or damage. Open every kitchen cabinet and drawer to make sure they work smoothly and that there is no damage or dings.

Apartment Walkthrough: Doors and Windows

• Doors and Locks: Make sure all doors in the apartment (including closet doors and patio sliders), not just the entry door, are easy to open and smooth. Check that all locks work properly, and that your key slides in easily. Ask to make sure you have all keys in case there are separate locks. Also make sure that the lock has been changed since the pervious tenant so that you know no one else has access to you apartment.

• Windows and Screens: Ensure that all windows can open and shut easily. Check the screens for any holes, tears or bends. Make sure there is window locks in place for every window and that they lock and unlock with ease. Open and close all blinds or window coverings to make sure they are in working order.

Apartment Walkthrough: Bathroom

• Toilets: Go through the apartment and flush every toilet to ensure plumbing is working properly. Pay attention to any odd noises or leaks.

• Faucets and Drains: Run every faucet in the apartment and make sure you can get both cold and hot water. With the faucet running make sure that the drains are working, both in up position to hold water in and down position to release. Also check under the sink to ensure the drainpipe is not leaking. Pay attention that there are no stains or odors from the drainpipe, as this can be a sign of a leak and even mold.

• Showers and Tubs: Run the water in both the bath faucet and the showerhead to ensure water is spraying properly and has proper pressure. Also check that you have both hot and cold water. Pay attention to ensure that the drain is working quickly and that there are no clogs.

Protect Yourself

The entire point of an apartment walkthrough is to protect yourself from hefty fines for damages upon move out. This is the time, before you move in, to document any and all damages to the landlord and request repairs. This way you ensure every part of your apartment is working properly, and if it’s not that it isn’t your financial responsibility.