Congratulations! You have just completed and signed your new apartment lease. After a few high fives in the community office, your leasing professional passes you a folder filled with coupons and information about your move in. Also contained within is a very important piece of paperwork that could prevent headaches down the road. We are, of course, referring to your Move-In Inspection Form.
At first glance, you may think that everything in your new apartment looks pristine. They have put in new carpet before your arrival, along with a fresh coat of paint on the walls. But there may be items that, by the time your lease ends, may have compounded into something you want to ensure you are not billed for in the end. Here are some of the items that you may want to take a second look at before you sign off on your completed Move-In Inspection Form:
Walls, trim, and paint – Even with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, there can be a few places that may warrant a few extra moments during your inspection. Trim around window interiors is a common location for paint to begin peeling. Also check the trim near faucets, air conditioners, and vents for any discoloration. These are the common places where any mold issues would begin. If these exist, finding and dealing with them early can save time and aggravation later on. Lastly, check the spots where you might hang curtains, to make sure the previously-patched holes are not going to cause you challenges when you go to hang your own drapes.
Keep your eye on the kitchen – There are quite a few items in the kitchen that often go overlooked when a new resident moves in. Are there any scratches or nicks on the edges of the cabinet trim? What about dents or dings on any appliances? Be sure to open the oven and check the knobs. You should even turn on the water and make sure the garage disposal operates. Finally, check all of the cabinet shelves and make sure nothing is in danger of coming apart.
The spaces for your stuff – Closets and outdoor storage can be places that are often just glanced over during apartment inspections and most certainly deserve extra attention. Do slider doors open properly and easily? Check the inside wall for any holes in the drywall that may have been previously missed. Also check the closet ceiling – especially in outdoor storage units. These spaces are notorious for hiding cobwebs and marks that often go unnoticed.
But before your apartment inspection, you first have to find your next apartment. In many cases, this can take hours upon hours of searching for the right place to live. To save time, effort and money, try using www.ApartmentSearch.com. This easy-to-use apartment finder can help you discover your next home that includes all the criteria you are looking for. Also, it is the only national apartment locator service that pays you for using it. Simply tell your leasing agent that you found your apartment on www.ApartmentSearch.com and you can qualify for up to $200 in rewards. And that money will come in handy when it comes time to furnish your new apartment home.
