20 Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment

Before renting an apartment, ask about the total monthly cost, utilities, security deposit, lease terms, maintenance, and any additional fees. An apartment tour is also your chance to check the condition of the actual unit and find out what daily life in the building might be like.

Asking the right questions can help you avoid unexpected expenses, understand your responsibilities, and decide whether the apartment fits your needs before you submit an application or sign a lease.

Questions to Ask About Rent and Monthly Costs

1. What is the total monthly cost of the apartment?

Do not look only at the advertised base rent. Ask which recurring charges are mandatory, including parking, trash collection, amenity fees, package fees, or other building charges. The number in the listing may be lower than the amount you will actually pay every month.

2. Which utilities are included in the rent?

Find out who pays for electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, and internet. If the tenant is responsible for some utilities, ask whether the landlord or property manager can provide a typical monthly range for the unit.

3. How much is the security deposit, and what are the move-in costs?

Ask for a complete breakdown of what is due before move-in. In addition to the security deposit and first month’s rent, there may be application, administrative, parking, pet, or other fees.

Also ask how the security deposit is handled and what conditions could affect its return. Rules governing deposits vary by state and locality.

4. Are there late fees or other additional charges?

Confirm when rent is due, whether there is a grace period, and what happens if payment is late. Ask about any other charges that may not appear prominently in the listing.

Questions to Ask About the Lease Agreement

5. How long is the lease?

Ask whether the apartment is offered with a 12-month lease, a shorter term, or other options. Also find out what happens when the initial lease ends and whether renewal is automatic or requires a new agreement.

6. What happens if I need to break the lease early?

Life circumstances can change, so ask about early termination before signing. The lease may require advance notice, a termination fee, continued rent until the unit is re-rented, or another arrangement depending on the contract and applicable law.

7. Can the rent increase when I renew my lease?

Ask how lease renewals are handled and when you would normally receive notice of a new rental rate. Rent increase rules are not the same throughout the United States, so avoid assuming your current rent will remain unchanged.

8. Are pets, guests, and roommates allowed?

If you have a pet, ask about breed or size restrictions, pet deposits, one-time fees, and monthly pet rent. You should also understand rules covering long-term guests, additional occupants, and adding a roommate later.

9. Is renters insurance required?

Some landlords require tenants to maintain renters insurance and may specify minimum liability coverage. Ask whether coverage is mandatory and what documentation must be provided.

A useful overview of lease-related questions is available in the Apartments.com guide to questions to ask before signing a lease.

Questions to Ask About the Apartment’s Condition

10. Is this the actual apartment I would be renting?

This is one of the most important questions during an apartment tour. Some complexes show a furnished model unit rather than the exact apartment that will appear on your lease.

If you are viewing a model, ask when you can see the actual unit. The layout, view, natural light, appliance condition, flooring, noise level, and overall wear may be different.

11. Have there been any recent maintenance problems?

Ask whether the unit has had recent plumbing, electrical, heating, air-conditioning, or appliance problems and whether any repairs are still scheduled.

You can also ask whether major work is planned for the building that could affect noise, access, or normal use of the property after you move in.

12. Have there been any issues with leaks, mold, or pests?

Ask directly about previous or current water leaks, moisture problems, mold, insects, or rodents. During the tour, look for stains on ceilings, peeling paint, musty odors, damaged cabinets, and signs of moisture under sinks.

A previous problem does not necessarily mean the apartment is unsuitable, but you should understand what happened and how it was addressed.

13. How do maintenance requests work?

Find out whether repairs are reported through an app, website, phone number, or property office. Ask whether emergency maintenance is available outside normal business hours and what types of problems qualify as emergencies.

14. Who is responsible for appliance repairs?

If the apartment includes a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, or air-conditioning system, ask who handles repairs when something stops working.

Do not assume the landlord is responsible for every repair in every situation. Responsibilities can depend on the lease, the cause of the damage, and local law.

Questions to Ask About Building Amenities and Daily Life

15. Is parking available, and does it cost extra?

Ask whether parking is assigned or first-come, first-served, whether the cost is included in rent, and what rules apply to guests. In some buildings, parking can add a significant amount to the monthly cost.

16. Are laundry facilities available?

Confirm whether the unit has its own washer and dryer, hookups only, or access to a shared laundry room. If laundry is shared, ask about hours, payment methods, and the number of machines available.

17. What internet providers are available?

This is especially important if you work from home. Ask which internet providers serve the building, whether service is included in a mandatory technology package, and whether tenants can choose their own provider.

Test your phone’s cellular signal during the tour as well. Coverage can vary significantly even within the same neighborhood.

18. Are there any noise complaints or quiet hours?

Ask whether the building has established quiet hours and whether management is aware of recurring noise problems. During the tour, stop talking for a moment and listen for traffic, elevators, neighbors, construction, or mechanical equipment.

If possible, visiting at a different time of day can give you a better idea of normal noise levels.

19. How are packages and deliveries handled?

Ask whether packages are left at apartment doors, stored in a mailroom, placed in secure lockers, or held by staff. If you receive frequent deliveries, the building’s package system can make a noticeable difference in daily convenience.

Questions to Ask Before Applying for the Apartment

20. What are the application requirements, fees, and move-in date?

Before paying an application fee or submitting personal information, ask for the complete application criteria. This can include:

• the application fee;
• credit requirements;
• income requirements;
• whether a guarantor or cosigner is accepted;
• how long approval normally takes;
• the earliest available move-in date.

Make sure the listing, property, and person requesting your information are legitimate before sending money or sensitive documents. The Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on rental listing scams explains common warning signs and recommends verifying the rental before paying.

What Should You Check During an Apartment Tour?

Questions are only part of the apartment viewing. You should also inspect the unit yourself rather than relying entirely on what the landlord or leasing agent tells you.

• Doors, windows, and locks: Check that they open, close, and lock properly.
• Natural light: Look at the direction of the windows and how much daylight the apartment actually receives.
• Water pressure and plumbing: With permission, run faucets and check that sinks, showers, and toilets work normally.
• Water damage: Look at ceilings, walls, window frames, and areas under sinks for stains or signs of previous leaks.
• Appliances: Check the visible condition of the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, heating, and air-conditioning equipment included with the unit.
• Noise: Listen for street traffic, nearby businesses, neighbors, elevators, or building equipment.
• Common areas: Look at hallways, stairwells, elevators, trash areas, laundry rooms, and building entrances.
• Cell service: Check whether your phone has a usable signal throughout the apartment.
• Room dimensions: Consider whether your existing bed, sofa, desk, and other furniture will fit.
• Existing damage: Note scratches, stains, holes, broken fixtures, or other issues. Ask permission before taking photos during the tour and document the unit again at move-in.

The Apartments.com apartment tour checklist provides additional items worth examining before deciding on a rental.

If you are shown a model apartment, do not assume the unit you will receive is identical. Ask to inspect the actual apartment before signing whenever possible.

Red Flags to Watch for During an Apartment Tour

Pay attention if fees are vague, the representative refuses to show the actual unit, or the apartment has obvious signs of serious leaks, pests, broken locks, or neglected maintenance.

Other warning signs include a landlord or agent who cannot explain how repairs are handled, major differences between the advertisement and proposed lease, or intense pressure to send a deposit immediately before you have verified the property.

Be especially cautious if someone asks you to pay a deposit or rent using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. The FTC identifies unusual or difficult-to-reverse payment methods as common warning signs in rental scams.

Not every request for advance payment is automatically improper, since rental practices and laws vary. The important step is to verify the property, landlord or management company, written terms, and payment instructions before sending money.