Getting your first apartment is one of the most consequential financial moves you'll make in your twenties. It's also one of the easiest to mess up — not because it's complicated, but because there are so many small steps spread over several weeks, and nobody hands you a roadmap. This checklist covers everything from the first tour through your first 30 days in the unit, in the order you'll actually need it.
Before Signing the Lease
What to Check During an Apartment Tour
Most first-time renters look at the size, the light, and the finishes. That's not enough. Here's what to actually check:
- Water pressure and hot water. Turn on the shower and both sink faucets simultaneously. If pressure drops significantly, you'll feel it every morning.
- All electrical outlets. Bring your phone charger and test outlets in every room — especially in older buildings where some may be dead or ungrounded.
- Cell signal. Check your carrier's signal in the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Concrete and older buildings are notorious signal killers.
- Noise levels. Visit at different times of day if possible — once in the morning and once in the evening. Listen for traffic, HVAC noise, thin walls between units.
- Appliances. Open and close every cabinet, run the dishwasher cycle if possible, check that the oven ignites, look inside the refrigerator for odors or mold.
- Windows and exterior doors. Open every window. Check that locks function. Look for gaps in the frame, condensation between panes (failed seal), or warping.
- Signs of water damage. Look at ceilings, under sinks, and along baseboards. Stains, soft drywall, or a musty smell are serious red flags.
- Common areas and laundry. Check the laundry room, mailbox area, and entry. The condition of common spaces tells you a lot about how a building is managed.
Questions to Ask the Landlord
Write these down and ask them in person or by email so you have a record of the answers:
- What utilities are included in the rent, and what will I be responsible for?
- Who do I contact for maintenance requests, and what is the typical response time?
- What is the policy on lease breaking — what notice is required and what fees apply?
- How is the security deposit handled? (See our security deposit calculator for state-by-state rules.)
- Has there been any water intrusion, pest issues, or mold in this unit in the last two years?
- What are the rules on guests, subletting, and working from home?
- Are there planned rent increases? Is there a cap?
Red Flags in Listings and In Person
These warrant extra scrutiny or outright avoidance:
- Photos that don't show the bathroom, kitchen, or any windows (they're hiding something)
- Listings that have been reposted multiple times over several months
- A landlord who pressures you to sign immediately or pay cash only
- No written lease — only a verbal agreement
- Fresh paint over what appears to be a patched water stain
- A unit that's "available immediately" with the previous tenant's belongings still inside
- Landlord can't answer basic questions about the building's ownership structure
Verify the Landlord Owns the Property
Rental scams are real and growing. Before you hand over any money, verify ownership through your county's property appraiser or assessor website — most counties have public records searchable by address. The owner of record should match who you're dealing with. If it's a management company, they should be able to show you documentation of their management agreement.
Never wire money or pay via Venmo/Zelle to someone you haven't verified. Legitimate landlords accept checks or ACH transfers.
Read the Lease Before You Sign
This sounds obvious but most first-time renters skim it. Key things to understand before you sign include the lease term, rent increase clause, late fee structure, maintenance responsibilities, pet policy, early termination terms, and renewal process. Our guide to understanding lease terms walks through the most important clauses in plain English.
At Signing
What to Get in Writing
Anything the landlord promised verbally during the tour needs to be in writing before you sign. "We'll repaint before you move in," "parking is included," "we'll replace the refrigerator" — all of it. If it's not in the lease or in a signed addendum, you have no recourse if they don't follow through.
The Move-In Inspection Checklist
This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your security deposit. Walk every inch of the unit with the landlord (or alone if they're not present) and document everything that's already damaged before you move in. A thorough move-in checklist covers:
- Walls: Scuffs, holes, stains, cracks, paint condition in every room
- Floors: Scratches, stains, worn areas, loose tiles or boards
- Ceilings: Stains, cracks, water marks
- Appliances: Scratches, dents, functional defects — note the condition of the oven interior, refrigerator shelves, dishwasher interior
- Windows and blinds: Broken slats, cracked glass, missing screens, stuck frames
- Doors: Damage to surfaces, alignment issues, lock function, doorstops
- Plumbing: Note any slow drains, dripping faucets, or running toilets already present
- Bathroom: Grout condition, caulking, toilet seat, shower door or curtain hardware
- Closets: Shelf condition, rod security, door function
- Light fixtures: Missing bulbs, broken covers
Have the landlord sign the completed form, or at minimum send it to them by email immediately after so there's a timestamped record.
Photography: What to Document and How
After the walk-through, photograph everything. Not just damage — photograph the entire unit. Time-stamped photos establish a baseline that's very hard to dispute later.
Shoot wide shots of each room, then close-ups of any existing damage. Open every closet and cabinet and photograph the interiors. Take a video walk-through of the entire unit in one unedited take — narrate what you're seeing as you go. Upload everything to cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud) immediately so it has a server-confirmed timestamp. Email yourself a few key photos as an additional timestamp layer.
Getting Keys, Access Codes, and Parking
At signing, confirm and receive: all unit keys (ask how many copies exist), building entry key or fob, mailbox key, any access codes for lobby or garage, parking pass or permit if applicable, storage unit key if included, trash and recycling instructions (where, what days). If any of these are missing, get a written commitment on when you'll receive them.
Before Move-In Day
Utilities to Set Up
Start these 7–10 days before your move-in date. Some take several business days to activate:
- Electricity — required in most units. Contact the local utility serving that address. The landlord can usually tell you who it is.
- Gas — if the unit has gas appliances or heat, you'll need an account. Schedule a service activation appointment; someone must be present.
- Internet — installation appointments often book out 1–2 weeks. Do this first. Ask the building which providers have infrastructure in the building before you order.
- Water and sewer — often included in rent, but confirm. If not, contact the municipality.
- Trash collection — usually municipal and included, but some properties handle it privately.
Renter's Insurance: Don't Skip This
Renter's insurance is one of the most cost-effective purchases you'll make. A standard HO-4 policy covers your personal property against theft, fire, and certain water damage, plus liability coverage if someone is injured in your apartment. Typical cost: $15–$30/month for $20,000–$30,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability.
Many landlords now require it. Even if yours doesn't, get it anyway. A single theft, fire, or water damage incident can cost far more than years of premiums. Compare quotes on Lemonade, Toggle, or through your auto insurance carrier — bundling usually gets you a discount.
Change of Address
File a USPS mail forwarding request at usps.com at least one week before your move-in date. Also update your address with:
- Your employer (for W-2 and direct deposit)
- Your bank and credit card companies
- The IRS (Form 8822) if you recently filed taxes
- Your state DMV for your driver's license and vehicle registration
- Health insurance and any subscription services
- Your voter registration
Calculate Your Prorated Rent
If you're moving in on any day other than the first of the month, your first payment will be prorated. Don't just trust whatever number the landlord gives you — calculate it yourself. The formula varies by how the landlord computes it (calendar days vs. 30-day month), and you want to know what to expect. Use our prorated rent calculator to get the exact amount based on your move-in date, monthly rent, and your landlord's calculation method. Our complete guide on moving in mid-month covers what to put in writing, how landlords structure first-month payments, and red flags to watch for before you sign.
After Moving In
Security Deposit Return Strategy
Your security deposit isn't gone — it's on loan to your landlord. Getting it back in full requires documentation and maintenance throughout your tenancy, not just at the end. Keep your move-in photos organized and accessible. Submit all maintenance requests in writing (text or email) so you have a record that you reported issues. Don't ignore small problems — a slow drain that becomes a plumbing issue you "didn't report" can become a deduction. When you move out, do a professional cleaning, fill any nail holes, and replicate your move-in photo set. Compare them side by side before your landlord does the final walk-through.
Building Relationships with Neighbors and Your Landlord
A small investment in relationships pays dividends for years. Introduce yourself to immediate neighbors — they'll tell you things about the building (noisy heat system, management responsiveness, package theft patterns) that no landlord will. A neighbor who likes you will also be less likely to complain about minor noise or inconveniences.
With your landlord, be professional and responsive. Pay on time. Report issues promptly without drama. Landlords who trust and like their tenants are more likely to delay rent increases, make repairs quickly, and give positive references for your next apartment.
Maintenance Request Process
From day one, establish the habit of submitting maintenance requests in writing — text message with confirmation, email, or through a written portal all work. Include a brief description of the problem, the date you noticed it, and your preferred contact method. Keep a folder (digital or physical) of all maintenance correspondence. This protects you if a deferred repair becomes damage that your landlord tries to pin on you at move-out.
For emergencies (no heat in winter, gas leak, active water leak, broken exterior lock), call immediately and follow up in writing. Know the emergency maintenance line before you need it — ask at signing, not during a crisis at 2am.
You're Ready
Getting every piece of this right the first time is nearly impossible — something always comes up. But if you've done the inspection, taken the photos, set up the utilities, and have renter's insurance on day one, you've covered the things that matter most financially. The rest you'll figure out as you go. Good luck with the move.