In addition to contacting people who want to rent out an apartment to tenants, attention should be paid to the condition of the apartment being offered. This can be verified during a viewing by assessing 5 particularly important aspects.
1. Condition of the fixtures
When using a rented property, the tenant has the right to make full use of the household appliances and fixtures. During the viewing, it is therefore worth checking whether the faucets and sinks are in good condition.
As part of the inspection, it is also a good idea to turn on the taps to check the flow of cold and hot water. This makes it possible to verify whether the water pressure in the fixtures is correct.
2. Condition of the walls and floors
An apartment offered for rent should first and foremost be safe. Safety is directly ensured by structural elements, namely floors, ceilings and walls. Therefore, regardless of whether we are allergy sufferers or not, it is worth examining the wall surfaces during the viewing for the presence of mold, dampness and grease stains.
The presence of dampness and mold on the walls is certainly an alarming sign that may cause serious health consequences. Real estate agents point out that if cracks and the imperfections mentioned earlier are visible when potentially signing the agreement, it is good practice to take photographs and then attach them to the rental agreement.
3. Presence of pests
Pest problems are easy to overlook because pests may hide in nooks and crannies when the lights are on. During the viewing, it is worth inspecting these hidden areas and paying attention to any smells. Contrary to appearances, smell is precisely what makes it possible to assess the condition of the entire apartment.
To be sure that bedbugs, silverfish or cockroaches will not emerge immediately after renting the apartment, it is best to rent from reputable institutions that offer the highest-quality rental apartments. Katowice is an example of a city where it is easy to find a well-maintained and modern apartment for institutional rental.
4. Condition of the installations and energy meters
Comfortable use of a rented property will not be possible if the installations do not work properly. It is therefore worth checking whether the electrical and plumbing installations are in good condition, as well as whether the meters correctly measure energy consumption.
Problems with outdated installations sometimes occur in apartments located on housing estates built in the 1980s. If the installation is safe and the owner can provide documentation confirming its acceptance, as well as inspection reports on its condition, this is a sign that you can confidently decide to rent the apartment you have viewed.
5. Apartment acoustics
If we want to rent an apartment on a major traffic artery and near commercial services, it is a good idea to check the acoustic insulation of the walls and the quality of the windows.
Living in an apartment that is poorly protected from traffic noise and excessive sounds from neighbors can become a nuisance over time. To avoid discomfort, it is best to ask the owner about the acoustic insulation and view the apartment during rush hour, when traffic is heaviest.