What should I look for when viewing an apartment?

Focus on the things that are expensive or impossible to change: water pressure, damp or mould, working heating, window condition, and noise. Test the appliances and outlets, check storage and mobile signal, and confirm what the rent actually includes. Photograph everything so you can compare places later.

What questions should I ask the landlord or agent during a viewing?

Ask what's included in the rent (utilities, water, parking, internet), how much the deposit is, who handles repairs, and how long previous tenants stayed. Ask why the current tenant is leaving and when the place is available. Getting the answers in writing protects you later.

Should I view an apartment more than once?

If you're seriously considering it, yes — a second visit at a different time of day is worth it. A place that's quiet on a weekday afternoon can be loud in the evening or on weekends, and the light changes a lot through the day. A second look also lets you re-check anything you rushed the first time.

Apartment Viewing Checklist

A viewing goes fast, and it's easy to be charmed by good light and miss a slow-draining sink or a noisy street. This checklist walks you through the things that are costly or impossible to change after you sign — water, damp, heating, noise, and what the rent really covers. Take photos as you go so you can compare places fairly. Find more real estate checklists.

Curated by the Gisti team · Updated July 2026

Apartment Viewing Checklist · 15 items

Turn on the kitchen and bathroom taps to check water pressure and how long hot water takes to arrive
Weak pressure and a slow hot-water heater are common and awkward to fix once you've signed.
Flip every light switch and plug a charger into each outlet you can reach
A dead outlet or a switch that does nothing can point to old or unsafe wiring — ask about it.
Look for water stains, bubbling paint, or a musty smell around ceilings, windows, and under sinks
A musty smell is the clearest sign of hidden damp or mould.
Open, close, and lock every window, and feel for drafts around the frames
Test the heating and any air conditioning, even if it's the wrong season
Ask the agent to switch it on; 'it works, trust me' isn't the same as seeing it run.
Walk the floors for soft spots, loud squeaks, and damage hidden under rugs
Open every closet, cabinet, and storage space and picture where your things will go
Confirm each included appliance actually runs — fridge, oven, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer
Stand still for a minute and listen for traffic, neighbours, and plumbing noise
A quiet weekday afternoon hides rush-hour, evening, and weekend noise — visit twice if you can.
Check the mobile signal in each room, including the bedrooms and bathroom
Signal varies by carrier and drops away from windows — test where you'll actually use your phone.
Look under the kitchen sink and around bins for droppings, traps, or roach signs
Check the front-door lock, buzzer or intercom, and how secure the building entrance feels
Ask exactly what the rent includes — water, heating, electricity, internet, parking
Utilities and parking can add a lot; get the split in writing before you compare places.
Note which way the windows face and how much natural light each room gets
Take photos or a short video of the whole place as you walk through
It makes comparing several viewings easier and starts your move-in condition record.

Make it yours in Gisti

Open this checklist in Gisti to tick items off, add your own, set reminders, and keep it in sync across Android and the web. AI can tailor every item to your exact situation.

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