There’s a lot to consider when looking for a new home in New York City. If you take a quick tour and make a snap decision without doing a proper check or asking the right questions, you might regret your decision within a few days or weeks after moving in. Use our checklist for viewing New York apartments for rent to find out exactly what to do when looking for a place to call home in this great city.
- Your Supporting Documents
Prepare all your supporting documents before you head out the front door for your first apartment viewing. Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly.
The Platinum Properties team recommends getting all your documents in order for the simple reason that you’re not the only person looking for the perfect apartment for rent New York. The time it takes you to produce all your supporting documents could make or break the deal when others want the same apartment you do.
Make sure you have your most recent letter of employment, the last two years of tax returns, your two most recent bank statements, your two most recent pay stubs, and a valid government-issued ID. Some landlords may require more or fewer documents, so be sure to ask.
- Prepare Questions to Ask the Leasing Broker/Owner
Write down important questions to ask the leasing broker or owner or create a reminder about these questions on your phone or another device. Our team recommends asking them:
- What’s included in the rent?
- Will the landlord make any needed repairs or cleaning before you move in?
- How much time will you have to rent the apartment after submitting the application?
- Are you tied to the apartment if you submit an application?
- Who does the broker work for? – It’s important to know where their loyalty lies.
- Know What Paperwork You Can Expect the Broker to Ask You to Sign
Your broker should ask you to sign a registration form that reveals their commission.
You also should receive the Department of State disclosure form which discloses the relationship between the agent and the client in the transaction.
Lastly, you should receive a fair housing form that lets you know that neither the broker nor the agent can discriminate against a renter based on a protected class.
Be wary of being asked to sign deposit agreements for New York apartments for rent, as they’re now illegal in New York City. Our team also recommends that you don’t sign any forms that lock you into a commission before seeing an apartment.
- Check For Cracking, Mold and Poor Upkeep
Signs of cracking, mold, and general poor upkeep in apartments for rent in New York City could indicate a landlord who takes their time responding to renters’ complaints and concerns. If you see anything that needs to be repaired but still want the apartment, make sure to request in writing that the landlord fix any items in advance of move-in day.
- Check the Level of Natural Light
It’s important to view New York City apartments for rent during the day so you can check the level of natural light. You don’t want to have to rely on fluorescent lights day and night.
- Test the Air Conditioning and Heating
If you find an apartment for rent New York with air conditioning, make sure it works well enough to keep the entire space cool in summer. Likewise, you should test any controllable heating systems.
- Check the Kitchen Appliances Work
You’ll want a working kitchen, so test out the appliances when viewing New York apartments for rent. Check all the burners, the fridge and freezer temperatures, the kitchen sink, and the garbage disposal unit.
- Test the Water Temperature and Pressure
Check that the shower and/or bath faucets produce hot and cold water when you want it, and make sure that the water pressure is good.
- Flush the Toilet(s)
Flush the toilet(s) to check that it drains and refills the way it’s supposed to.
- Check for Signs of Infestation
Check for signs of infestation, such as rodent droppings, cockroaches, and other bugs inside drawers and cabinets, as well as behind furniture when viewing apartments for rent in New York City.
- Test the Outlets
Make sure all the electrical outlets work. Use your cellphone charger to test them.
- Bring Your Tape Measure
Measure rooms and the width of doors to make sure your furniture fits into the relevant spaces in the apartment.
- Check the Doors and Windows
Make sure all the doors and windows open, close, lock, and latch. Check that the frames and door sweeps are in good condition.
- Check the Common Areas
Check whether common areas such as stairwells, stoops, and hallways, as well as the laundry room and garbage maintenance area, are well-kept.
- Check Parking
Find out about the parking situation. Check whether the parking spot is in a secure garage, under cover, or on the street. Ask where your guests would park.
- Explore the Neighborhood
Remember to explore the neighborhood before signing the lease for an apartment for rent New York. Visit it during the day and at night to check noise levels and whether you feel happy and safe.
This checklist will help you cover all the basics when viewing spots in trendy New York areas to rent in 2022. Contact Platinum Properties for more assistance.
