First Apartment Checklist
Table of Contents
Safety
Check doors and locks
Check windows and locks
Look for smoke detectors
Look for fire extinguishers
Get renter's insurance
Contact a rental service
The Neighborhood
Look at the condition of the neighborhood.
Is the location convenient?.
The Kitchen
What appliances come with the apartment?.
Test the plumbing
Look for infestations
The Bathroom
Check the shower/tub
Flush the toilets
In General
Look at your budget
Read the lease
Ask for a renters checklist
Are pets allowed? If you've always dreamed of getting a puppy as soon as you get your first apartment, make sure they allow pets before you sign the lease.
Look for signs of rodents
Check the heating and air conditioning
Where will you park? If you have a car you're going to want to know that it's safe, too
Where are the laundry facilities? Are there laundry facilities on site or will you have to go to the laundromat every week? Remember, mom isn't going to be around to do you laundry every day.
What Floor Is It On? That fifth floor apartment might have a really nice view but how are you going to get your furniture up there? Is there an elevator? Are you going to like climbing those stairs every day for the year or two until your lease expires? What about your visitors? Will they be able to climb the stairs, too? And what about that puppy?! Seven flights of stairs is a long way to go when you're trying to housebreak a new puppy! Maybe your first apartment should be on the ground floor.
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Presented by:
Nicole Nichols-West
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Details
How exciting! Today's the day you're going to start looking for your first apartment! You're ready to spread your wings and leave the nest and set up your own little home now. A place to call your own that you can decorate anyway you like, you can entertain in whenever you like and you can clean – or not clean – as often as you like. No more sharing a room with your brother or sister, no more party noises from the dorm next door. You can get a cat or a dog if you want. You can eat cereal for dinner if you want. And you can walk around in your underwear if you want to! It's your first apartment and you have big plans for this place! So here's our 20 Things To Look For In Your First Apartment Checklist.
Tips
Well, before you move into that first apartment you need to remember that mommy and daddy aren't going to be there to chase away the bogeyman – or pay your bills. You also won't have a nice warm garage to store your car in during the winter, you probably won't even have your own parking space and if you don't have a car at all you better make sure that first apartment is close to public transportation. But let's not talk about negatives right now. After all – you're about to move into your first apartment and this is the beginning of a whole new chapter of your life. Why, YOUR first apartment is going to have everything you ever dreamed of – a self-cleaning bathroom, someone who comes in and prepares your meals, a shower with a never ending supply of hot water and a bed that makes itself! Of course, all of those amenities will cost you a little bit extra every month and since this is your first apartment you may not have the budget for that.
Who it's for
This First Apartment Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your First Apartment essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven First Apartment structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this First Apartment Checklist
- Save First Apartment Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for First Apartment (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.