Tips for apartment safety before renting

Apartment hunting can be both exciting and stressful. It’s important to take your time in finding the right place for you and your family, and to ask the right questions before signing a lease. 

One of the most important factors to consider is safety. Below are some tips to keep in mind before renting an apartment: 

1. Check the general upkeep of the community.

Little things like burnt-out light bulbs, peeling paint, or leaky faucets might seem like easily fixable annoyances, but they can also be telltale signs of a bad management. The last thing you want is to have a major security issue—like a broken lock or window—and wait weeks for a proper fix. 

As soon as you arrive at an apartment community, you need to make tedious notes for the signs of poor maintenance. Here are some examples: 

Broken fences 
Overgrown landscaping 
Peeling paint 
Dirty office 

2. Security-related questions to ask.

Does the community have a CCTV security camera system? 
Is the co-building and grounds well lit? 
Do management’s maintenance staff wear badges, company logo, or name tags? 

These are all important questions to ask to get a sense of the community’s security. You don’t want to live in a community that feels unsafe, so it’s important to do your research ahead of time.

3. Ask about the lease agreement.

When you’re looking at lease agreements, it’s important to read the fine print. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing anything. 

Lease agreements can be tricky, so it’s important to have a lawyer look over it before you sign. If you don’t have a lawyer, ask the management team if they have any recommendations.

4. Get to know your neighbors.

One of the best ways to feel safe in your community is to get to know your neighbors. If you know who lives around you, you’ll be more likely to feel comfortable and safe. 

Introduce yourself when you move in, and ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your management team.

5. Follow your intuition.

If something feels off about a community, trust your intuition and move on. You don’t want to rent an apartment in a community that doesn’t feel safe for you and your family. 

Take your time in finding the right community for you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to speak up.