When shopping for an apartment, you may not know if you can you see your apartment before signing a lease. Maybe your specific unit is still occupied or undergoing renovations. Or, perhaps you’re searching for an apartment in another city or state and can’t see it before you move. Regardless, you may not see your actual apartment before you sign the rental contract. But, there are steps you can take to ensure you get the apartment you want.
Can you see your apartment before signing a lease?
You may wonder if a landlord is legally required to show you the specific apartment you will rent before you sign the lease. The short answer is no. You can request the landlord show you a similar apartment, such as the model apartment, so you know what your unit would look like. However, because you voluntarily sign the renter’s contract, you’re agreeing to the lease terms, whether you see the actual unit or not.
How to proceed with an apartment sight unseen
If you intend to sign a lease without seeing an apartment beforehand, there are steps you should take to ensure you, hopefully, have an apartment you can live with — and in.
1. Check out the apartment community
Even if you can’t see your actual apartment, you can still check out the apartment community. Take a walk through the building or community to see the amenities, talk with other tenants to find out the good and bad of living there, and see how quiet or loud the area is. This also provides a look at how well-kept the grounds and buildings are.
For a gated complex, the landlord should provide access so you can look around. If he or she is unwilling to let you scout the property, that could be a red flag, one you should take into consideration before signing a lease.
If you can’t get to the apartment complex, review information online, such as photos and, if possible, reviews. Use Google StreetView on Google Earth to see the community.
2. Check out the surrounding neighborhood
Review online maps or take a drive down the streets surrounding the apartment complex. What type of neighbors would you have? Restaurants, business services, industrial warehouses or residential subdivisions? Is there a lot of traffic, making it difficult to get in and out of the apartment complex? If there are restaurants or industrial businesses nearby, are there smells in the air? Spend some time in the area to evaluate what it’s like to live there.
3. Outline specifics in the apartment lease
If your actual apartment is significantly different in reality than what the landlord agreed to provide in the tenant contract, the rental agreement could be rendered void. Therefore, be as specific in the lease as possible when including apartment details.
For instance, make sure it states you’re renting a two-bedroom unit. If your landlord says you will have an apartment with a balcony, at the end of the hall or on the first floor, make sure the renter’s contract includes those details. If the landlord says the rental unit will be freshly painted, include granite countertops and have new carpet, spell that out in the lease agreement.
Including the most specific details provides protection for you given you haven’t seen the apartment before you sign the lease agreement.
4. Ask to delay signing the lease agreement until after the walk-through
Although a landlord is not legally required to show you the specific apartment you will live in before you sign a tenant contract, he or she must do a walk-through of the unit with you on move-in day. During this walk-through, examine every corner of the apartment. Do you see signs of water damage? Are there any broken locks on doors or windows? Do you actually have granite countertops, fresh paint and a new carpet?
If you find issues with the apartment, make a list and take photos and/or videos to document what the landlord needs to repair. Have the landlord sign the list, acknowledging the issues. This protects you from being responsible for any damages and provides possible evidence if you have to sue the property management company for failure to repair or address these problems.
5. Don’t hesitate to walk away
If you don’t feel comfortable enough to sign the tenancy agreement without seeing your specific apartment first, don’t. It’s that simple. Signing is voluntary, so don’t feel pressured to sign a legally binding agreement if you don’t think it’s the right path for you to take.
Once you do sign, you’re legally obligated to adhere to the terms of the legally binding contract, including paying a security deposit, the first month’s rent and any fees to terminate the lease early.
Feel confident before signing your lease
The bottom line is this: Don’t sign on the bottom line of a lease agreement for an apartment you haven’t seen yet until you’re confident this will be a good home for your foreseeable future.
Committing to a lease agreement is no easy decision. Review all your options and check out the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhood. If possible, have an attorney review the lease before signing it. These precautions can go a long way in making sure you’re happy with the apartment you will call home.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal or financial advice as they may deem it necessary.
Source: rent.com