Philadelphia Rental Checklist

Looking for a place to rent is serious business. You may not be buying the property but you will be living in it regularly, entertaining guests there or maybe even doing your work there so a suitable place to do just that takes some time and effort to find. So don’t get distracted by the sales talk and stick to your standards.

There are a lot of things you need to consider when deciding which place to rent but here are 10 basic principles that you should not bargain for.

House Pests

It is most likely that there will be at least one small bug pestering you and your peace but a lot of them are a no-no so check for any signs of infestations. Look for small holes that insects can go through. Open the cabinets and try to smell the surroundings because when there is an infestation sometimes you can smell it, peak at the fridge and just inspect thoroughly before you move in. Incidentally, Philadelphia has a good amount of mice population so try to look for mouse poop to determine if they are taking over the house you’re planning to rent.


Fire Security

A good place to rent is a unit where there are smoke detectors and a fire alarm throughout the whole building so it is adamant you find out if the landlord is complying with this rental rule. You also need to make sure that there is a fire escape that is easy to navigate in case of emergencies.

Check the Noise

If you are a light sleeper then you may want to consider the noise situation on your prospect like if the unit you want to rent is situated near the street where there is heavy traffic all day and even during the night? Do you live a few steps away from a bar frequented by boisterous yuppies? Think of all these things and see for yourself if you can live in the place you are checking out.

Check the Water

Contaminated water is dangerous so make sure the water from the faucet is clean and make sure that when your turn off all the faucets of the units you’re eyeing to rent that they are all in good working condition. You may also want to ensure that the toilet bowl is functioning well when you flush it as well as the pressure of the bathroom.

Check the Floors

Some floors are really squeaky but you have no problem with it then you can continue negotiating with the landlord about the lease but make sure to buy rugs so you won’t bother the tenant living below your floor. Buying a new rugs mean extra cost so you may also want to consider that.

Keen Observer

As a tenant it is only reasonable to set some standards. And one of the things you should be looking into is if the property you want to rent is using a lead free paint since lead can causes kidney damage, high blood pressure and brain and nervous system malfunction.

Check the Windows

Try and check the windows to see if there are screens and storm windows and make sure the windows open and close properly. You need to make sure too if there are drafts.

Check the Odor

As mentioned above some infestation may cause bad odor inside the unit but that is not the only reason for bad odor. There could be a gas leak and sewage problems which can cause stinky smell and can also pose some serious health threats.
Check the Appliances
If the burners, oven and freezer are not working then you might want to think about whether you’ll continue with this transaction or not. Appliances in the unit should all be properly working and safe for you and whoever it is you will be living with.

Security Check

Among all these things, you need to make security a priority. Check the deadbolt and the double locks and make sure they are in compliance with the law and they are safe and easy to use especially in case of emergencies. Please be reminded before you make a deal that this checklist and all the other checklist have been met by the landlord.