Apartment Tips

What to Look for Before You Rent

Ask if the unit is supplied with electric or natural gas
Check the water pressure on cold, hot and both, and see how long it takes to heat up
Bring a socket tester and test all outlets. Make sure there are enough outlets in each room, and that there are enough 3-prong outlets.
Check for cell reception
Ask the neighbors what the worst parts of the building, street and neighborhood are
Drive through the area during rush hour if commuting via car to see what the traffic is like
Make sure there's an Internet provider you’ll be happy with
Take a look around the property and the neighboring homes. If there are things left sitting on the porches (toys, furniture, decorations), it's a good sign there is little or no theft and it’s a kid-friendly environment.
Ask "How long do residents typically live in the building?"
Inspect the windows:
- Double-paned/double-glazed are best
- See if they’re in good repair
- Feel the area around the window to see if it’s cold – if it is, this can mean higher heating bills
- See if the windows open and close easily
Ask how old each appliance is and when it was purchased
- If they are on the older side, ask how often they’ve been serviced

For single room A/C units, insulate them with an A/C unit cover to keep air from escaping
- Consider removing the unit and putting it in storage during the cold months
Warm up your cold bare floors by laying down an area rug. Rugs trap heat, helping your heating system to keep your place comfortable.
By placing shallow pans of water near radiator tops or close to warm air vents, you can add much needed moisture to your room’s air.
Since most of the energy you spend on washing your clothes – 80% to 85% of it – is used heating the water, try washing your clothes on a colder temperature setting to lower your cost.