Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/1208862
No background or credit check A landlord or employee of a management company who doesn't require a background or credit check may seem easygoing. You don't have to hassle with paperwork or pay the fees for these checks? What a dream! But a laissez-faire landlord may simply not care about the state of the property or having a responsible tenant live there. A good landlord always wants to have qualified tenants in place, so be careful if you find an apartment and the landlord is quick to ask for money without doing a background check. Untidy common areas It may seem minor, but trash that has blown into the landscaping or a dirty common area can be a red flag as well. If a rental looks as though it isn't well-maintained, then you are bound to be an unhappy tenant. 4 Location, location, location To get a clear picture of the property—and the persistent noises around it—take the time to visit the neighborhood at different hours of the day. There could be a prominent homeless issue that is more evident during the nighttime hours, when you would possibly walk home from work. There is no way to fully understand the location unless you are living there and experiencing the day to day, but being pro-active and doing a bit of research into the area would behoove you. Playing tag with the property manager Is it difficult to reach the landlord or property manager to set up a showing? Think about how hard it will be to reach them when you actually live there and have a repair or a question about your rent. It might seem like a minor inconvenience when shopping for a rental, but how they conduct business before you sign a lease is usually a sign of how they'll treat you after you're officially a tenant. There are lots of scented candles burning. One or two is normal, but there may be cause for concern when there are multiple candles in each room, or a potpourri scent is overwhelming. Best-case scenario: The owners just had a house painted or the floors stained. Worst: they're trying to cover up pet urine or smoke, which can seep into floors, and sometimes the only way to get rid of them is to replace the floors (and subfloors) entirely. Beware of the smell. 6 8 7 5