25 tips on what to look for when you're inspecting a prospective apartment.

KITCHEN
1. Run the water; check under the sink to see if the pipes leak. It is your right to have plumbing that is in good condition.
2. Turn on the stove and the oven if they are provided, does everything work, does the oven door close all the way and firmly?
3. Plug in any appliance to see that they work. Whoever supplies the cooking equipment is responsible for ots maintenance and safety.
4. Count the cabinets. Is there enough counter space? You may want to build or buy more cabinets with counterspace, if you have the room. If you do this, it would be to your advantage to purchase something moveable, since improvements on a rented apartment would increase the landlord's assets, not yours, and you would most likely have to get permission to do this or pay to have the addition removed if the landlord disapproves.
5. Cleanliness of the kitchen cabinets and drawers often reflect the cleanliness of the rest of the building. This is not always true, but keep it in mind.

BATHROOM
6. Run the water in the sink and the tub; check the shower; flush the toilet and check for leaks and water pressure. The landlord must provide either a bath or a shower, not necessarily both. All bathroom equipment must be kept in good condition. The landlord must provide running water and hot water facilities.
7. Check to make sure no tiles are loose or missing. The bathroom floor must be easy to clean and substantially waterproof. Floors and walls must be safe.
8. Make sure the window, skylight or fan works. Every bathroom must have a working window or other approved ventilating system such as a fan or skylight.

EVERY ROOM
9. Check corners, closets and cabinets for mouse traps and rodent poisons. Insects, rodents and pests must be exterminated by the landlord unless only one apartment is infested, in which case the tenant in that unit is responsible for the extermination.
10. Count electrical outlets and test each one with a night light. There must be at least two electrical outlets in each room, one of which may be a ceiling fixture. Will the minimum suit you or will you need more outlets? Are they placed in convenient locations for your use?
11. Try the wall switches. It is not necessary for a landlord to to provide ceiling fixtures if the room has two elctrical outlets.
12. Check floors for loose, broken or splintered boards.
13. Check wallpaper and paint for peeling, check plaster to see if it is in good condition.
14.Check windows for cracks; make sure the windows work and lock. Walls, floors, windows and doors must be safe and weathertight.
15. Check window screens for holes. It is not necessary for the landlord to provide screens but you may prefer them.

MISCELLANEOUS
16. Check ceilings for signs of leaks (stains or cracks). Ceilings must be weathertight.
17. Look out each window and door. You may not want to rent a unit where the neighborhood kids hang outside at night or where a burglar would have easy access. It is a good idea to look at your apartment during the dayu and night before you decide to rent.
18. Is the layout convenient for you? If you have a baby, you may not want her/his bedroom next to the room where you will be entertaining often.
19. Is there a washer and dryer in the building? These do not have to provided, but a building with them would be more convenient than lugging everything to a laundromat.
20. If utilities are included, may you have an air conditioner? If you want air conditioning and it is not provided, you most likely will have to pay for the electricity it uses even if electricity is included in the rent. Find out.
21. How long is the lease? You may want to negotiate this. Most leases are for one year.
22. How old is the building? Older buildings are more likely to have structural problems and more substantial repairs may have to be made by the landlord.
23. What kind of heat is there? If heat is included, this may not be a problem, but if you have to pay the electric bill, electric heat is an expense to consider in your budget.
24. Ask about the other tenants and try to talk to some of them. The law prohibits overcrowding and discriminating against people because of their race, age, religion, sexual preference, family status or anything else. You may however feel more comfortable in a building with other families or other single people, depending on yopur situation.
25. How much is the security deposit? The landlord cannot demand more than two months security deposit. After you live there for one year, he can ask for only one month in security. After you live there two years, he must put the money in an interest-bearing account which he makes known to you. You should get regular interest statements for this account. You are entitled to the money plus interest from this account when your lease expires, provided you don't owe anything for damages.