Inspect Your New Houston Apartment

• Get a pad of paper or notebook and a pen or pencil.
  
  
• Inspect all the walls and ceilings: make a note of any dents, holes or cracks in the plaster; scuff marks that don't rub off; and tears, bubbles or peeling wallpaper.
  
  
• Inspect all the floors: make a note of stains or discoloration in carpets; tears in linoleum; cracked or chipped tiles; and dents, scuffs or stains on hardwood floors.
  
  
• Inspect all trim (including moldings, door and window sills and door and window frames) for stains, cracks, leaks or other problems.
  
  
• Inspect all electrical outlets and lights to make sure they are functioning; pay close attention to any 2- or 3-way light switches and dimmers.
• In the bathroom(s): make sure all faucets (hot and cold) work without leaking; inspect for chips or scratches in fixtures and tile; inspect walls around the tub for 'sponginess'; and check counter tops for dents, scratches, or stains.
  
  
• In the kitchen: make sure all faucets (hot and cold) work without leaking; inspect for chips or scratches in fixtures and tile; inspect counter tops for dents, scratches, or stains; and make sure all appliances work and are clean.
  
  
• Make sure all exterior doors and windows work, seal properly, and have functioning locks; be especially alert to evidence of water infiltration.
  
  
• If you have a deck, balcony or patio with your Houston apartment, inspect it for chipped flagstone, warped or cracked boards, or problems with exterior siding.
  
  
• If you have a storage area, make sure it is cleaned out and that the locks are secure.
  
  
• Check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  
  
• If your apartment manager gave you an apartment inspection sheet, complete it noting all problems, no matter how small; if he didn't, write a formal letter noting the problems you found when entering your new Houston Apartment for the first time.
  
  
• Request that your apartment manager repair any problems you want taken care of as soon as possible.