1. What is the rent per month?
   
   
2. What security deposit is required? What does it represent and when will it be returned?



3. Can the rent be increased if property taxes are increased?



4. Who pays for the electricity, gas, and water?



5. Who pays for the common areas?



6. Is there a list of rules and regulations?



7. Negotiate changes to the lease that are unacceptable to you.



8. Try to have an option clause included.



9. Try to have a clause inserted terminating the lease if you move to a different city or giving you the right to sub-let the premises.



10. Are there maintenance services, and if so, how are emergency repairs dealt with?



11. Where are the refuse disposal facilities?



12. Laundry facilities - How many washers and dryers are available? (One washer and dryer for every ten apartments is a good ratio.) Are they in good working order?



13. Which electrical appliances are included in the lease? e.g., refrigerator, range, washer, dryer.



14. Building lobby - Are there security provisions? Is there an attendant at the door? How are deliveries handled?



15. Are there signs of insects, or mice or rats?



16. Bathrooms - Are the plumbing fixtures in good working order? Does the hot water supply seem adequate?



17. Kitchen - Do the sink, stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal work? Are there drain stoppers?



18. Air conditioning - Depending on where you live, this could be essential.



19. Wiring - Are there enough electrical outlets? Are there enough circuits in the fuse box or circuit breaker panel to handle the electrical equipment you expect to install?



20. Where is the fuse box? Is the heating system working?



21. If there is a fireplace, are there any signs such as smoke stains that indicate that it is not working properly?



22. Windows - Are any broken? Can they be opened and closed easily? Are screens provided? Are there drafts around the window frame? Does the landlord arrange for the outside of the windows to be cleaned, and if so, how often?



23. Floors - Are they marred, gouged, or are there water stains indicating previous leaks?



24. Ceilings - Do they have any water stains indicating previous leaks?



25. Walls - Is the plaster or paint peeling?



26. Telephone - Are phone jacks already installed in convenient locations?



27. Television - Are there restrictions on the hours when you can play the television or hi-fi? Is there an outside antennae or a cable TV connection?



28. Ventilation - Is it adequate? Is there an exhaust fan in the kitchen?



29. Lighting - Are there enough fixtures for adequate light, and are they in good working order? Is there adequate natural light from the windows?



30. Storage space - Is there adequate closet space? Are there enough kitchen and bathroom cabinets?



31. Security - Does the entry door have a deadbolt lock? a security chain? a through-the-door viewer?



32. Soundproofing - Knock on the walls. Do they seem hollow or solid? Can you hear the neighbors?
    

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