Updated: June 28, 2026 | The Trulia Team
You found a listing you love. The photos are nice, the rent feels doable, and the tour was great. But before you sign, there’s a list of questions worth asking your landlord or property manager, or at least asking yourself. These questions could save you hundreds of dollars and plenty of headaches down the road.
Renting an apartment is a big commitment. But it is easy to tour a place, fall for the natural light, and forget to ask about the stuff that actually matters month to month.
This guide walks you through questions to ask before you sign a lease, from rent and utilities to building rules, management, and what the neighborhood is really like. Read on, take notes, and head into your next apartment tour ready to make a smart, confident decision.
Questions About the Apartment
These questions help you understand the unit itself: what you’re actually paying for, and what it’ll cost to live there each month.
1. What is the monthly rent?
This one seems obvious but it’s worth confirming with your landlord. Ask for the exact monthly figure, when it’s due, and what payment methods are accepted. Also ask whether the listed price reflects any temporary promotions (like one month free) that could bump your cost up later.
For context, based on Trulia data, the average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment as of June 2026 is about $1,500. The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment on Trulia is closer to $1,800, though prices swing wildly by location. For example, average rent on Trulia for a 1 bedroom in New York is more like $3,800. Figuring out the rent in the city and neighborhood gives you a solid baseline to judge whether this listing is a fair deal or a stretch.
Rents are also increasing in many places, so ask the landlord whether they anticipate any increases at renewal time. On Trulia, the average rent of a 1 bedroom apartment in New York has increased almost 10% compared to last year. If the price seems lower than expected, ask why. Sometimes a great deal comes with a catch.
2. Are utilities included? If not, what’s the typical cost?
Always ask which utilities are baked into your rent and which ones you are responsible for. Water and trash are often included, heat is sometimes included, but electricity, gas, and internet usually are not. A “cheap” apartment can quickly become expensive once you add it all up. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average electricity bill was about $140 per month in 2024. Once you add in gas, internet, and other utilities, your monthly bill can be hundreds of dollars.
Costs vary widely by city and state. Ask the landlord for the previous tenant’s average bills if you can get them. Knowing the real monthly cost before you sign helps you budget with confidence instead of guessing.
. How much is the security deposit, and are there other move-in fees?
The security deposit is often your single biggest upfront cost after rent. But deposits are not the only upfront cost to budget for. Many apartments add on a range of move-in fees. Ask your property manager about:
- Administrative or move-in fees
- Amenity fees
- Pet deposits or pet rent
- Anything else that shows up on move-in day
Different cities and states have different regulations on security deposit limits. So it’s worth knowing what landlords are legally allowed to ask for. On the other hand, landlords have more flexibility in the amount and types of other move-in fees they can require. In any case, you should confirm the charges and fees upfront so you have a good understanding of what to budget for.
4. What’s the pet policy?
Many renters have pets. Even if you do not have a furry roommate right now, the policy affects your flexibility if you decide to get a pet during your lease.
Ask the landlord about breed or weight restrictions, monthly pet rent, one-time pet fees, and whether there is a limit on the number of animals. Based on Trulia data, in June 2026, about 40% of apartments allow pets. Some buildings charge a non-refundable pet fee on top of a higher deposit, so do the math before you fall in love with the place. Also ask whether there are designated outdoor pet areas or restrictions on where pets can go in the building.
5. How old are the appliances, and what’s the repair policy?
Older appliances are not a dealbreaker but they can hint at higher energy bills and more frequent breakdowns. Ask the landlord about the age of the fridge, stove, dishwasher, and HVAC system, and who is responsible when something stops working.
An older HVAC system can cost 30-40% more per month in electricity usage than a newer system. In most rentals, the landlord covers appliance repairs for anything that came with the unit. But it is helpful to confirm this and ask how quickly repairs typically happen. A broken fridge in July should not mean a week of takeout.
6. What is storage space like?
Closet space, a pantry, a basement locker, a bike room: storage makes a real difference in how livable an apartment feels day to day. This is one of those things that is easy to overlook during a quick tour, because you are picturing the space empty rather than filled with your actual belongings.
Ask the landlord whether there is any extra storage included beyond what is visible in the unit, and if so, whether it is secure and climate-controlled. Based on Trulia data, in June 2026, about 5% of apartments offer bike storage, which can certainly make your apartment feel much less cluttered.
7. Has the unit had any recent issues?
Ask the landlord directly about past problems: leaks, pests, mold, electrical issues, or anything that required a major repair. A straightforward landlord will tell you. If the landlord is hesitant, that tells you something too.
Nationally, according to the US Census Bureau, over 10% of homes report seeing roaches or rodents, making it one of the most common and costly surprises after move-in. Pay attention to water stains on ceilings, holes in the wall or around entryways (or wire wool used to plug holes), fresh paint in odd spots (sometimes covering up issues), and how the place smells. These small clues can reveal a lot about how well the unit has been maintained. You can also ask to see documentation of recent repairs or work orders.
Questions About the Building and Amenities
The unit is only part of the story. The building you live in shapes your day-to-day just as much as the apartment itself, so it is important to also ask about the building.
8. What are the rules for common areas?
Shared spaces like hallways, lobbies, courtyards, and rooftops come with their own set of rules. Ask the property manager about guest policies, quiet hours, and whether you can use common areas for things like gatherings or working out.
Formal common area policies are often standard, and violations can result in fines. Knowing these rules upfront helps you avoid awkward run-ins with management or neighbors later. It also tells you a lot about the building’s overall character. Some buildings have very active community spaces; others keep things minimal and quiet. Neither is wrong, but you want to make sure the culture fits how you live.
9. Are there amenities like a gym or pool?
Many apartments offer amenities like a pool or gym. In June 2026, about 15% of apartments on Trulia offered a pool and about 10% offered a gym. Amenities sound great, but it is important to weigh whether you will actually use them before treating them as a selling point. A pool and gym are nice, but they sometimes come bundled into your rent whether you use them or not.
If you do see yourself regularly using the amenities, ask the property manager which amenities are free and which cost extra, and ask about hours and maintenance. A gym with three broken machines or a pool that is closed half the season is not much of a perk. Find out how recently the amenities were updated and whether any planned closures or renovations are coming up.
10. How many washers and dryers are there, and how much does it cost?
Laundry is one of those everyday essentials that can quietly become a source of real frustration. If the building has shared laundry (as many do – on Trulia, 20% of apartments have shared laundry, compared to 24% with in-unit laundry), ask the property manager:
- How many machines are available, and how many units share them. If there are too many units per building, you could be waiting hours for an open machine, especially on weekends.
- The cost per load, and whether machines are coin-operated, card-based, or app-connected. I
- The laundry room hours, and whether machines can be reserved or if it is first come, first served.
If the unit has a washer and dryer hookup, confirm whether machines are included or whether you would need to bring your own. And if there is nothing on-site, ask your landlord how far the nearest laundromat is before you assume it is a quick walk.
secure is the building?
Your safety and peace of mind matter. Ask about:
- Secured entry, surveillance cameras, and intercom systems
- Whether there is a doorman or on-site staff
- How keys or fobs are managed, and what happens if you lose one. Replacement costs for electronic fobs can be surprisingly high.
12. What internet providers serve the building?
Whether you are working from home, streaming, gaming, your internet matters more than ever. Some buildings are wired for only one provider, which limits your options and your ability to shop for a better rate.
Internet runs about $68 a month on average, but can be higher depending on the internet provider. Ask the property manager which providers serve the building and what speeds are available. If you work remotely or rely heavily on a stable connection, it is worth asking whether the building has any history of outages or connectivity issues.
13. What’s the parking situation?
If you own a car, this question can make or break a listing. Walk through it in pieces:
- Ask whether parking is included in the rent, costs extra, or is not available at all (sometimes there are zero spots). Buying a dedicated parking spot or garage space separately garage can cost several hundred dollars a month.
- What kind of parking it is: a dedicated spot, a shared lot, a garage, or street-only. In some cities and neighborhoods, on-street parking is very difficult, so a guaranteed spot might be worth paying for.
- Whether the area requires a residential parking permit, how competitive street spots are in the evenings, and whether street-cleaning days could lead to tickets.
The prevalence of parking varies a lot by city. In Houston, about 60% of apartments listed on Trulia have on-site parking. In New York, it is 30%. Even if your building has parking, your guests will need somewhere to go, so understanding the full picture and street parking matters.
14. How is trash and recycling handled?
Some buildings have chutes on every floor. Others expect you to haul everything to a dumpster out back. Even though it is just one chore, it is something you end up doing several times a week. So, it is worth confirming how difficult it is to take out the trash.
Ask the property manager where trash and recycling go, whether there is valet trash service (and a fee for it), and what the recycling rules are. Also ask about bulky item disposal, since getting rid of old furniture or large boxes can be more complicated than it sounds.
Questions About Property Management
A great apartment with bad management can turn into a daily frustration. These questions help you figure out who you will be dealing with and what to expect.
15. Who manages the property?
Find out whether you are renting from an individual landlord, a small local company, or a large property management firm. Each comes with trade-offs. Individual landlords can be more flexible and personal, while bigger companies often have more formal systems for repairs, payments, and communication.
If the building is professionally managed, you can often look up reviews of the management company online before you sign. Sites like Google and Yelp can surface reviews quickly and help you spot red flags.
16. How do I contact management for issues?
Knowing how to reach your landlord or property manager is more important than it might seem in the moment. When something goes wrong, like a broken heater in January or a leak that appears overnight, you need to know exactly who to call and how fast they will respond. Ask about:
- The available channels: an online portal, an email address, a phone line, or an on-site office, and the hours for each.
- Whether different channels are used for different issues, such as routine requests through a portal while emergencies get a direct phone number.
- Whether there is a 24-hour emergency line. A burst pipe at 2 a.m. does not wait for business hours.
17. What’s the process and timeline for maintenance requests?
This is where management reputations are made or broken. Ask how you submit a request, how quickly they typically respond, and how urgent issues (like no heat or no water) get prioritized versus smaller repairs.
A good answer sounds specific: “Submit through the portal, non-emergencies addressed within 48 hours, emergencies same day.” A vague or evasive answer is a yellow flag worth taking seriously. It is also worth asking how the landlord tracks open requests and whether you will receive updates as work is scheduled. If you can, talk to a current resident before you sign and ask them directly about their experience with repairs.
Questions About the Application Process
Before you can move in, you have to get approved. Knowing the requirements upfront saves you time and money.
18. What’s required to apply and qualify?
Ask the landlord what documents you will need, such as pay stubs, bank statements, references, and proof of employment, and what the income and credit requirements are. Many landlords look for income that is roughly three times the monthly rent. In Dallas, where the average rent of an apartment is $1,460, that means an income of $52,500 per year.
Knowing this ahead of time helps you gather everything in one go and avoid scrambling at the last minute. It also tells you whether you are likely to qualify before you pay any fees. If you fall slightly short on income or credit, ask upfront whether a co-signer or a larger deposit would be considered. Some landlords have flexibility that they will not advertise unless you ask.
19. What’s the application fee, and is it refundable?
Application fees usually cover background and credit checks, and they are typically non-refundable even if you are not approved for the unit. Ask before you apply, especially if you are submitting applications to several places at once. Fees add up fast, especially when you are casting a wide net. Also ask the landlord how long the application review takes, so you know whether you can realistically hold out for this listing or need to keep looking in the meantime.
20. What’s the move-in timeline?
Timing matters, especially if you are coordinating the end of one lease with the start of another. Ask the landlord when the unit will be ready, how long approval typically takes, and whether the move-in date has any flexibility.
Knowing the timeline helps you line up movers, give proper notice at your current place, and avoid paying double rent or scrambling for temporary housing. If the unit is not ready until after your current lease ends, ask whether the landlord can hold your deposit while you finalize the transition.
Questions About the Lease Agreement
The lease is the contract you will live by for the next year or more. It is important to read it carefully and ask about anything that is unclear before you sign.
21. What’s the lease term, renewal policy, and penalty for breaking it?
Most leases run 12 months, but terms vary. It can be helpful to ask what happens when the lease ends. Does it auto-renew, shift to month-to-month, or require signing a new agreement? It is also helpful to ask how much rent might increase at renewal. In some places, there are limits to how much rent can be raised each year. But it pays to ask upfront what to expect.
Circumstances change, so you may want to ask the landlord about the penalty for breaking the lease early. Some charge a flat fee equal to one or two months’ rent; others require you to keep paying until they find a new tenant.
22. What’s the notice period for moving out?
Many leases require 30 to 60 days’ notice before you move out. Miss that window and you could owe extra rent even if you are gone. You can ask the landlord how and when to give notice, and confirm whether notice has to be delivered by a specific method like certified mail or through a tenant portal.
Questions About the Surroundings
Where you live is more than four walls. The neighborhood and the apartment community shapes your commute, your errands, and your everyday life.
23. How many units share the building?
The size of your building affects everything from noise levels to how quickly maintenance gets to your door. A four-unit walk-up feels very different from a 200-unit high-rise. To get a sense of what it is like to live in the community, you can ask the landlord how many units there are and what the typical tenant turnover looks like. You can also ask the landlord about whether there are any community events.
24. What’s the area like for transit and commuting?
Your commute can have a big impact on your mood and time. A great apartment quickly loses its appeal if getting to work takes hours. Ask about nearby bus and train lines, how frequent the service is, and how long the trip actually takes during rush hour rather than off-peak.
25. How walkable is the neighborhood for groceries and errands?
Being able to walk to a grocery store, pharmacy, or coffee shop is a practical luxury that adds up in both time and money saved. It also shapes how connected you feel to the neighborhood day to day.
To figure this out and get a data-driven snapshot of what daily life looks like, you can look at some online sources and maps, including Trulia’s neighborhood pages (for example, this one). But numbers only tell part of the story. You can also visit the neighborhood at different times of day, including a weekday morning and a weekend evening, to get a real feel for noise levels, foot traffic, and the general atmosphere. Walk to the nearest grocery store or coffee shop and time it yourself.
Ready to Find Your Next Place?
Renting a great apartment is not about luck. It is about asking the right questions, including to your landlord or property manager, before you sign a thing.
You can save this list of 25 questions, bring it to your next tour, and see if they are all answered by the end of it. A good landlord will respect your thoroughness, and you will walk away knowing exactly what you are signing up for.
25. How walkable is the neighborhood for groceries and errands?
Being able to walk to a grocery store, pharmacy, or coffee shop is a practical luxury that adds up in both time and money saved. It also shapes how connected you feel to the neighborhood day to day.
To figure this out and get a data-driven snapshot of what daily life looks like, you can look at some online sources and maps, including Trulia’s neighborhood pages (for example, this one). But numbers only tell part of the story. You can also visit the neighborhood at different times of day, including a weekday morning and a weekend evening, to get a real feel for noise levels, foot traffic, and the general atmosphere. Walk to the nearest grocery store or coffee shop and time it yourself.
Ready to Find Your Next Place?
Renting a great apartment is not about luck. It is about asking the right questions, including to your landlord or property manager, before you sign a thing.
You can save this list of 25 questions, bring it to your next tour, and see if they are all answered by the end of it. A good landlord will respect your thoroughness, and you will walk away knowing exactly what you are signing up for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some important questions are your actual monthly costs (rent plus utilities), the security deposit and any move-in fees, pet and parking policies, and how maintenance requests are handled. Anything that affects your wallet or your daily routine deserves a clear answer. If a landlord hesitates or gets vague on any of these, that reaction is useful information too.
It is important to go beyond the layout and the light. You can check water pressure, look under sinks for signs of damage, open and close windows to make sure they seal properly. Listen for sound carrying from neighboring units to gauge how thick the walls are. Here is a checklist of things to look for as you tour the apartment.
