Recently, I moved into a new apartment, and while the place looked nice when we signed the lease, there are several things I wish I had looked at more carefully before inking the paper. Luckily things are working out some weeks later, but doing these things would have saved a lot of money frustration and time if we looked into them more carefully. Here is my list:

1. Get it in writing: If things should be done by the time you move in, get it in writing with a backup option in case it is not completed. We now live in a 100 degree+ climate and twenty days later our A/C is still not fully installed. There were workers in our apartment constantly for seven days past when we were supposed to move in.
2. Familiarize yourself with local building codes: This would include such things as smoke detectors, sealant around pipes, adequate electrical outlets and more. Call out such things before signing a lease, and refuse to sign until the place is up to code.
3. Open every cabinet, closet, etc: An apartment might appear clean in open spaces, but check the hidden places, you might have unexpected roommates such as roaches.
4. If the apartment provides appliances, or will provide them, make sure they're up to your needs: We had the option of renting a washer and dryer for an extra fee, so we agreed, only to find out the washer only ran cold, only had once cycle, and ultimately shredded up our clothes. Luckily our landlord agreed to replace it with a better model.
5. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood: If the houses around you have security systems and yours doesn't, find out why. Take a drive around during the day and at night to get a feel for the area. In urban areas what you think might be safe could be radically different one block away.
6. Familiarize yourself with public transit: If you're counting on having a vehicle, count on it breaking or worse, dying at some point. Make sure you can get around whether it be bus, train, bike, or walking.
7. Ask for the premises to be professionally cleaned. It's only fair. And reasonable that you shouldn't have to do it when you move in.
8. Inquire about ground maintenance such as lawn care, trash pickup, etc.
9. Ask for 24 hours to review your lease agreement. Make sure you understand it completely before signing, and ask any questions that are unclear to you.
10. Get a tenants rights guide if your area has one.

Unfortunately not every renting experience is a pleasant one, and not every landlord is reasonable. Our recent renting experience has been a nightmare, but we are lucky to have a very reasonable landlord who has been helpful in getting things up to speed. Remember you're entering into a long term business agreement and both sides should be reasonable and respectful to each other, and remember, you are the one paying as a renter, so you should get what you're paying for.