Flat Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before You Rent

Ten minutes of checking on a visit saves months of living with a problem. Take this list with you, and photograph anything that needs fixing before you agree to rent.

In short

Check the water (pressure, timings, leaks and damp), the electricity (switches, wiring, meter and backup), the locks and windows, the kitchen and bathrooms, and phone signal in every room. Ask about the society's rules and maintenance, and see proof of ownership before you pay anything.

Water and plumbing

  • Run every tap and flush, and check the pressure — on upper floors too
  • Ask when water comes, and whether it’s municipal supply, borewell or tankers
  • Look for damp patches, bubbling paint or stains on walls and ceilings — signs of seepage
  • Check under sinks and around the toilet base for leaks, and sniff the drains
  • Check the geyser works and see how long hot water takes

Electricity

  • Switch on every light and fan, and test sockets with a phone charger
  • Check the flat has its own meter, and ask to see a recent bill
  • Ask about power cuts and backup — inverter or generator, and what it covers
  • Look for loose, burnt or exposed wiring, and find the MCB box
  • Check there are points for an AC, geyser and washing machine where you need them

Doors, windows and safety

  • Try every lock, and count the keys you’ll get
  • Check windows close properly and have grills or mesh where you need them
  • Look at the building’s security: gate, guard, CCTV, lighting at night
  • Find the fire exit, and check the stairs aren’t blocked

Kitchen and bathrooms

  • Ask whether gas is piped or cylinder, and whose name the connection is in
  • Check the chimney or exhaust fan works, and that there’s ventilation
  • Look for loose or cracked tiles, and check the bathroom floor drains
  • Open cupboards and check hinges, shelves and for signs of pests

Phone, internet and light

  • Check mobile signal in every room on your network
  • Ask which broadband providers serve the building
  • Note how much daylight and air each room gets at the time you visit

The society and the area

  • Ask about the society’s rules for tenants — bachelors, pets, guests and move-in fees
  • Ask what the monthly maintenance is and what it covers
  • Check parking: covered or open, allotted or first come
  • Try the commute at the time you’d travel, and walk to the nearest transport
  • Look for groceries, a pharmacy and a hospital nearby

Before you pay anything

  • See the owner’s proof of ownership and ID
  • Agree in writing what’s included: furniture, appliances, parking
  • Agree any repairs, and a date for them, before you sign
  • Get the rent, deposit, maintenance, notice period and lock-in in writing
  • Never pay a token before you’ve seen the place in person or on a live video call

Decided to rent it? Use the move-in checklist on handover day, and read how to spot a fake listing before paying anything.

Still looking?

Find homes listed by their owners on Razorent, and message the owner to arrange a visit. No brokerage.

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Inspecting a flat — FAQs

What should I check before renting a flat?

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Water pressure, timings and any leaks or damp; every switch, fan and socket; the meter and power backup; locks, windows and building security; the kitchen and bathrooms; mobile signal; and the society’s rules and maintenance charges. Then see proof of ownership and get the terms in writing before paying anything.

How do I check for water leakage in a rented flat?

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Look for damp patches, bubbling or peeling paint, and stains on ceilings and walls, especially next to bathrooms and the kitchen. Check under sinks and around the toilet base. If you can, visit after rain.

Should I ask the owner to fix problems before I move in?

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Yes. Agree the repairs and a date in writing before you sign or pay the deposit, and photograph the problems. That also settles any argument at move-out about who caused them.

What should I ask the owner on a visit?

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When water comes and from where, whether there is power backup, what maintenance covers, the society’s rules for tenants, who pays for which repairs, the notice period and any lock-in, and how the deposit is refunded.