Random Warning Signs To Be Look Out For When Renting (15 items)

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  (#1) Visible Signs Of Water Damage

  Water damage most often results from plumbing leaks or leaks in the roof. Signs of water damage can be obvious - such as standing water on the floor - or it can be more subtle, like discolored patches in the ceiling, walls, or flooring.

  Another good way to check for water damage is to give the property a good sniff. Water-damaged spaces smell damp, musty, and stale. If left untreated, water damage can encourage mold growth; allergic-like reactions, respiratory infections, and memory loss are just a few symptoms of mold infestation.
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  (#2) Mysterious Droppings Under The Sink Or Near The Water Heater

  Animal dropping should give any prospective renter pause. Droppings under the sink are often a sign of mice. Droppings near a water heater can indicate roaches.

  Also, bed bugs can survive a year without food, so even in an empty rental unit, bed bugs may still be lurking. Signs of bed bugs in an empty home can include discarded shells or coffeelike grounds (bed bug excrement) on the floor. If the unit is furnished, check in the mattress, box spring, and the crevices of all other furniture for small, reddish-brown stains and live bugs.
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  (#3) Suspicious Rental Agreements

  Before paying a deposit or agreeing to rent a property, ask to see the lease or rental agreement. While both documents serve the same purpose of establishing a tenant-landlord contract, a lease is used for a fixed, longer-term rental, such as a year's lease. A rental agreement is used for shorter-term contracts, like month-to-month leases.

  Regardless of the type the landlord is using, review the document carefully beforehand. All wording should be legally sound and clear. Read the policies and fees regarding early termination, pets, and late payments. If there is language that puts you on the hook for repairs or upgrades that are not your fault or responsibility, don't sign. When in doubt, consult a lawyer.
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  (#4) Poor Water Pressure

  When you're touring a prospective rental, turn on the taps in all sinks and showers to check the water pressure. Low water pressure can be indicative of a number of potential issues. On the minor end, it might just be a main water valve or water meter valve that isn't fully opened. On the serious end, it could be a sign of old pipes. Old pipes are less efficient pipes, and they are more prone to leaks and bursts.

  There is also a practical consideration to bear in mind as well; low water pressure means it will take a frustratingly long time to do even the simplest of tasks, like drawing a bath or washing the dishes.
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  (#5) Sawdust-Like Piles Below Support Beams Or Near Wooden Moldings

  When termites munch away on wood, they leave behind something called frass. It looks like sawdust, but it's actually their excrement. It can range in color from light beige to black, and on (very) close inspection, it looks like a pile of miniscule, deflated footballs.

  If the rental property you're touring has wooden support beams or moldings, look under and around them for piles of frass.
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  (#6) They Didn't Do A Credit Check Or They Asked For Cash Upfront

  A legitimate, responsible landlord wants to rent to a trustworthy tenant. The first place to verify the financial trustworthiness of a tenant is to run a credit check on them.

  If a landlord doesn't do a credit check, be leery. They cannot run a credit check without your permission, so if they say they already have, back off. Also, never pay a landlord cash upfront - with cash, check, money transfer, or any other payment mode - without seeing the place inside and out and first turning in an application. Relinquishing money before you've even seen the place or met the landlord smacks of deceit.
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  (#7) No Heat Supply

  In the vast majority of rental situations, landlords are required to provide a heat source as part of renting a safe and habitable unit. The extent of this responsibility, however, varies by city or state.

  In San Francisco, landlords must provide a heat source year-round that heats interiors to 68 degrees between the hours of 5:00 and 11:00 am and 3:00 and 10:00 pm. In New York City, landlords must provide a heat source from October 31 to May 31. Interiors must reach 68 degrees between 6:00 and 10:00 pm and at least 55 degrees throughout the night. Check with your local laws regarding heating (or air conditioning) requirements before heading to an open house.
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  (#8) Obvious Signs Of Damage

  One of the more visible warning signs of a questionable rental property is the presence of physical damage. Windows, light fixtures, fans, and moldings should all be in one piece and free of cracks and holes. If there are chips in the sink or the countertop, it doesn't necessarily need to be a deal-breaker, but report it to the landlord immediately in case it develops into a larger issue; take photos of it and send it to them if necessary.

  Also, be on the lookout for stains. If carpets, walls, or ceilings are stained, it could be a sign of water damage or it could just be a sign of a landlord who doesn't care.
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  (#9) Suspiciously Low Rent

  This is one that falls under the "If It Sounds Too Good to Be True" category. A rent that is advertised far below market price for your area is more than likely concealing a thing or two. Either the advertised rate is a special, first-month-only move-in price, or they're going to try to scam you.

  Unfortunately, rental scams are all too common, and questionably low rents are often a way internet scammers pull in unsuspecting victims. More common scam tactics include: asking for money before viewing, responding to queries with lightning-fast speed, and posting multiple rental ads at a variety of different price-points.
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  (#10) Appliances Don't Work

  If the electricity is hooked up in the apartment you're touring, test out the appliances. Plug the refrigerator in and confirm all lights are on and the motor is running. If you have a smartphone charger with you, test out a few of the electrical outlets in the property to make sure they all have juice.

  Be sure to test out gas appliances as well. Turn on each burner of the stove and make sure they light. Flip the oven on and make sure it warms up. 
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  (#11) Inadequate Smoke And CO2 Detectors

  Most states require landlords to provide working smoke detectors in rental units. About half of the states in the union require carbon monoxide detectors as well.

  See that the rental you're considering has at least the minimum amount of smoke and CO2 detectors as determined by your state. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there should be a smoke detector on each level of the property, and there should be a smoke detector in each bedroom. Test smoke alarms every six months. Always keep fresh batteries on hand in case the existing ones in the devices run low.
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  (#12) Old Pipes

  Be sure to look at the actual pipes in the rental home. In addition to low water pressure and an increased likelihood of leaks and bursts, old pipes can cause hard or rusty water that leaves stains in sinks, tubs, and toilets and a residue on kitchenware.

  If the pipes have galvanized lead in them, there are added concerns about health and safety; lead poisoning can produce everything from fatigue and headaches to cognitive impairment and reproductive issues. During your walk-through of a property, look under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to confirm the pipes are strong, sturdy, and rust-free.
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  (#13) Poor Seals On Windows And Doors

  The seals around windows and doors should be airtight. Broken, aged, or failing sealant can dramatically alter the temperature of the interior of the unit. This can result in an uncomfortable indoor environment and higher heating and cooling bills. It can also cause windows and doors to rattle constantly, an annoyance that could grow maddening over time.

  If the seal is in particularly bad shape, pests like insects or even small rodents can squeeze their way in. 
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  (#14) White Chalk Along Baseboards

  Inspect the baseboards of a rental home carefully for the presence of a white, chalky substance. This could be a sign that the landlord or previous tenant tried (or is trying) to get rid of cockroaches with Borax or Diatomaceous Earth. The two substances are often used to kill roaches, and the little buggers tend to love the tight, dark environments of baseboards and trim.

  A line or dusting of while, chalky borax along the base of the wall is a popular home remedy. Even if you can't see any borax present, run your finger along the baseboards just to be sure. 
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  (#15) No Fire Extinguishers

  In addition to smoke detectors, some states also require landlords to provide working fire extinguishers to their rental properties. In California, for example, a landlord is not legally obliged to furnish individual fire extinguishers to tenants. There does, however, need to be a certain amount of extinguishers available in public areas like hallways, parking garages, and building lobbies.

  Check with your local fire safety council before touring prospective rentals and find out what the requirement is in your area. If there is a noticeable lack of extinguishers, especially in common areas, ask the landlord about it. 

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