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It's a simple step that generally takes place before a lease is finalized and an apartment's signed over to the renter, but if it's overlooked, it can cost you a bundle. Before you get into a rental agreement, it's an absolute must to insist on a walk-through. This may seem like a pain, but in the long run you'll thank yourself for doing so as this little document can help ward off disputes later. A walk through is a standard requirement in most apartment complexes, condos and with reputable leasing agents. But sometimes this step is forgetting in the shuffle. Don't let this be the case. The simple fact of the matter is the walk through is a process that protects both the renter and the leasing agent from trouble down the road. By clearly agreeing on the property's condition upon turn over to the renter, both parties know where they stand in regard to any damage that may happen to a property over the course of a lease. To move in without a walk through completed could result in you being charged for damage a previous renter should be responsible for. It also protects the leasing agent by letting them know the full condition of the rental and can help them see any trouble spots they need to address for you before something happens. Most walk-throughs involve a fairly basic checklist where imperfections in the property can be listed. The list will or should include every room in the rental and its features such as windows, appliances, counters, carpets and so on. In general a walk through is a pretty simple process. A potential renter and the leasing agent simply inspect the rental prior to turning the keys over. Both parties generally sign off on a walk through checklist and both keep copies. The checklist should include such things as: * Condition of the kitchen. This means cabinets, counters, appliances, walls, floors, lighting fixtures and more. If there's a noticeable functional problem or even a cosmetic one, write it down. * Condition of the bathroom. Walls, floors, ceiling, fixtures and cabinets should all be inspected here as well. * Other rooms. Bedrooms, the living room, dining room and so on pretty much involve walls, floors, ceiling and windows. Check out fixtures, too. As you do a walk through make sure to write everything down, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. If there's a minor crack in a counter, for example, it could turn into a big one over the course of a rental. If the crack's recorded, you likely won't be held responsible for damages since the crack's extension is now wear and tear over time. Protect yourself from problems down the road by insisting on a walk through before signing a rental agreement. This simple document generally only take a few minutes for both the leasing agent and the renter to fill out, but it can save nightmares and lots of money down the road.
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