Apartment viewing: What to consider? 8-point checklist

Your checklist for a successful apartment viewing

The search for your dream apartment is exciting. At the same time, the very things that are hardly visible in an advertisement often determine your future everyday life during the viewing. A stuck window, a damp basement, too few sockets or a narrow landing seem harmless on the day of the viewing. When you move in, they suddenly become expensive, difficult or simply impractical.

If you are wondering what is really important to consider when viewing an apartment, then you don't need a general theory. You need a clear process. You should know what you are measuring, what you are testing, what you are writing down immediately and what you are linking directly to your move planning.

That is exactly what this is all about. This checklist not only helps you to clearly identify defects. It also helps you prepare for your future move so that furniture, driveways, entrances and additional expenses are clarified early on. This saves nerves and prevents typical wrong decisions. If you like working with templates for your own organization, you will also find practicalExcel Checklisten Vorlagen für Handwerker that you can adapt as a structural aid.

Apply a systematic approach to the visit. Not by feeling, but room by room, detail by detail.

1. Document the floor plan and room dimensions

You are standing in a beautiful apartment, everything seems to fit, and two weeks later you fail to move in because of the stairwell. That's exactly what you're preventing here. If you don't take measurements during the inspection, you're making a decision based on suspicion.

Take a tape measure with you. Even better is a laser rangefinder or the measuring function on your smartphone. Never rely on advertisement information or your own judgment. Measure critical areas twice and write down the values ​​immediately.

What you should note on site

Create a simple sketch directly during the inspection. Not a work of art, but a reliable working basis for furnishing, transport and moving in.

• Measure living spaces completely:Note length, width, room height as well as niches, sloping ceilings and fixed projections.
• Access routes record:Measure entrance door, apartment door, room doors, elevator, staircase width and narrow curves.
• Check turning and carrying distances:A cupboard not only has to fit into the room, but also has to get there through all narrow spaces.
• Mark storage areas:Where are the wardrobes, shoe cabinets, strollers, boxes or cleaning utensils actually located?

The most important rule is: always measure the whole thing Way.

A bed can easily fit into the bedroom and still not come through the stairwell. A dining table can look good in the floor plan and later block the passage to the balcony door. Such mistakes cost time, money and nerves. Therefore, you should not only photograph rooms, but also door frames, corridors, the house entrance, the elevator and the driveway.

This documentation will help you in two ways. You can see early on whether your furniture realistically fits into the apartment. And you create a clear basis for moving planning with TIXPI, because door widths, floors, lift size and walking paths directly influence the effort.

A short series of photos per room from every corner is also practical. Complete the pictures with brief notes such as “Sofa possible on the north wall” or “Chest of drawers only with the door hinged on the left”. If you are planning renovation work before moving in, you should also record problematic wall surfaces and orientate yourself in advance onTipps zum Wände Streichen vor dem Umzug.

If possible, visit in good light. Then you can identify edges, narrow spaces and structural obstacles more quickly and measure more accurately. Anyone who only looks at the apartment as a floor space is missing the crucial point. The entire transport route counts for the move.

2. Check the condition of the walls, floors and ceilings

Damage to surfaces is one of the most common points of contention when moving in, using and moving out. If you identify defects before signing the contract and record them clearly, you will start with a better basis for negotiations and avoid later discussions.

Don't just look straight ahead. Walk slowly through each room and examine walls, ceilings, and floors from different angles. You often only see cracks, dents, swollen skirting boards, dents in the parquet or water stains on the ceiling when the light comes in from the side.

What you should specifically pay attention to

An experienced eye can quickly see whether these are normal signs of wear or more serious problems. You don't have to be a building expert. You just have to clearly distinguish and document them.

• Cracks in walls or ceilings:Fine hairline cracks are to be assessed differently than wide or recurring cracks.
• Traces of moisture:Look out for discoloration, blistering, musty smells and mold in corners.
• Check floor coverings:Walk consciously through the room. Is the floor creaking, springing or are individual areas damaged?
• Look behind furniture:If the apartment is still occupied, ask to look behind large cupboards or sofas, if possible.

If you want to renovate, it is also worth taking a realistic look at the effort. Small visual defects can often be easily classified, larger areas mean time and coordination. To prepare, you can use the practical SPLIT SPLIT. Record any visible damage in writing immediately. Everyone remembers things differently later.Tipps zum Wände StreichenPhotos only with consent

Here is an important point that many people ignore. If you are taking photos or technical recordings during the viewing, you should obtain the express consent of the landlord or agent beforehand. The Swiss context surrounding personal rights and house rules is relevant, as the guide from SPLIT highlights. This is particularly true if you want to record defects, details of the furnishings or floor plans. Ask short and clear questions. Preferably before the first photo. If you have consent, document damage with date and room reference, for example “living room, north wall, next to window”.

3. Testing windows, doors and locks

Windows and doors quickly tell you how carefully an apartment has been maintained. If you take things seriously when viewing an apartment, you don't check these elements casually, but systematically.Mobiliar zur WohnungsbesichtigungOpen and close every window yourself. Not just the window in the living room. Also the small bathroom window, the balcony door and the adjoining rooms. A stuck fitting or a warped frame is annoying in everyday life and particularly unpleasant when ventilating in winter.

Functional testing instead of visual inspection

Windows can look good at first glance and still be leaky. Doors can be cleanly painted and still not close properly. The key is the function.

Can the window be easily tilted and opened fully?

Test window movement:

Look for brittle rubber, drafts or moisture on the frame.

Check seals:

• Check the windows:Condensation or signs of moisture between the panes indicate problems
• Dichtungen prüfen:Key rotation, striking plate and latch function must run smoothly.
• Scheiben kontrollieren:Kondensation oder Feuchtigkeitszeichen zwischen den Scheiben deuten auf Probleme hin.
• Test the door lock:Schlüsseldrehung, Schliessblech und Fallenfunktion müssen sauber laufen.

Also pay attention to the condition of the frames. Damaged areas are not only visually relevant. They can also indicate previous moisture or unsatisfactory repairs. If you also want to take care of later care, concreteTipps zum Fenster Putzen will help because you can quickly see which damage is just dirt and which is real material problems.

Importance for security and moving

Ask for all keys, adjoining room keys and any special locks. Particularly in old buildings or renovated apartments, there are sometimes retrofitted systems where repeat orders or copies are not easy.

A typical case of moving: The main entrance is narrow, but the balcony door is large. Then it suddenly becomes relevant whether a bulky piece of furniture can possibly be brought in via an alternative access. That's exactly why you should view windows and doors not just as components, but also as part of your move-in logistics.

4. Check heating, ventilation and power supply

You are in an apartment, everything looks bright and well-kept. When you move in, you notice that the bedroom doesn't get warm, the bathroom stays damp after every shower, and there's an extension cord running across the room in your home office. Exactly such errors occur during inspections when the technology is only checked incidentally.

Check these points systematically and document them immediately. Photos of radiators, thermostats, ventilation outlets, switches and sockets not only help with the decision. They are also useful for moving planning because you can plan furniture, lamps, routers, workstations and equipment much more precisely later. If you move with a service like TIXPI, this information saves you questions and unnecessary improvisation on the day you move in.

The important questions on site

Ask directly about the heating system, the age of the system and the billing of the heating costs. What matters is what is practical in the apartment. Even heat, functioning thermostats and understandable additional costs.

Check whether every room can be heated sensibly. Interior bathrooms, bedrooms on exterior walls and living areas with large windows are the first to notice weaknesses. Also check whether there is a functioning ventilation or whether regular window ventilation is the only solution. This is relevant for the risk of mold, suitability for everyday use and furniture.

The same rule applies to electricity. Don't count sockets roughly, but evaluate their position. An apartment can have enough connections and still be inconvenient if they are in the wrong places.

How to check without idling

Go through room by room and record your observations on your cell phone:

• Testing radiators and thermostats:Are valves moving, radiators well-maintained and connections neat?
• Assess the ventilation:There are Is there a visible ventilation in the bathroom, toilet or reduit and is it noticeably removed?
• Check switches and sockets:Do light switches work properly and are there enough connections for everyday life?
• Equipment spaces think for yourself:Where are the desk, router, TV, coffee machine, vacuum cleaner station or washing machine?

A common mistake is to only look at the optics. Usability is what counts when moving in. If you already know where there is electricity and where it is not, plan lamp installation, furniture and cable routing neatly instead of hectically.

Don't just document defects. Document subsequent use.

A typical case: The kitchen seems big enough, but the sockets are located exactly where the refrigerator and stove are already provided. The dining table fits formally into the room, the toaster and coffee machine no longer make sense later. Such points are not only decided after the contract has been concluded. During the viewing, you decide whether the apartment fits into your everyday life and whether the move can be organized without unnecessary additional work.

5. Explore storage options and storage rooms

Cellars, attic, reduit and bicycle rooms often seem insignificant during the inspection. They quickly become central in everyday life. You can store tools, suitcases, winter tires, sports equipment, children's items or moving boxes there. Anyone who ignores this area often rents too little usable space.

Always take a personal look at additional areas. Don't be fobbed off with a verbal description. In practice, a “generous basement” can be low, damp or difficult to access.

Assess adjoining rooms correctly

The room alone is not enough. You need to know what condition it is in and how to get to it.

• Measure the actual size:A basement area is of little use if shelves cannot be placed sensibly due to slopes or cables.
• Moisture check:Look out for musty smells, mold stains and wet spots on the walls or floor.
• View ventilation and light:Dark, poorly ventilated rooms are unsuitable for sensitive items.
• Assess access:How wide is the door, how steep is the path, are there steps or heavy fire doors?

If you are expecting a move where not everything will finally reach its final destination on the same day this information is even more important. A basement room can be useful as a short-term interim solution. But it can also be unsuitable, for example when it is damp or there is limited access for larger items.

Think about when planning the move

Ask about access times and house rules. In some properties, basements or common rooms have limited use or are not intended for permanent temporary storage. This is what you should know before signing a contract.

A realistic scenario: You are moving from a larger apartment to a more compact apartment. A usable storage room will then determine whether your move in will be relaxed or whether you need to organize external storage at short notice. Therefore, note the dimensions, access and condition here as well as in the actual apartment.

6. Assess the neighborhood and building infrastructure

The apartment can be right. If the environment is not right, you will still be dissatisfied. Therefore, check not just the rooms, but the building and its immediate surroundings.

If possible, don't just come by once. Also look at the area outside of the viewing appointment, for example in the evening or early morning. Then you will quickly notice whether street noise, delivery traffic, trips to school or people going out are relevant to you.

More important than the first impression

The well-kept entrance to the house says little about the actual quality of living. Noises, accessibility, parking situation and general processes in the house are more important.

• Identify sources of noise:Main street, train line, inner courtyard with restaurants or heavily used playgrounds.
• Check connection:Proximity to bus, train, shopping, pharmacy or school.
• Assess parking:Are there visitor parking spaces, blue ones Zone, loading zones or narrow entrances?
• Assess house infrastructure:Lift size, bike room, laundry room, mailbox system, entrance area.

A good apartment in an impractical building remains impractical.

If you need a van or a larger vehicle for the move, accessibility is crucial. Is there a place to stop in front of the house? Does it have to be carried far? Is the access narrow or limited in time? Such points directly influence the effort and process.

The environment as part of your decision

If possible, speak briefly to residents or neighbors. Don’t generally ask “What’s it like here?” Ask specifically about noise, property management, laundry room regulations or parking situation. This is how you get useful answers.

A typical mistake: prospective buyers fall in love with the apartment and only later realize that the move-in day is significantly more complicated due to the lack of parking space, a narrow courtyard or long carrying routes. If you want to pay attention to something when viewing an apartment, you should always read the building from the perspective of the moving day.

7. Check water and wastewater systems and sanitary facilities

You're standing in the freshly cleaned bathroom, everything looks tidy, and five minutes later you notice a musty smell under the sink. It's exactly details like these that decide whether you can move in later or have to report damage in the first week.

Bathroom and kitchen cost money, time and nerves. Therefore, actively check these areas. Turn on each tap, let the water run briefly and test not just the appearance, but the function.

How to check correctly

A quick look is not enough. Many defects only become apparent during the drain.

• Test faucets:Check the water pressure, temperature and whether the water flows cleanly and evenly.
• Watch drains:Water must drain quickly. Gurgling, backing up or slow drainage indicate a problem.
• Check under the sink and sink:Look out for moisture, traces of limescale, swollen wood or the smell of mold.
• Flushing the toilet:Flush the drain more than once. Running water or weak pressure will cause trouble later.
• Check bathroom joints and silicone:Dark discoloration, cracks or crumbly areas indicate moisture problems.
• Ventilation assess:A bathroom without a good window or functioning ventilation quickly becomes a point of mold.

Also ask how the hot water is produced and how quickly it is available. This is not a minor matter. It influences everyday life, comfort and to some extent also the costs. If you generally want to deal with financial obligations related to renting in advance, read briefly, It will also help you plan your move-in. If you properly document moisture, narrow wet rooms or poorly placed connections, you can better plan furniture, washing machines and sensitive items.was eine Mietkaution konkret bedeutetTherefore, take photos of connections, sink cabinets, fittings and problematic areas. Write down what you notice right there. Such records are practical when you later organize the move, estimate transport volumes or use a service like TIXPI to determine which furniture should be particularly protected or in which order.

A typical mistake: interested parties see dark silicone joints, a slight smell under the sink or fluctuating water temperature and classify it as a minor issue. Don't do that. Especially in the bathroom and kitchen, small tips quickly become real additional costs, delays in moving in or damage to furniture and textiles.

8. Clarify rental agreement, additional costs and deposit

Machen Sie deshalb Fotos von Anschlüssen, Waschbeckenunterschränken, Armaturen und problematischen Stellen. Notieren Sie direkt vor Ort, was Ihnen auffällt. Solche Aufzeichnungen sind praktisch, wenn Sie später den Umzug organisieren, Transportvolumen einschätzen oder mit einem Service wie TIXPI festlegen, welche Möbel besonders geschützt oder in welcher Reihenfolge eingebracht werden sollen.

Ein typischer Fehler: Interessenten sehen dunkle Silikonfugen, leichten Geruch unter der Spüle oder schwankende Wassertemperatur und stufen das als Kleinigkeit ein. Tun Sie das nicht. Gerade in Bad und Küche werden kleine Hinweise schnell zu echten Zusatzkosten, Verzögerungen beim Einzug oder Schäden an Möbeln und Textilien.

8. Mietvertrag, Nebenkosten und Kaution klären

You're standing in an apartment, everything seems to be harmonious, and shortly afterwards you'll be given the confirmation. This is exactly when expensive mistakes happen. Not because of the kitchen or the floor, but because of unclear contractual clauses, misunderstood additional costs and a deposit that no one has clearly explained.

Prepare your documents completely before the appointment. This includes a debt collection statement, wage statements, tenant self-disclosure and accessible references. This means you can react quickly if the apartment is suitable. Your own test protocol is just as important. During the viewing, note down which contractual questions are open, which deadlines were mentioned and which promises the landlord or management made orally. This saves later discussions and helps with concrete moving planning.

What you need to clarify before making a commitment

Read the rental agreement completely. Check not only the rent amount, but also additional costs, notice periods, house rules, keeping animals, renovation obligations and the rules regarding the deposit. Let us explain to you which costs are flat-rate and which are billed separately. Also ask whether additional payments are to be expected and how the billing has been done so far.

If you want to better understand the process, read in advance,was eine Mietkaution konkret bedeutet. After that, you should understand three points without a gap: amount, deposit and repayment.

Another point is often overlooked. Clarify when you can actually get into the apartment and whether there is a gap between the start of the contract, handing over the keys and moving in. This is crucial for your move planning. If you don't document this data properly, organizing no-parking zones, transport, helpers or a service like TIXPI will come to nothing.

Rights when viewing and changing property

If you still live in a rented apartment, the planning often runs parallel in two apartments. Obligations then apply not only to the new contract, but also when moving out. According to Article 257h OR, tenants must generally allow viewings for maintenance, sales or re-letting. The dates must be announced and the landlord must be considerate. You don't just have to accept mere inspection visits without a reason, asSRF zum Mietrecht bei Wohnungsbesichtigungensummarizes.

Before signing the contract, clarify the transfer practically, not just formally.

Ask who draws up the handover protocol, when existing defects will be recorded and how keys, cellar compartments or common areas will be dealt with. Document narrow stairwells, sensitive floors and driveways directly together with the contract data. It is precisely this combination of contract review and clean on-site documentation that makes the move easier to plan. Not only do you recognize risks earlier, but you can organize the transport, time frame and protection requirements of your furniture much more precisely.

8-point comparison: apartment inspection

From viewing to moving in: your next step

A thorough inspection of the apartment is your best protection against unpleasant surprises. Not only do you recognize defects earlier, but you also assess the apartment as a whole. With everyday life, costs, access, technology and moving. This is exactly what separates a quick viewing from a smart decision.

Many mistakes occur not because interested parties are inattentive, but because they look at the apartment in isolation. They check the floor plan, but not the stairs. You see the beautiful soil, but not the moisture in the basement. They like the kitchen, but don't count the electrical outlets. Or they are happy about the confirmation and only read the contract carefully afterwards.

If you proceed systematically, the question “what to consider when viewing the apartment” becomes much easier. Measure everything relevant. Test functions yourself. Keep a clear record of defects. Ask about energy certificates, consumption values, additional rooms, house rules and additional costs. And think about move-in day while you're viewing. Door widths, access, elevator, parking options and carrying routes in particular determine the effort and stress later on.

It is also practical to organize your documents and notes immediately after each appointment. Store photos, sketches, questions and answers separately for each object. This means you don't compare apartments based on your gut feeling, but rather based on clear criteria. This is particularly helpful if several viewings take place in a short period of time.

As soon as you have made your decision, the actual moving planning begins. Then your notes will pay off straight away. Exact spatial dimensions help with furnishing. Documented access makes transport planning easier. Clarified basement and storage areas simplify furnishing. And a clearly understood rental agreement prevents misunderstandings at the start.

TIXPI can be a suitable option for transporting your furniture if you want to organize a move or furniture delivery in Switzerland. What is particularly relevant is the type of planning: transparent pricing logic, coordinated implementation and the possibility of including information about access, floor, elevator and furniture dimensions at an early stage. This is exactly the information you should collect during the viewing.

In the end, it's not about asking as many questions as possible during a viewing. It's about checking the right things in the right order. Then don't just move in anywhere. You move in prepared.

If you want to plan your move in straight away after the viewing, check outTIXPIas a practical solution for removals, furniture deliveries and coordinated transport in Switzerland. The more precise your information from the inspection is, the easier it will be to organize the process.