The tour is exciting. The listing photos looked great. The landlord seems normal. And then you move in and find out the heat doesn't work, the neighbors are a nightmare, and the landlord ghosts you for maintenance requests. Here's how to avoid all of that.
before you even schedule a tour
- Look up the property address in your county auditor's records -- confirm who actually owns it and whether they're current on property taxes. Delinquent landlords are a real red flag.
- Search the landlord's name + "eviction" or "court" -- public court records can show a history of evictions filed, which tells you how they handle disputes.
- Check how long the listing has been up. A unit sitting for 30+ days in a normal market usually means something's wrong -- price, condition, or the landlord themselves.
during the tour: what to actually look at
- Water pressure and hot water -- run the shower and check both. Ask how old the water heater is.
- Windows and weatherstripping -- drafty windows mean a brutal heating bill in Ohio winters.
- Signs of moisture -- look in closets, under sinks, around window frames. Water stains or musty smell = past (or present) water damage.
- Outlets and electrical -- plug in your phone charger and test a few. Two-prong outlets in an older building can mean outdated wiring.
- Cell service and internet options -- ask what providers service the building and actually check your signal in the unit.
- The actual neighbors -- tour on a weekday evening if possible. Who's coming and going? How loud is it?
- Parking and storage -- confirm exactly what's included. Nothing worse than assuming parking was included.
- Heat source and who pays -- is it gas or electric? Baseboard heat or central air? Is heat included in rent or separate? This matters enormously.
questions to ask the landlord directly
- Why is the current tenant leaving? (Vague answers are a yellow flag)
- How do I submit maintenance requests, and what's the typical response time?
- Have there been any pest issues in this unit or building?
- What's the lease renewal process and how much notice do you give before raising rent?
- Are utilities separately metered or shared with other units?
before you sign the lease
- Read the whole thing. Every page. Flag anything that sounds like it waives your rights as a tenant -- some of those clauses aren't enforceable in Ohio but they're still red flags about the landlord.
- Do a move-in checklist walkthrough with the landlord and document everything with photos and video. Email the landlord a copy immediately after. This is your protection against false damage claims when you move out.
- Get everything that was promised in writing -- parking, storage, appliances included, pet approval, any repairs they said they'd make. If it's not in the lease, it doesn't exist.