Apartment hunting can really take its toll on you. It is a particularly tiring experience, and an emotional rollercoaster ride. On one hand, searching for an apartment that suits your needs and lifestyle is not easy. On the other hand the emotional weight of leaving behind your old home is another matter.

It’s been discussed before the hardship of trying to find an apartment in a crowded community. What steps one must take to plan in advance, what to do during the inspection, all that jazz, etc.

But do you know what you should know before moving in to your new apartment? Here’s the top 3…

1. Unit damages
Thing is the apartment owner can’t wait to get his or her apartment unit signed up to a tenant. Every day that goes by without a tenant is lost money. So before you move in, make sure you have inspected the apartment unit enough to check for visible signs of damage from the previous tenant.

For example, check the walls for holes in the bedroom or living room, look for cracked plaster and carpet stains. If the apartment comes with appliances, make sure they are working properly. Consult all of this with the apartment owner and reach and agreement that you shouldn’t be charged for these.

2. Appliances
The appliances that came with the apartment are the apartment owner’s property, not yours. So you should take good care of them for as long as you are renting the apartment.

Ask him or her to show you how to properly clean the garbage disposal, dishwasher, air conditioner, heater, refrigerator, oven, stove or any other appliance coming with the apartment. If there’s an emergency water switch you can use in case of a leak, ask about that as well.

3. Payment options
As an apartment tenant, you have options. You can ask the apartment owner if he or she accepts monthly payments or leasing contracts, or both. If it’s both, then you have to make a decision.

Monthly payment is exactly what it’s name says it is – you pay on a monthly basis for the right to occupy the apartment. The downside is the apartment owner has the right to change his or her policies anytime.

Leasing means you’ll be paying in advance for an extended period of time, usually six months at the least. It’s a lot of money, but the good news is the policies remain unchanged until the end of your leasing contract.

Take these three tips to heart and you should have no trouble moving in to your new apartment.