5 Rental Red Flags

It's usually advantageous to view a building at least twice - once during the day, and once in the evening. And to go even a step further, weekend and weekday viewings can shed completely different lights on a property. But property managers will sometimes be insistent that viewings only occur during certain times - after dark, during work hours, weekdays etc. While you may be limited to viewing the interior of a building during a certain time, there's no restriction that keeps you from doing some investigating on your own at other times throughout the week.

Some management companies allow tenants to conduct their own move-in inspections. You get to scour the suite and list every scratch, nick, ding and stain. Plus, you can account for any "mishaps" you may have while renting - like that scuff you plan on making while bringing your bed through the front door or the spot you're sure your cat will leave in the closet.

But while conducting the move-in inspection yourself helps you in the short-term, in the long-term you'll likely pay. After all, there's a great chance that the last tenant was given the same liberty, and who knows if the leaky pipes or the window that sticks were ever addressed.