Open the refrigerator and freezer doors to make sure you're looking at a frost-free freezer. Check out phone jacks and electrical outlets to ensure you'll have enough for all your needs. Not checking for insects. Herrold suggests that renters investigate beneath the sink and other areas for tiny beads smaller than poppy seeds. Not asking about making changes.
Many renters like to paint over an apartment's color scheme once they move in.
If you're one of them, find out before you sign the lease whether that's acceptable. If not, you could pay for the changes upon move out. If you go way off the norm, we've got to return it to the standard, and you'll pay for that. Not buying renter's insurance. OK, it's not part of the apartment selection process.