13 Apartment Red Flags to Watch Out For (Before You Sign That Lease)

Let’s be real for a second: apartment hunting can feel so exciting, especially when you’re finally ready to live on your own. 

But before you get too swept up in Pinterest mood boards and imagining your cozy reading nook, let’s talk about something important.

Because not every place you tour is going to be what it seems. And not every landlord is going to have your best interests in mind.

I’m not trying to scare you—I just want you to go in with eyes wide open. Because once you sign that lease, you’re locked in. 

And I don’t want you waking up six months from now, regretting it because of something you could have spotted on day one.

These are the red flags I genuinely want you to look for. 

The kind of stuff that’s easy to overlook when you’re excited, or when someone’s rushing you to “just sign already.”

Read them. Save them. Share them with a friend who’s hunting too. 

Because you deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the place you call home.

1. The Lease Seems Rushed or Vague

This is such a big one. If the landlord seems desperate to get you to sign right now, take a step back.

Watch for leases that are missing important details or feel weirdly vague about the rules. 

Maybe they won’t give you a copy to take home and review. Maybe they say “don’t worry about the details” or claim “it’s all standard” while brushing off your questions.

Honestly… That’s a huge red flag.

You should always have time to read the lease carefully—even better if you can show it to someone you trust. 

Don’t let anyone make you feel rushed, pressured, or embarrassed for wanting to understand exactly what you’re committing to.

Elle’s Tip: Always ask for a copy of the lease to read on your own. If they refuse? Walk away. No deal is so good that you should sign blindly.

2. Major Maintenance Issues Ignored

Look, a fresh coat of paint can hide a lot, but it won’t fix real problems. Don’t let nice staging or a pushy agent distract you from the essentials.

When you tour the place, look closely for things that should have been fixed but weren’t:

• Leaky faucets
• Moldy spots in the bathroom
• Big wall cracks
• Broken appliances

If you see obvious damage and the landlord brushes it off with “we’ll get to that later” or says “it’s no big deal,” be careful. If they don’t care enough to fix it before you sign, they definitely won’t care after they have your money.

Elle’s Tip: Test everything during your visit. Turn on taps. Flush toilets. Open every cabinet. Don’t be shy—you’re the one who’ll live there.

3. Bad Reviews or Shady Reputation

Don’t just trust what the landlord or agent tells you—do your homework.

These days, you can learn a lot with a quick search. Look up the property’s address, the management company, even the landlord’s name if you have it. 

You might find glowing reviews—or horror stories about unreturned deposits, ignored repairs, or safety issues.

It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being informed. 

If you see a pattern of complaints, believe it. People don’t usually go out of their way to write negative reviews unless it was really bad.

Elle’s Tip: Google it all. Check Yelp, Facebook, Reddit, and local forums. It only takes a few minutes to potentially save yourself months of headaches.

4. Signs of Pest Infestation

This one’s so easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the excitement of touring. But trust me, you do not want to share your new apartment with roaches, mice, or worse.

Check carefully for:

• Droppings in corners or cabinets
• Dead bugs along baseboards
• Traps tucked behind appliances
• Strong chemical smells that suggest recent fumigation

A landlord who knows there’s a problem might try to cover it up with a hasty spray. Don’t be afraid to open cabinets, peek under sinks, and really look.

Elle’s Tip: If you see anything that makes you pause, ask directly: “Have there been pest issues?” Watch how they answer. Evasive or defensive responses are your sign to be careful.

5. Security Issues

Your safety isn’t negotiable. Period.

When you tour, take a hard look at how secure the place really is. Are the locks solid? Do the doors have deadbolts? Are windows secure, or do they slide open easily from the outside?

If it’s an apartment building, check for things like:

• Broken or missing intercoms
• Unlocked exterior doors
• Dark, unlit hallways or parking areas

It’s easy to get distracted by a cute layout or big windows, but remember—if you don’t feel safe, you won’t sleep safe.

Elle’s Tip: Don’t just ask if the area is “safe.” Look it up. Check local crime maps online and visit at night to see how it feels after dark.

6. Too Good to Be True Rent

We all love a bargain—but sometimes there’s a reason it’s so cheap.

If the rent is way below average for the area, pause and ask why. Is there a problem they’re not telling you? A crime issue? Major maintenance needs? Or maybe they’re hoping a rock-bottom price will make you overlook something big.

Also, be careful if they pressure you to pay immediately to “lock it in.” That urgency can be a tactic to keep you from noticing the red flags.

Elle’s Tip: Compare local listings. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Trust your gut—if something feels off, there’s probably a reason.

7. Landlord Avoids Written Communication

This is a classic red flag that too many people shrug off.

If your landlord doesn’t want to put anything in writing, be careful. Maybe they insist on cash payments only (and won’t give receipts). 

Maybe they dodge emails and only want phone calls. Or they get weirdly vague when you ask them to confirm lease terms in writing.

Why is this a problem? Because if something goes wrong later, you’ll have no proof of what was agreed to. 

And good luck fighting that in court.

Elle’s Tip: Always insist on everything in writing—lease terms, payments, maintenance promises. If they refuse? That’s your sign to walk.

8. Weird Smells or Stains

Don’t let fresh paint or cute staging fool you—your nose knows.

If you smell mildew, mold, or mustiness, that could mean hidden water damage or ventilation issues. Smoke smells might be from previous tenants who smoked indoors, which can be tough to get out.

Look for:

• Water stains on ceilings or walls
• Discolored patches that might be mold
• Odd, chemical smells that suggest a cover-up

Mold isn’t just ugly—it’s a health hazard. And landlords don’t always rush to fix it once you’re locked in.

Elle’s Tip: Don’t be shy. Sniff around. If something smells weird, ask about it—and don’t accept vague answers.

9. Utility Confusion

This one can really bite you after you move in if you’re not careful.

If the landlord can’t clearly explain which utilities are included and which ones you’re responsible for, consider that a red flag. Surprise fees or vague promises like “Oh, it’s cheap” can turn into a monthly nightmare when the bills start rolling in.

Ask directly:

• Which utilities are included in rent?
• Which ones do I pay separately?
• What’s the average cost for those?

Elle’s Tip: Get it in writing. Don’t rely on verbal assurances. You don’t want to find out too late that you’re on the hook for everything.

10. Neighbors Warn You

Sometimes the best intel doesn’t come from the landlord—it comes from the people already living there.

If you run into neighbors while you’re touring, don’t be shy. A simple “Hey, how do you like living here?” can tell you so much.

Listen for red flags like:

• Complaints about pests
• Noise issues
• Bad management or unreturned security deposits
• Safety concerns in the area

Most people will be honest if you ask. And if multiple tenants warn you? Take it seriously.

Elle’s Tip: Always chat with at least one neighbor if you can. It’s like getting the real reviews before you sign.

11. Lease Terms Feel Predatory

This is one of those things that’s easy to miss if you don’t read carefully.

Watch out for lease clauses that seem overly harsh or one-sided:

• Huge penalties for breaking the lease early
• Automatic, sneaky renewals without clear notice
• Vague language about deposits or move-out requirements

If you don’t understand something in the lease, ask. And if they dodge your questions or get annoyed? Red flag.

You’re not being “difficult” by wanting to understand what you’re signing. You’re being smart.

Elle’s Tip: Take your time. Don’t sign until you’re 100% clear—and comfortable—with every single line.

12. No Proper Inspection or Move-In Checklist

This is one that bites people after they move in.

If the landlord doesn’t want to do a formal walkthrough with you before you sign or move in, that’s a huge red flag. Without documenting existing damage, guess who might get blamed (and charged) for it later?

A good landlord will want to do this with you—it protects both of you.

Elle’s Tip: Always do a thorough inspection and take photos of everything. Note even small things in writing. If they won’t sign off on it? Seriously consider walking away.

13. Bad Gut Feeling

This might be the most important one of all.

Sometimes, everything on paper looks fine, but something just feels off.

Maybe the landlord seems sketchy. Maybe the neighborhood feels unsafe when you actually stand there. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but your stomach is saying no.

Listen to that.

Your intuition is there for a reason. 

Don’t talk yourself out of it because you’re “being polite” or you’re afraid of missing out. No apartment is worth feeling unsafe or uneasy.

Elle’s Tip: Trust your gut. If you wouldn’t want your best friend living there, don’t sign that lease.

One Last Thing Before You Go

Listen, apartment hunting can be so exciting. I get it. 

It’s the promise of your own space, your own routines, your own little sanctuary. But that excitement shouldn’t cost you peace of mind later.

You deserve a place that’s not just cute or affordable, but safe, comfortable, and yours in the best way.

Don’t let anyone rush you. Don’t feel embarrassed about asking questions or taking your time. And don’t ignore that tiny voice in your head saying something’s off.

If you’re hunting now, save this list. Share it with a friend who’s looking too. Let’s all help each other find homes that feel good the moment we walk in the door.

And if you’ve seen other red flags I didn’t list? Drop them in the comments. 

The more we talk about this stuff, the better we can all watch out for each other.