Searching for a new apartment often means taking a series of apartment and rental space tours to ensure that you are getting the right place for your needs and budget. No one likes to search for a new place to live, and getting moved in and settled is always top priority. However, it is critical that you do not rush through the apartment tours to ensure you are moving into a comfortable space that fits your needs. So, if you are going on an apartment tour soon, look out for these red flags to avoid a bad investment, or even a rental scam.

One of the most glaring red flags that accompany apartment tours is that a property manager will rush you into signing a lease, often without a screening or credit check. As much as all of would love to move in that easily, this is a bright red flag that indicates a likely rental scam. Screenings, such as background checks, credit checks, and rental history checks, are all a big part of the property manager ensuring that you are going to be a reliable tenant. Once you find out that there are no screenings, walk away - it’ll cost you much more than a month’s rent.

They rush you through the apartment. Once you notice this, you’ll ask yourself: is there something they don’t want you to see? Too often, that’s why you are being rushed. You’ve studied the apartment advertisement well, and you’d notice if the photos were different than the actual apartment. Ask them to slow down and insist that you want to see all the rooms and living areas. If they refuse and continue to rush you toward signing a lease, leave the apartment tour immediately and continue on your search for 2 bedroom apts in Ventura.

An obvious check on the list of apartment tour red flags is that the area is unclean. Regardless if they are letting you see the entire apartment, an unclean, unkempt, or not well-maintained apartment is a glaring red flag in itself. This does not necessary mean you’ll be sucked into a rental scam, but you are certainly not investing in yourself by renting from a landlord who doesn’t care about your well-being. You aren’t a dollar sign, and an unclean apartment is only treating you as such.

While you are hunting for new apartments, every rental tour matters. Watch out for these critical red flags, and always follow your gut. If you feel as if something isn’t right or a “good deal” is too good to be true, listen to yourself.