Questions to Ask When Touring an Apartment
Twenty questions in four groups — and, because we'd rather you ask them, our own answers next to each one.
Updated September 4, 2026
The short answer
The questions that matter most on an apartment tour are about total monthly cost (rent plus every recurring fee), the deposit and application fees, whether you're seeing the actual unityou'd rent, lease length, renewal, and early-termination terms, and how maintenanceis handled. Ask for the answers in writing before you pay a non-refundable application fee. Below are all twenty, grouped, with Cranbrook Forest's answers filled in so you can compare us against anywhere else you tour.
Why we published our own answers
Most tour-question lists are written by people who've never sat on the leasing side of the desk. We have — Cranbrook Forest is a 261-home community in North Houston, and these are the questions renters actually ask us, plus the ones we wish more of them asked. Where we have a firm number, it's here. Where the honest answer is “it depends on the unit,” we say that instead of guessing.
The money questions
Advertised rent is the starting point, not the number that hits your bank account. These five questions get you to the real figure.
1.What is the total monthly cost — rent plus every recurring fee?
Many communities add mandatory trash, pest, valet, package, or 'amenity' fees on top of rent. Ask for the all-in number, in writing.
Our answerRent is rent: $699–$1,179/mo depending on the floor plan. Utilities are paid by the resident and are not bundled into a mandatory fee. If you have pets, add $15/mo per pet.2.How much is the security deposit, and is any of it non-refundable?
Some properties quote a low 'deposit' that is really a non-refundable fee. The two are legally different in Texas.
Our answerA refundable $400 deposit on 1-bedrooms and townhomes, $500 on 2-bedrooms. Conditional approvals (credit 550–600) pay double. Full details in our deposit guide.3.What are the application and administrative fees, and are they refunded if I'm denied?
Application fees pay for screening and are almost never refundable. Admin fees vary wildly — from $0 to several hundred dollars.
Our answerThe application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome — that is standard everywhere. Before you pay it, check yourself against our published rental criteria (550 credit minimum, 3x rent in income) so you only apply once.4.Are there any move-in specials, and what are the conditions?
Specials often require a specific lease length or move-in window. Get the terms, not just the headline.
Our answerCurrent offers and their exact terms are always on our specials page — apply-by and move-in-by dates included, so nothing is revealed at signing.5.What does it cost to have a pet here?
Pet fees, pet deposits, and monthly pet rent are three different charges. Ask for all three and the breed/weight limits.
Our answerUp to 2 pets per home, a $250 non-refundable pet fee and $15/mo pet rent, each per pet. Breed restrictions apply — see the pet policy.
The home itself
You are touring one unit; you may be leasing a different one. These questions close that gap.
6.Is this the exact unit I'd be renting, or a model?
Model units are staged and often on the best floor with the best light. Ask to walk the actual available home, or at least the same floor plan on the same floor level.
Our answerWe show real available homes whenever one is ready, and our five floor plans (718–1,033 sq ft) are documented with walkthrough videos so you can compare layouts before and after your visit.7.Are there washer/dryer connections — or machines — in the unit?
Laundromat trips are a hidden weekly cost in time and quarters. Connections and included machines are different things.
Our answerEvery home has washer/dryer connections. Machines can be rented for select homes if you don't own a set.8.How old are the appliances, HVAC, and water heater?
Houston summers are hard on air conditioning. An older system means more service calls in August.
Our answerHomes have been renovated; ask the leasing team about the specific unit you're considering and they'll tell you straight.9.Can I test the water pressure, cell signal, and outlets during the tour?
Thirty seconds each. Run the shower, check your phone in the bedroom, and plug in a charger. Nobody minds.
Our answerPlease do — it's your home for the next year.10.Which direction do the windows face, and what's outside them?
West-facing windows in Houston mean hotter afternoons and higher electric bills. Also look for what's beyond the glass: parking lot, pool, dumpster, or trees.
Our answerIf orientation matters to you, say so — we'll show you more than one available home so you can pick the light you want.
The lease
The lease is where surprises hide. Five questions, asked before you apply, prevent almost all of them.
11.What lease lengths are offered, and does the rent change with the term?
Shorter terms usually cost more per month. Know the premium before you pick.
Our answerAsk the leasing office for current term options and pricing — they change with availability, and we'd rather quote you the real number than a stale one.12.What happens at renewal — how much notice, and how is the new rent set?
Most leases roll to month-to-month at a higher rate if you miss the notice window. Get the notice period in days.
Our answerRenewal offers go out well ahead of your lease end date, and your notice requirement is spelled out in the lease you sign — read that page before you initial it.13.What is the early-termination policy?
Jobs move. Know the buyout amount and notice period now, not when you need it.
Our answerThe exact terms are in the lease; the leasing team will walk you through them before you sign, not after.14.Who is on the lease, and can I add a roommate later?
Every adult occupant typically must apply and qualify. Adding someone mid-lease is usually possible but requires screening.
Our answerEvery adult who will live in the home applies. Household income is counted together toward the 3x rent rule, which helps roommates qualify.15.How long does approval take, and when can I actually move in?
A 'move-in ready' unit may still need paint or cleaning. Ask for the earliest date the keys can be in your hand.
Our answerDecisions typically come back in 1–3 business days when your paperwork is complete — see what slows approval down and the documents to bring.
The community
A great unit in a badly run community is still a bad year. These questions tell you how the property is actually managed.
16.How do I submit a maintenance request, and what's the typical response time?
Ask for the process (online portal? phone? in person?) and how emergencies are handled after hours.
Our answerRequests go through the resident portal, day or night, and you can track each request's status there. The property is managed by Flat Fee Landlord, a Houston property-management company — not an out-of-state owner.17.Is the community gated, and how does guest access work?
Gated access changes daily life for deliveries, guests, and food orders. Ask how it works in practice.
Our answerYes, Cranbrook Forest is a gated community.18.What's the parking situation — assigned, covered, or first-come?
Ask how many spaces per unit, whether guests have designated parking, and what covered parking costs.
Our answerAsk the leasing team about parking for the specific home you're considering; it varies by building location.19.Which amenities are included, and which cost extra?
Pools and gyms are usually included; storage, covered parking, and package lockers often aren't.
Our answerPool, fitness center, business center, playground, and picnic/BBQ area are included in rent — see amenities.20.Can I speak with a current resident, or read recent reviews?
Reviews from the last six months tell you more than the tour does. Look for how management responds, not just the star count.
Our answerOur Google reviews are public and linked from the homepage — read the recent ones, including the critical ones and our responses.
The one question to ask yourself
After the tour, before you apply: did anyone hesitate on the money questions? A community that publishes its rent, deposits, fees, and approval criteria has nothing to reveal at the signing table. That's the standard we hold ourselves to — every number above is also on our rental criteria and floor plans pages.
Common Questions
- How long should an apartment tour take?
- Plan on 30–45 minutes: 10 for the office conversation, 15–20 inside the home, and the rest walking the grounds. If you're rushed through in ten minutes, that's information too.
- Should I apply on the spot after a tour?
- Only if you already know you qualify and the total monthly cost is written down. Because application fees are non-refundable, it's smarter to review the criteria first — ours are published — and apply the same day from home if it's a fit.
- What should I bring to an apartment tour?
- Your phone (for photos, a video, and a signal check), a tape measure if you have large furniture, and this list. You don't need documents to tour — those come at application time.
- Can I tour on a weekend?
- Here, yes. The Cranbrook Forest office is open Mon–Fri 9AM–6PM and Sat 10AM–5PM; closed Sunday. Tours are available in English and Spanish.
Bring the List. We'll Have the Answers.
Tour Monday–Saturday, in English or Spanish. Rent from $699, deposits from $400.
Mon–Fri 9AM–6PM | Sat 10AM–5PM