# New Apartment Tour and Move-In Checklist (Free PDF) > What to check on a new-build tour and in the first 48 hours: sound ratings, HVAC at 99°F design temp, and the move-in condition form. URL: https://newapartmentsaustin.com/guides/new-apartment-move-in-checklist/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-25 Decision guide · Guides # New Apartment Tour and Move-In Checklist (With PDF) What to check on a new-build tour and in the first 48 hours: sound ratings, HVAC sized for a 99°F design day, finished amenities, and the move-in condition form. Written by New Austin Apartment Team [/about/#new-austin-apartment-team →](/about/#new-austin-apartment-team) · Reviewed by the team, Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC · Updated October 25, 2026 · 6 min read - Free to you, and your rent is the same either way - 144 new communities tracked (as of Oct 25, 2026) - Prices pulled every morning ![Clipboard checklist on a new quartz kitchen counter with floor-to-ceiling windows](/images/featured/clipboard-checklist-on-a-new-quartz-kitchen-counte.webp) - Licensed Texas brokerage Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 - Free to renters Communities pay the brokerage. Your rent is the same either way. - Prices pulled every morning Every card shows the date and time it was pulled - Score can't be bought Commission rates never affect score, sort, placement, or picks ## What should you check on a new apartment tour? A new building looks perfect in a model unit. Your job on a tour is to check the actual unit you’d lease, what’s finished, and the things that cost you money or sleep later. In a Travis County summer, for example, HVAC is sized to a 99°F design temperature, and a west-facing unit tests that sizing every afternoon. Here’s the checklist we use on routed tours [/ →](/) , with up to four buildings in one afternoon. ## Before the tour: ask for these - **The actual unit number**, floor, and view, not just the floor plan - **The special** in writing, with its end date and minimum lease term - **The written fee sheet**, including how water is billed [/guides/required-monthly-fees-new-apartments/ →](/guides/required-monthly-fees-new-apartments/) - **Amenity open dates** for the pool, gym, garage, and any unfinished phase If you can’t visit, ask for a live video walk of that unit. Our guide on renderings vs. the real unit [/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/ →](/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/) explains what a listing usually leaves out. ## On the tour: the unit | Check | What to look for | | --- | --- | | Unit vs. model | Same finish package, flooring, appliances, and window size? | | View and floor | What’s outside the window now, and what’s planned? | | Sound | Knock on shared walls; listen for neighbors, hallway, elevator, trash chute | | HVAC | Airflow at every vent; thermostat response; west-facing glass | | Water | Pressure and hot water time at the kitchen and bath | | Storage | Closet sizes, pantry, any storage unit charge | | Outlets and data | Where the internet enters; outlet placement for your desk | | Parking | Garage or surface, assigned or open, and the monthly charge | ![Thermostat and HVAC vent in a brand-new apartment](/images/content/close-up-of-a-thermostat-and-hvac-vent-in-a-brand-.webp) ## On the tour: sound ratings The 2024 International Building Code sets **STC 50** (airborne sound through walls and floors) and **IIC 50** (impact sound such as footsteps) as the minimum between units. Ask for the building’s figures; some exceed the minimum. On the tour, have someone talk in the next room or walk overhead if possible. Our guide are new apartments soundproof? [/guides/are-new-apartments-soundproof/ →](/guides/are-new-apartments-soundproof/) explains what the numbers mean. ## On the tour: the building - **Finished vs. not yet open.** Confirm open dates in writing for every amenity you care about. - **Construction next door.** Ask about phase construction and noise hours. - **Packages and trash.** Locker access, valet trash schedule, and any fee. - **Pets.** Dog park, wash station, and whether they’re open. - **Leasing office.** Hours, maintenance request process, and after-hours contact. ## Move-in day: the first 48 hours New units often have small finish items. The move-in condition form is your record. Within 48 hours, or the window your lease states: 1. **Photograph every room**, including floors, walls, counters, and appliance interiors, with timestamps. 2. **Run every fixture**: faucets, showers, dishwasher, washer and dryer, disposal. 3. **Test HVAC** on cool and heat, and note any room that lags. 4. **Check doors and windows**: locks, sliders, screens, weather seals. 5. **Look for caulk and paint gaps**, especially around tubs, counters, and trim. 6. **Submit the form** and keep a dated copy. > **Keep it in writing** > > A verbal “we’ll fix that” isn’t a record. Put every item on the form or in a maintenance request so it has a date. ## Days 7 and 30 After move-in we help you send a written punch list at day 7 and day 30, and we check your ledger to make sure the special posted. Our day 7 and day 30 punch list [/guides/new-apartment-punch-list/ →](/guides/new-apartment-punch-list/) guide covers common items and how to follow up. ## Get the PDF The printable version of this checklist fits on two pages: one for the tour, one for move-in. Ask on the form or by text and we’ll send it with your shortlist. If you’re comparing open buildings, see lease-up buildings [/lease-up-apartments/ →](/lease-up-apartments/) for what’s finished at each one. See it on the board Every new building priced on net effective, required fees, and year two, pulled every morning. Open the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Why it goes wrong ## Why the advertised price isn't what you'll pay Problem 1 ### Specials don't compare 10.8 weeks free was the board median on Oct 25, 2026. On 12 months that is about 21% off base, spread across the year. Problem 2 ### Fees sit outside the rent Required fees ran $78-$228 a month at 12 board buildings (median $120.50), about $1,446 a year outside headline rent. Problem 3 ### Year two jumps Renewals price from base rent. At the median special, year two is about 26% higher at the same base. So we show net effective, true monthly, and year two on every building before you tour. Straight answers ## Questions about this topic Direct answer first, then the source and date. If your question isn't here, ask us on the form or by text. ### How long do I have to report move-in condition? Use the move-in condition form within the first 48 hours, or the window your lease states, and keep a dated copy with photos. It protects your deposit and starts your punch list. ### What sound rating should a new apartment have? The 2024 IBC sets STC 50 for airborne sound and IIC 50 for impact sound as the minimum between units. Some buildings exceed it; ask for the building's figures. ### Is there a printable version of this checklist? Yes. Ask on the form or by text and we'll send the PDF version with your shortlist. ### Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. We confirm both before you sign, and the community sets them. Keep reading ## More guides on this topic ![Blue painter's tape marking a finish touch-up on a new wall](/images/featured/blue-painter-tape-marking-a-small-finish-touch-up-.webp) ### The Day 7 and Day 30 Punch List in a New Apartment Common new-build defects, the 48-hour move-in form, and written punch lists at day 7 and day 30, followed up in writing. [The Day 7 and Day 30 Punch List in a New Apartment →](/guides/new-apartment-punch-list/) ![Hands with a calculator and notebook at a sunlit desk in a new apartment](/images/featured/hands-with-a-calculator-and-notebook-at-a-sunlit-d.webp) ### How to Set an All-In Budget for a New Apartment Turn a monthly budget into net effective plus fees plus utilities, then check move-in cash, 24-month totals, and year two before you tour. [How to Set an All-In Budget for a New Apartment →](/guides/all-in-apartment-budget/) The 60-second form ## Tell us what you need. We make the calls. You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do, and confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours. 1. 1 Same day We call or text during hours with a shortlist plan. 2. 2 In writing Unit, special, end date, and fee sheet confirmed before you tour. 3. 3 Year two shown Every pick shows year two at 0% and +3%, plus a 24-month total. Prefer to talk? Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) , Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM · Sat 9 AM-6 PM · Sun 12-5 PM. Free, same day during hours ## Get my shortlist Step 1 of 3 ### Thanks, we have your details. We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. Related pages ## Related board views Board view ### New Build Board Every in-scope community on one map, with base rent, the special, net effective, true monthly, and year two pulled every morning. Open New Build Board→ [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Board view ### Specials Specials confirmed within the last 7 days, each decoded to net effective and year two, with base rent shown beside every discount. Open Specials→ [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) Board view ### Lease-Ups Buildings already open and filling, sorted by stage and fill estimate, with what's finished and what the special does to your monthly cost. Open Lease-Ups→ [/lease-up-apartments/ →](/lease-up-apartments/) ![](/images/misc/dusk-view-of-new-limestone-and-glass-apartment-tow.webp) Free to you, and your rent is the same either way ## You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do. Send us your move date and all-in budget. We confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours, then show you year two before you tour. Get my shortlist → [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.