Look at surroundings: landscaping (or lack thereof), condition of the building, parking lot and even the immediate neighborhood to see if you would feel comfortable and safe there. Ask for references, people who've rented there before who might be willing to talk about their experiences. It's worth a shot to ask about average monthly bills for utilities and the like, although the landlord will more than likely not know, so that is where the references come in handy, or you can just call the utility company and ask. Ask about pet policies whether or not you have one just so you know what you are getting into regarding other peoples' pets. They need to show you the apartment into which you will be moving, not a "model" apartment or anything like that. Those are kept cleaner for obvious reasons. If they can't get ahold of the tenants who are there currently, then they should be courteous enough to reschedule your visit and if not, keep looking. Most of all, use your instinct: if something at all feels off in any way, move on. Don't sacrifice your safety or your family's safety by trying to save a few bucks unless you really have no other choice. These are just a few tips I've picked up. I'm not a renting "pro" but I hope these are some help to you.