Apartment hunters should know exactly what they’re signing up for by making sure there are no safety hazards or problems they may need to deal with later.

Looking for a decent apartment should take a good deal of time and attention, said Rick Monas, DeKalb assistant building and community services director. “It should be no different than looking for a house, the same deal of attention should g in,” he said.

Before anything else, fire safety should be looked at first, Monas said. By law, each unit should have one portable fire extinguisher mounted around the kitchen area and one smoke detector within 15 feet of each bedroom.

After looking over potential fire hazards, people should use their own judgement, Monas said.

“At that point, it’s pretty much basic, like mking sure the toilet flushes, seeing if the water runs, checking the windows, etc. When you see things, list them and point them out to the landlord.”

Prospective renters also should take pictures of the units before signing a lease, so they won’t be responsible for any defects after they move in, Monas said.

Taking a radio along is also a good idea because it helps to make sure the outlets work, as well as making sure they are all in decent places, he said.

In addition to checking safety features, people should ask about security deposits to see if they’re solely responsible if they have to get out of their lease, he said.

“They could also find out about pets, how many people are allowed in the room and where they are allowed to park at,” Monas said.

Tenants should keep in mind they are as resonsible as the landlord for the apartment’s condition after the lease is signed, Monas said.