Hey, your post is a very good idea. It's true you re not very careful when you rent your first flat. For instance I made an offer for the third one I visited. It was quite charming with original parquet and bricks on the wall. It turns out that the floor has holes everywhere and let rats come, the isolation was shit ( oven in summer, freezing in winter). I was lucky the owner was honnest with us and fixed everything that wasn't our fault. Your article is very complete. I would only add two details : the most important is to be patient and not make a decision after two visits (there is a lot of places). And if possible : do your visits with someone more experimented (parents, elder brother or sister) they will evidence points you don't realize and bring another point of view ! I would enjoy to read your article about roommates;) bye