Do you rent? It's been 8 years and I've had 12 apartments. Apparently that's not enough because here I go again! Apartment renting I'm still a renter. Don't worry, I'm okay with it. I've had enough experience by now to know exactly what to look for. How to budget. What necessities I can't live without. Which neighbourhoods I like. I'm a confident gal now. The list What’s become even more important is what I don’t want. Here’s my top 6 list of things to avoid when apartment hunting. 1 Carpet It just loves holding onto dust, hair and dead skin. Not to mention sucking up stains.  Save yourself from the allergies or asthma and just avoid it. Some landlords will even remove it if you ask nicely. Or they will eventually. If you don’t rent it, that is. 2 Tiny ovens As a renter, I’m not looking to invest in the latest appliances, so the ones in the apartment need to be up-to-date. Older apartments still have those ancient, half-sized ovens. Can’t fit a cookie sheet? Can’t rent it. 3 Single sinks Ok, this isn't an automatic deal breaker, but size does matter. I like to cook. This requires lots of pots, pans, dishes, and utensils. If it isn't a double sink, it needs to be big. 4 Water damage Sounds obvious, but the nightmares of ceilings falling and walls crumbling are real. So very real. Don't let renovations and paint fool you. 5 Outlets I embrace the age of technology. And you can’t be tech chic when the batteries are dead. Make sure you have enough outlets and that they’re in spots you can reach them once the room is arranged. Power cords running along floorboards is so not chic. 6 Middle of nowhere I was raised in a city with public transportation. Convenient? Yes. Reliable? Not so much. I know how easy a delayed commute can ruin the start or end of my day, so I make it easy by being on a good, direct transit line. Not to mention nearby amenities. If I can’t walk to a grocery store or bank I’m probably not in the right spot. Do you rent or own your home?