Move-In Walk Though and Checklist

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on August 18, 2009 under Landlord Paperwork and Forms, Landlord Tips | Be the First to Comment

It’s vital to have a move-in checklist for each of your rental properties. It’s even more important to personally conduct a pre-move-in walk through with each new tenant. Do this before the tenant moves in!

Your move-in checklist documents the condition of each room, along with its contents. When the tenant moves out, you’ll want to conduct another walk through to compare the condition and contents of each room with the move-in checklist. Then, you can determine any damages that the security deposit will cover.

Here’s what you should include on the move-in checklist:

Kitchen

• Condition of floors, walls, ceiling
• Number, condition, and description of light fixtures
• Number, condition, and description of plumbing fixtures
• Number, condition, description, and serial numbers of appliances
• Condition and description of sink
• Stove: number, condition, and description of racks, burners, broilers, hood
• Number and description of ice trays or condition of icemaker
• Condition and description of cabinets, drawers, knobs
• Condition and description of countertops
• Condition and description of doors, doorknobs, hinges, windows, windowsills, locks

Living Room, Dining Room, Bedrooms

• Condition and description of floors, walls, ceiling
• Number, condition, and description of light fixtures
• Condition and description of doors, closet doors, closet interiors, doorknobs, hinges, windows, windowsills, locks
• Condition and Description of thermostat

Bathrooms

• Condition of floors, walls, tub surround, ceiling
• Number, condition, and description of light fixtures
• Number, condition, and description of built-in fixtures: towel racks, soap holders, etc.
• Number, condition, and description of plumbing fixtures: faucet, toilet, sink
• Condition and description of tub and/or shower and caulking
• Condition and description of cabinets, drawers, knobs
• Condition and description of countertops
• Condition and description of closets, doors, doorknobs, hinges, windows, windowsills, locks

On each item, note any scratches, dents, stains, or malfunctioning components. Take photos of every room and everything in it. Note how many keys the tenant received.

And most important: both the landlord and the tenant need to initial each item and sign and date the bottom of the form. This is for the tenant’s protection, as well we yours. When move-out day comes, you’ll both have thorough documentation of each room and everything in it—which will facilitate the return of the security deposit.