Landlord Move-In Inspection Checklist: Room-by-Room

Your landlord move-in inspection is the baseline for every later argument about security deposit deductions. If you skip rooms, skip photos, or skip signatures where required, you are effectively volunteering to return money at move-out regardless of actual damage. This move-in inspection checklist is designed to be used on paper, in a spreadsheet, or in software—the pattern matters more than the tool.

Tip: on desktop, use your browser’s print dialog to save this page as a PDF for a quick printable move-in inspection checklist without designing your own form.

Before You Open the Front Door

• Confirm the lease start date, keys issued, and who attends (landlord, tenant, agent).
• Record utility meter reads if the tenant will pay utilities from day one; photograph dials or screens.
• Verify smoke/CO devices required by local fire code and your lease; do not guess—if they are missing, note and fix before or at lease signing as your policy requires.

Jurisdiction rules vary. For a legal overlay, pair this checklist with our guides: California, Texas, Ontario, and British Columbia inspection articles.

Every Room: Core Fields

For each room below, capture: (1) a wide shot from the doorway, (2) each wall or major surface with existing marks, (3) floor condition, (4) windows and treatments, (5) ceiling and lights, (6) any fixture or appliance that comes with the unit. Note “pre-existing:” explicitly next to dents, stains, or wear—your future self will not remember.

Living Areas and Hallways

• Walls, baseboards, and corners: scuffs, nail holes, patch jobs, prior paint color mismatches.
• Floor: carpet wear paths, hard surface scratches, transition strips.
• Windows and doors: open/close, locks, screens, seals, any cracked glass.
• Closets and storage: shelving, rod condition, any odor source.

Kitchen

• Cabinets and drawers: alignment, water damage under sink, interior cleanliness.
• Countertops and backsplash: chips, stains, caulk.
• Appliances in lease: each door opened; interior of oven, fridge, and dishwasher; model/serial for reference.
• Sink, disposal, and accessible plumbing: leaks, drainage speed, under-sink photo.

Bathrooms

• Tub, shower, surround, and grout: mold, caulk, chips, water stains on ceiling below upper baths.
• Vanity, toilet, and hardware: wobble, leaks, seat condition.
• Vent fan and lighting: operable, clean.
• Mirrors and glass: silvering loss, cracks.

Bedrooms

• Match the same wall/floor/window/ceiling list as living areas; label each bedroom clearly in filenames or report sections.
• If closets are small or awkward, add an extra wide shot to show full floor area.

Laundry, Mechanical, and Exterior (If Leased)

• Laundry hookups or machines: what is provided; test cycles if applicable.
• HVAC filters and thermostat: set points explained; any odd noises noted.
• Water heater and panel access: access clear; any visible rust or past leaks in pan.
• Exterior, yard, parking, and garage (if in lease): gates, handrails, driveway cracks, reserved stall numbers, mailbox keys.

After the Walk-Through

1. Compile photos and notes into a single move-in inspection report the same day.
2. Invite the tenant to sign, or follow your jurisdiction’s rule for written objections; see Washington’s checklist example for a statutory “written checklist” state.
3. File a copy with your property records. Set a calendar reminder to pull this report for move-out.

Use the security deposit return deadline calculator as soon as you have a target move-out date; compliance windows often start on vacancy or key return, not the day you remember the statute.

Frequently Asked Questions