Move-In Inspection Checklist for Landlords

A move-in inspection gives landlords and tenants a shared record of a property's condition before the lease begins. The goal is simple: document clearly, stay consistent, and keep everything easy to find later.

Why move-in documentation matters

Good documentation helps reduce confusion at move-out. It shows the condition of the home before the tenant lived there, supports fair deposit decisions, and creates a calm reference point if questions come up months later.

The best record is made before anyone moves in, while the property is empty, clean, and easy to photograph.

What to document before the tenant moves in

Walk through the property before handing over keys. Capture the condition of every room, appliance, fixture, surface, and outdoor area included in the lease.

Walls, ceilings, floors, trim, doors, and windows
Kitchen appliances, cabinets, counters, sink, and backsplash
Bathroom tile, tub, shower, vanity, toilet, mirrors, and fixtures
Smoke detectors, locks, lights, outlets, thermostats, and vents
Garage, basement, laundry area, yard, porch, deck, and exterior entry points
Existing wear, repairs, stains, cracks, dents, or missing items

Photos landlords should take

Take wide photos for context and close photos for detail. A clear photo sequence makes the record much easier to understand later.

One wide photo from each corner of every room
Close-ups of existing marks, chips, stains, or damage
Appliance interiors, model labels, and visible condition
Floors in natural light, especially high-traffic areas
Windows, blinds, screens, doors, locks, and keys
Utility meters or relevant equipment, when appropriate

Room-by-room checklist

Entry and living areas

Photograph doors, locks, flooring, walls, trim, windows, lighting, and built-ins.

Kitchen

Document appliances, counters, cabinets, sink, disposal, floors, and visible wear.

Bedrooms

Capture walls, closets, windows, flooring, doors, hardware, and ceiling fixtures.

Bathrooms

Record tile, grout, tub, shower, toilet, vanity, mirrors, ventilation, and leaks.

Laundry and utility areas

Note machines, hookups, water heater, HVAC access, floors, vents, and shutoffs.

Exterior spaces

Photograph porch, deck, yard, driveway, garage, siding, gates, and exterior doors.

Common mistakes to avoid

Taking photos after the tenant has already moved belongings in
Only photographing damage instead of the full room condition
Skipping closets, appliances, garages, or exterior areas
Using blurry photos or extreme close-ups without context
Keeping photos separate from notes, dates, rooms, and reports

How dwellur helps keep the record organized

dwellur helps homeowners and landlords keep property photos, notes, rooms, repairs, and reports in one organized place.

Instead of digging through a camera roll or scattered folders, you can keep the home record tied to the right room, issue, inspection, or repair.