Move-in inspection checklist for renters

Do this walk-through in your first day or two, before the boxes come in. A move-in inspection checklist gives you a dated record of the condition you received.

Updated October 19, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules about rentals differ by state, province and city, so check yours.

Walk the whole place and photograph it as it is. This clip: the side of a house after a branch came down.

Every room

Walls and ceilings: holes, cracks, stains, peeling paint.
Floors: scratches, stains, loose boards, damaged tile, carpet wear.
Windows and screens: cracks, stuck frames, torn screens, working locks.
Doors: closing, locking, damaged edges, working peepholes.
Outlets and switches: plates in place, switches working, any scorch marks.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: present, and press the test button.
Light fixtures and ceiling fans: working, bulbs in.

Kitchen

Run every tap and check for drips and slow drains.
Open the oven, burners, fridge and dishwasher and photograph the inside.
Cabinet doors and drawers: hinges, handles, water damage under the sink.
Counters: chips, burns, stains.

Bathroom

Flush the toilet and check for rocking or leaks at the base.
Run the shower and sink, and check water pressure and drainage.
Tile and caulk: cracks, gaps, discoloration, any signs of mold.
Exhaust fan: does it run?

Heating, cooling and the rest

Run the heat and the air conditioning.
Check the water heater area and the electrical panel for rust, leaks or damage, without opening anything that is not yours to open.
Note any smell, such as damp, smoke or gas. A gas smell is an emergency: see what to do about a leak, mold, a gas smell or electrical problems.
Outside: entry, steps, fences, gutters, trees close to the building, parking area.

Photograph, date and send

For each item, take a wide photo and a close one. Write a short list of the problems you found and email it to your landlord with the photos soon after move-in. Keep the sent email. Then keep everything together for your deposit photos.

In Dingkeep. Open Dingkeep, photograph each problem, and tap It showed up to get a dated note you can send your landlord with the photo attached.

Dingkeep: Renter Photo Record. iPhone, United States and Canada.

Questions renters ask

How long should a move-in inspection take?

For an apartment, about 30 to 60 minutes. For a house, allow longer so you can check every room, the yard and the outside walls.

What if my landlord gives me a condition form?

Fill it in carefully, add what you found that the form misses, and keep a copy with your photos.

What if I find a problem after the first week?

Report it in writing as soon as you find it, with a dated photo. Say when you first noticed it.