Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist
Walk the property room by room on move-in day. Record the condition of every fixture, note any existing damage before it becomes your problem, and tick off what you've photographed — then export a signable report that protects your deposit at move-out.
- Front door, frame & locks
- Doorbell / intercom
- Hallway walls & paintwork
- Flooring / entrance mat
- Light fittings & switches
- Coat storage / built-ins
- Ceiling & cornicing
- Walls & paintwork
- Ceiling
- Flooring / carpet
- Windows & sills
- Curtains / blinds
- Radiator / heating
- Sockets & light switches
- Provided furniture
- Worktops & splashback
- Cabinets & drawers
- Sink & taps
- Oven & hob
- Extractor / cooker hood
- Fridge / freezer
- Washing machine / dishwasher
- Flooring
- Walls & tiling
- Walls & paintwork
- Ceiling
- Flooring / carpet
- Windows & sills
- Curtains / blinds
- Wardrobes / storage
- Radiator / heating
- Sockets & switches
- Provided bed / furniture
- Bath / shower
- Toilet & cistern
- Sink & taps
- Tiling & grout
- Sealant / silicone
- Extractor fan
- Mirror / cabinet
- Flooring
- Towel rail / heating
- Window frames & glass
- Window locks & handles
- Internal doors & handles
- External doors & locks
- Wall condition (marks, holes)
- Skirting boards
- Keys received (note number of sets)
- Carpets (stains, wear)
- Hard flooring (scratches, chips)
- Ceilings (cracks, water stains)
- Signs of damp or mould
- Loft / storage access
- Smoke alarms (tested)
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Fuse box / consumer unit
- Boiler & thermostat
- Meter readings (gas / electric / water)
- Garden / outdoor space
- Bins & storage
- Parking / garage
About the Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist
A move-in inspection — also called an inventory or condition report — is the record of exactly how a rental property looked on the day you got the keys. It is the single most important document for protecting your deposit, because at the end of the tenancy any deductions a landlord tries to make for damage are judged against the property's starting condition. If a scuffed wall, a chipped worktop, or a stained carpet was already there when you moved in and you logged it, you can't be charged to fix it later.
This checklist walks you through eight areas of a typical home — entrance and hallway, living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, windows/doors/walls, floors/ceilings, and utilities/safety/exterior — with sensible items in each so you never face a blank page. For every fixture you set a condition from New to Damaged, mark whether you took a photo of it, and jot a note describing any existing wear or damage. The panel at the top tracks how much of the property you've inspected and, crucially, how many pre-existing issues you've flagged. When you're done, "Download PDF" produces a clean, signable condition report for you and your landlord or agent to date and keep. Every rooms and item is editable, and everything is stored only in your browser — no account, nothing uploaded. This is distinct from a moving checklist (planning the move) or a move-out cleaning list (getting the deposit back at the end); use this one on the way in.
How to Use the Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist
- Do this before you move any belongings in, ideally on collection day — an empty property is far easier to inspect honestly.
- Enter the property address, your name(s), and the move-in date at the top so the details print onto your report.
- Go room by room. For each item, choose a condition from the dropdown — be honest and note anything less than perfect, as that protects you.
- Take a photo of every item you set a condition on — especially anything worn or damaged — and tap "Photo" to mark that it's captured. Keep the actual photos in your phone or a cloud folder.
- Use the notes field to describe existing damage precisely: "2cm chip on left worktop edge", "faint carpet stain by window", "sticky window lock in second bedroom".
- Remove any item that doesn't apply with the trash icon, add missing ones in the "Add an item" box, and rename or add whole rooms to match the property.
- Watch the top panel: aim to inspect every item, and note how many issues you've flagged before they can be blamed on you.
- Click "Download PDF" for a signable condition report. Have both you and the landlord or agent date and sign it, and each keep a copy. Use Export for a JSON backup you can reload later or on another device.
Tip: timestamped photos are the strongest evidence. Email a copy of the signed report and key photos to yourself on move-in day so there's a dated record you can't lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my inspection private?
Yes. Everything you enter is stored only in your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is uploaded to any server and there's no account. Clearing your browser data will erase it, so use Export to keep a JSON backup and Download PDF for a permanent copy.
Why does a move-in inspection protect my deposit?
At the end of a tenancy, a landlord can only charge you for damage that goes beyond "fair wear and tear" and that wasn't already there when you arrived. A dated condition report — signed by both sides — is the evidence that decides disputes. Without one, it's your word against theirs, and tenants usually lose.
Does the tool store my photos?
No — to stay lightweight and private it records conditions and notes only. The "Photo" toggle simply marks that you have captured an image of that item. Keep the actual photos in your phone's library or a cloud folder, and back them up somewhere you won't accidentally delete them.
How is this different from a move-out or cleaning checklist?
This one is for the day you move in — it captures the starting condition. A move-out cleaning checklist is about returning the property in good order to get your deposit back. Use both: inspect on the way in, and re-check against your own report on the way out.
Should the landlord be present?
It helps, because a jointly agreed and signed report is hardest to dispute. If they can't attend, complete it yourself, send them a copy promptly (email creates a timestamp), and ask them to confirm or note any disagreements in writing within a few days.
What does "fair wear and tear" mean?
It's the normal, gradual deterioration from everyday living — light carpet flattening, minor scuffs, faded paint. You can't be charged to put it right. Actual damage (burns, large stains, breakages) is different. Logging the starting condition makes the line between the two much clearer later.
Can I add, rename, or delete rooms and items?
Yes. Click a room's title to rename it, use the trash icon to delete a room or item, add items in the "Add an item" box, and tap "Add room" for spaces like a garden, garage, or en-suite. Your changes are saved automatically.
Should I record meter readings?
Yes — take gas, electric, and water readings on move-in day and jot them in the notes of the "Meter readings" item under Utilities. It stops you being billed for the previous tenant's usage and gives a clean starting point for your accounts.
Does it work offline?
Once the page has loaded it runs entirely in your browser, so you can complete the inspection with no signal — handy in a half-connected empty flat. Your entries save locally and are still there when you're back online.