Move-in and move-out inspection checklist for landlords
An inspection at the start and end of every tenancy is the only reliable way to settle questions about damage and the caution deposit. Use this room-by-room checklist, take dated photos, and get both signatures.
Before you start
- Inspect with the tenant present, in daylight.
- Use a phone that records the date on each photo or video.
- Test everything that switches on, opens, locks or flows.
- Write down meter readings and the number of keys handed over.
Room-by-room checklist
| Area | Check |
|---|---|
| Entrance and doors | Locks, keys, burglary proof, door frames, hinges |
| Living room | Walls and paint, ceiling (water stains), floor tiles, windows and nets, sockets, switches, fans, AC units |
| Kitchen | Cabinets, worktops, sink and taps, drainage, gas point, extractor, tiles |
| Bedrooms | Wardrobes, windows, sockets, lights, AC units, floor |
| Bathrooms | Toilet flush, sink, shower or bath, water heater, taps, leaks, tiles, ventilation |
| Utilities | Prepaid meter number and units, water supply (borehole, pump, tank), inverter or generator if included |
| Outside | Gate, fence, compound, drains, parking, roof (from the ground), soakaway |
| Furniture and appliances | List every item included, with its condition |
How to describe condition
Use simple, specific words: “new”, “good”, “fair” or “poor”, plus a note. “Small chip on left kitchen worktop” is useful; “kitchen OK” is not. Number your photos and refer to them in the notes.
Signing off
Both landlord and tenant sign and date each page. Give the tenant a copy and keep the original with the tenancy agreement. If the tenant spots something you missed within the first week, add it in writing and sign again.
At move-out
Use the same checklist and compare it line by line with the move-in record. Fair wear and tear, such as slightly faded paint or worn grout after a few years, is not damage. Broken fittings, holes in walls, burns and missing items usually are. Our caution deposit guide explains how to turn the comparison into a fair refund.
Mid-tenancy visits
A short visit once a year, with notice to the tenant, catches leaks and repairs before they become expensive. Plan it alongside the maintenance calendar.
Store the signed inventory and photos with the tenancy in Landlord Reminder, encrypted on your device.