Move-In/Move-Out Checklist Template
A move-in/move-out checklist documents the exact condition of your property. You fill it out with the tenant. You both sign it. Now you have proof.
Generate yours in under 30 seconds. Download the PDF. Done.
Generate Your Checklist
Fill in your details. Click generate. Get your PDF.
What Your Checklist Must Document
Miss any of these and you lose your leverage in deposit disputes. Courts side with tenants when documentation is incomplete.
- Every room — Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, all of them
- Walls and floors — Note holes, stains, scratches, paint condition
- Appliances — Test everything, note any issues
- Fixtures — Faucets, lights, outlets, door handles
- Both signatures — Landlord and tenant must sign and date
Important: Take photos too. The checklist describes conditions in words. Photos show them. Use both. Timestamps prove when photos were taken.
5 Mistakes That Cost You the Deposit Dispute
Skipping the move-in inspection
If you don't document move-in condition, you can't prove damage happened during tenancy. Tenant wins by default.
Vague descriptions
"Good condition" means nothing in court. "Small scratch on bedroom door, 2 inches, lower left corner" holds up.
No tenant signature
Without the tenant's signature, they can claim they never agreed to the condition report. Get it signed at walkthrough.
Inspecting after tenant moves in
Once their stuff is in the unit, you can't see walls, floors, or pre-existing damage. Too late.
Not giving tenant a copy
Some states require you to provide a copy within days. If you don't, the entire checklist may be void.
Move-In Checklist Example
MOVE-IN INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Property: [Address]
Date: [Inspection Date]
Tenant: [Tenant Name]
KITCHEN
Walls: Good condition, no marks
Floor: Minor scratch near refrigerator (2")
Stove: Working, clean
Refrigerator: Working, small dent on right side
BATHROOM
Walls: Good condition
Floor: Tile chip near tub (1")
Toilet: Working
Sink: Slow drain — noted
Landlord Signature: _________________ Date: _______
Tenant Signature: _________________ Date: _______
This is a simplified example. The generator above creates a complete room-by-room checklist with all areas covered.
Why Generate Your Checklist with LandlordForms
Done in 30 seconds
Enter property address. Click generate. Print the PDF. Walk the unit with your tenant.
Nothing gets missed
Room-by-room organization means you won't forget to check bathrooms, closets, or storage areas.
Professional appearance
Clean PDF that looks official. Not a handwritten list on scrap paper that looks unprofessional.
Win deposit disputes
Clear documentation of move-in vs. move-out condition. Courts need evidence. This is your evidence.
Zero Risk. Zero Cost. Zero Obligation.
100% free forever. No account required. No credit card. No email capture. Just generate and download. Used by 10,000+ landlords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a move-in checklist legally required?
Some states require it to make deductions from security deposits. Even where not required, it's essential protection. Without one, you can't prove pre-existing vs. tenant damage.
When should I do the move-in inspection?
Before the tenant moves any belongings in. Once furniture and boxes are in the unit, you can't properly inspect walls, floors, or corners.
What if the tenant won't sign the checklist?
Document that they refused and note the date. Some states allow you to send them a copy and give them a deadline to respond. No response = agreement with your assessment.
Should I use the same form for move-in and move-out?
Yes. Use the move-in checklist at move-out and compare conditions side by side. This shows exactly what changed during the tenancy.
What counts as "normal wear and tear"?
Faded paint, minor carpet wear in traffic areas, small nail holes for pictures. Not normal: large holes, burns, stains, broken fixtures, excessive filth.
How long should I keep the checklist?
At least until the tenant's deposit is returned and any dispute period has passed. Many landlords keep them for 3-5 years for tax and legal purposes.
The $1,200 Problem: Why Paper Checklists Fail in Court
Average security deposit dispute costs landlords $1,200+ when they lose. Here's why you lose with paper checklists:
The Paper Checklist Process:
- Print your checklist template (2 minutes)
- Walk through unit with tenant, writing notes on each room (30 minutes)
- Try to describe damage in words: "Small stain on bedroom carpet, maybe 3 inches?" (Vague)
- Get tenant signature on checklist (2 minutes)
- File it away in a folder (1 minute)
- Months later at move-out, pull out the checklist (5 minutes to find it)
- Compare to current condition — but you have no photos (20 minutes of arguing with yourself)
- Tenant disputes damage: "That stain was there when I moved in!" (You have no proof)
- Small claims court: Judge sides with tenant because your written description isn't proof
Total: 1 hour of work for documentation that loses in court
• Win rate with paper checklist only: ~40%
• Win rate with photo documentation: ~85%
• Average lost deposit: $1,200 (typical 1-month security deposit)
Why paper checklists fail:
- →No photos. Tenant says damage was pre-existing. You can't prove it wasn't. You lose $1,200.
- →Vague descriptions. "Minor wall damage" doesn't hold up in court. What does "minor" mean? You lose.
- →Missing signatures. Tenant says they never agreed to the checklist. Without signature, it's worthless. You lose.
- →Can't find the checklist 18 months later when tenant moves out. No documentation = no deductions. You lose everything.
- →Wrote "good condition" for everything. No specifics. Tenant's attorney laughs at you in court. You lose.
The Photo Inspection Solution
Win every security deposit dispute with timestamped photo evidence.
- 20+ photos at move-in showing exact condition of every surface
- Photos automatically timestamped and stored permanently
- Side-by-side comparison: move-in photos vs move-out photos
- Tenant signature captured digitally on the inspection
- Court-ready PDF report with all photos and descriptions
- Judge sees photos. Case closed. You win.
Win rate jumps from 40% to 85%. That's $720+ saved per dispute on average.
One avoided dispute pays for 5+ years of our Pro plan ($19/month). Most landlords face 1 dispute every 2-3 years.
Paper checklist: hope for the best. Photo inspection: win with proof.
Stop Losing $1,200 Deposit Disputes
Photo inspections with timestamps, signatures, and court-ready PDFs. Win disputes with proof, not guesswork. Your tenant can't claim damage was pre-existing when you have 20 photos proving otherwise.
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