Move-in inspection checklist for renters
Walk every room before you unpack, note the condition of each item, photograph anything already damaged, and get your landlord to sign the list. At move-out, that signed record is what separates damage that was already there from damage they can charge you for.
Move-in inspections come with Full Lease Protection — $19.99 one time for your lease. No subscription.
Do it yourself, then send it to your landlord to sign
Honestkey™ walks you through the inspection on your phone, keeps your photos with each item, and sends the finished report to your landlord for their signature.
- Step 1
Walk it room by room
Rate every item, add a note, and take a photo of anything already damaged — a stain, a chip, a crack, a sticky window.
- Step 2
Send it to your landlord to sign
Your landlord gets an email link and signs on their phone or computer. They don't need an account, and you get an email when it's signed.
- Step 3
Keep the signed record
The report stays with your lease, with both signatures and the date. At move-out, it shows what was already there before you moved in.
Move-in inspections come with Full Lease Protection — $19.99 one time for your lease. No subscription. It also unlocks the full report on your lease, the letters, and the move-out inspection.
The move-in checklist, room by room
131 items across 10 areas — the same list Honestkey™ walks you through. For each one, note whether it's in good shape, and photograph anything that isn't. Skip what your home doesn't have, and check every bedroom and bathroom, not just one.
Entrance10 items
- Front Door - Exterior
- Front Door - Interior
- Doorframe/Threshold
- Doorbell
- Lock/Deadbolt
- Peephole
- Weather Stripping
- Screen/Storm Door
- Entry Light
- Door Mat Area
Living Room11 items
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Flooring/Carpet
- Windows
- Blinds/Curtains
- Light Fixtures
- Electrical Outlets
- Light Switches
- HVAC Vents
- Ceiling Fan
- Fireplace
Kitchen25 items
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Flooring
- Countertops
- Backsplash
- Upper Cabinets
- Lower Cabinets
- Cabinet Hardware
- Sink
- Faucet
- Garbage Disposal
- Under-Sink Area
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Ice Maker
- Stove/Range
- Oven
- Range Hood/Vent
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Pantry
- Light Fixtures
- Electrical Outlets
- GFCI Outlets
- Window/Blinds
Bedroom13 items
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Flooring/Carpet
- Windows
- Blinds/Curtains
- Closet Door
- Closet Interior
- Closet Shelving/Rod
- Light Fixtures
- Electrical Outlets
- Light Switches
- Ceiling Fan
- HVAC Vents
Bathroom22 items
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Flooring
- Toilet
- Toilet Seat
- Sink/Vanity
- Faucet
- Water Pressure
- Drain Speed
- Mirror
- Medicine Cabinet
- Shower/Tub
- Shower Door/Curtain Rod
- Shower Head
- Tile Condition
- Towel Bars/Hooks
- Toilet Paper Holder
- Exhaust Fan
- Light Fixtures
- GFCI Outlets
- Under-Sink Area
- Caulking/Grout
Hallway8 items
- Walls
- Ceiling
- Flooring
- Light Fixtures
- Light Switches
- Smoke Detector
- Closet/Storage
- Trim/Baseboards
Laundry9 items
- Walls
- Flooring
- Washer Hookups
- Dryer Hookups
- Dryer Vent
- Utility Sink
- Cabinets/Shelving
- Light Fixtures
- Electrical Outlets
Balcony8 items
- Flooring/Surface
- Railings
- Ceiling/Overhang
- Lighting
- Sliding Door
- Door Lock
- Screen Door
- Drainage
Garage10 items
- Garage Door - Exterior
- Garage Door - Interior
- Garage Door Opener
- Remote Controls
- Walls
- Flooring/Concrete
- Light Fixtures
- Electrical Outlets
- Storage Shelving
- Entry Door to House
Whole home15 items
- Smoke Detectors
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Fire Extinguisher
- Thermostat
- Water Heater
- HVAC System
- HVAC Filter
- Electrical Panel
- Main Water Shutoff
- Overall Paint Condition
- Window Screens (General)
- Pest Evidence
- Keys Provided
- Garage Remotes
- Mailbox Key
How to document it so it holds up at move-out
Do it before you unpack
Empty rooms show everything. Once the couch is against the wall, nobody can see the scuff behind it.
Take a wide shot, then a close-up
The wide shot shows which wall or cabinet it is. The close-up shows the damage itself.
Write down the small things
A nail hole, a loose towel bar, a worn patch of carpet. Small things are what usually turn into deductions.
Test what you can't see
Run every faucet, flush every toilet, open every window, and turn on every burner and appliance. Note anything that doesn't work.
Count the keys and remotes
Write down how many keys, fobs, garage remotes and mailbox keys you were given. Missing keys are a common move-out charge.
Get it signed while it's fresh
Send the report to your landlord within your first few days. If your lease sets a deadline for returning a move-in checklist, meet it.
Deposit rules — how much a landlord can hold, how fast it must come back, and what they can deduct for — are set state by state. Look up your state's deposit law.
Frequently asked questions
Why should my landlord sign my move-in inspection?
Photos on your phone show what the unit looked like. A report your landlord has signed shows they agreed it looked that way. At move-out, that makes it much harder to charge you for damage that was already there.
What if my landlord won't sign it?
They don't have to, and some won't. You still keep your own signed, dated report with every photo, and the app shows that you sent it and whether they opened it. That is far better than no record at all.
Does a signed move-in inspection guarantee I get my deposit back?
No. A landlord can still deduct for unpaid rent and for damage that happened while you lived there, beyond normal wear and tear. What the signed report does is protect you from being charged for damage that was there before you moved in.
When should I do my move-in inspection?
On move-in day, before your furniture goes in. Some leases set a deadline for returning a move-in checklist — check yours — and either way, send it to your landlord within the first few days.
Does my landlord need a Honestkey™ account to sign?
No. They get an email with a link, review the report and the photos, and sign on their phone or computer. You get an email as soon as it's signed.
Is the Honestkey™ move-in inspection free?
No. Scanning your lease for a preview is free. The move-in inspection, sending it to your landlord to sign, and the move-out inspection come with Full Lease Protection — $19.99 one time for that lease, with no subscription.
Can I use this checklist without the app?
Yes. Walk each room with the list on this page, note the condition of every item, date your photos, and give your landlord a copy to sign. The app does the same thing with your photos, the signature and the dates kept together in one place.
Explore more tenant resources
- Tenant Laws by StateCompare deposits, late fees, notices, and rent control across every state
- Lease Clause LibraryWhat common (and risky) lease clauses really mean
- Lease GlossaryRental and lease terms explained in plain English
- Common Tenant QuestionsStraight answers to the questions renters ask most
- Free CalculatorsSecurity deposit, late fee, and rent affordability tools
- Letter TemplatesState-specific deposit, repair, and negotiation letters
- Is My Lease Legal?Spot illegal or unenforceable clauses and check your lease against state law