Protects the tenant if a new owner or property manager is not aware of the home’s original condition.Gives the tenant the opportunity to understand how to better take care of the home, especially if the tenant has never rented before.Helps the tenant to identify open issues and items in need of repair.Provides proof of the property condition when the tenant moves in.May help to eliminate refundable security deposit disputes if part or all of the deposit is withheld to pay for damage beyond normal wear and tear.Used to determine damage caused by the tenant when the tenant eventually moves out.Describes pre-existing damage or issues so that the tenant is not held responsible.Identifies existing contents such as appliances and their condition.Documents property condition when the tenant moves in.Using a move in checklist for a rental property makes it easier for a landlord and a tenant to track the condition of the home and to distinguish between normal wear and tear and damage caused by the tenant. That way, the documents are easy to find when the tenant moves out. Once the move in checklist is completed, both the landlord and tenant sign the checklist, with each keeping a copy for their records.Īs a general business practice, a landlord may attach the signed move in checklist to the original lease agreement, file the originals and upload a copy to the cloud using the secure free document storage service from Stessa. Other times the landlord or manager may walk through the rental property with the tenant and fill out the checklist with the tenant.Ĭompleting the list together gives the landlord the chance to review the terms and conditions of the lease with the tenant one more time, and to answer any questions the tenant might have about how to take care of the home. Sometimes a move in checklist is completed by the new tenant and returned to the landlord or property managers within a few days of moving in. When completed correctly, a move in checklist may help to eliminate landlord-tenant disputes if the tenant security deposit is used to pay for damage beyond normal wear and tear.Ī move in checklist is a written form used by both a landlord and a tenant to document the condition and contents of the rental property when the tenant moves in and takes possession of the home.ĭepending on the real estate market and local customs, a move in checklist may also be known as:.Landlords may wish to fill out a move in checklist in the presence of the tenant, instead of asking the tenant to complete the form alone.
Both landlords and tenants may benefit from completing a move in checklist.A move in checklist is a written form used to document the condition of a rental property when a tenant moves in.Real estate investors purchase rental property with the goal of making money from the monthly rental income and appreciation in property value over the long term.Ī move in checklist is a tool investors use to help generate more consistent rental income from satisfied tenants, keep the rental property in good condition, and to help minimize tenant disputes if the security deposit is used to pay for damage caused by the tenant.