roofy
Post
Checklist · Works anywhere

Move-in inspection checklist

A room-by-room condition report for the landlord and tenant to fill in together at move-in, with meter readings, keys and safety checks, signed by both.

Free · no account needed · Updated

Fill it in online Use in Roofy

Template is informational. Review it, and get legal advice if you need it.

Fill it in online

What you type stays in this browser tab and is never sent to Roofy. Print it, or save it as a PDF, when you're done.

An agreement between you, not a legal rule. Seven days is a common choice.

Rooms

Entry and hallway0 of 5 filled
Front door and lock
Walls
Floor
Ceiling
Lights and switches
Living room0 of 7 filled
Walls
Floor
Ceiling
Windows and screens
Blinds or curtains
Lights and switches
Power outlets
Kitchen0 of 9 filled
Walls
Floor
Cabinets and counters
Sink and taps
Stove or cooker
Oven
Fridge
Other appliances
Windows
Bedroom 10 of 7 filled
Walls
Floor
Ceiling
Windows
Door
Wardrobe or closet
Lights and outlets
Bedroom 20 of 7 filled
Walls
Floor
Ceiling
Windows
Door
Wardrobe or closet
Lights and outlets
Bathroom0 of 7 filled
Walls and tiles
Floor
Toilet
Sink and taps
Shower or bath
Ventilation
Mirror and cabinet
Outside and other0 of 6 filled
Balcony, yard or garden
Parking
Storage
Water heater
Heating or air conditioning
Laundry

Furniture and extras (if furnished)

Item 1
Item 2
Item 3

Meters and keys

Electricity
Gas
Water
Front door
Building or gate
Mailbox
Fobs or cards
Remotes
Safety and basics

Why it matters

Most deposit disputes come down to one question: was the damage there before? A condition report that both of you signed on the first day, backed by dated photos, answers it. It protects the tenant from paying for old damage and the landlord from losing money for new damage.

How to do the inspection

  1. 1

    Walk through together

    Do it before the tenant moves furniture in, in daylight if you can. Go room by room in the order of this form.
  2. 2

    Rate and describe

    Pick a condition for each item and write what you see: “2 cm scratch on the left of the door”, not just “fair”.
  3. 3

    Photograph everything

    Take wide shots of each room and close-ups of every mark, and note the photo numbers in the form. Keep the originals with their dates.
  4. 4

    Record meters and keys

    Read each meter and count every key, fob and remote you hand over.
  5. 5

    Sign and share

    Both sign and keep a copy. Agree how many days the tenant has to add anything you missed.

At the end of the tenancy

Use the move-out inspection checklist, which follows the same rooms so you can compare them side by side. In New York and many other places, normal wear and tear can't be taken from the deposit. List any deduction on an itemized deposit statement.

Local rules we checked

Rules change and local laws can add more. Follow the source link before you rely on one.

  • New York

    Before a tenant moves in, the landlord must offer an inspection. If the tenant asks for one, both sign a written agreement noting existing defects or damage, and the landlord can’t keep any of the deposit for anything listed in it.

    Source
  • Washington State

    A landlord who collects a deposit must give a written checklist or statement of the condition and cleanliness of the home, fixtures, appliances and furnishings at the start of the tenancy, signed and dated by both, with a copy for the tenant. Without it, the landlord is liable for the deposit amount.

    Source
  • England

    Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. If you and the landlord disagree about deductions at the end, the deposit stays protected until the dispute is settled, and a signed condition report helps show what changed.

    Source
Fact-checked October 24, 2026

Room list and condition scale are Roofy’s; no law prescribes them. NY GOL §7-108(1-a)(c), RCW 59.18.260 and the GOV.UK deposit protection page were checked for the local rules.

Sources

  1. General Obligations Law § 7-108: Security deposits (residential) · New York State Senate (accessed October 24, 2026)
  2. RCW 59.18.260: Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant (checklist) · Washington State Legislature (accessed October 24, 2026)
  3. Tenancy deposit protection · GOV.UK (accessed October 24, 2026)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency or a professional before you act.