Property Walkthrough Checklist (Move-In / Move-Out)
A move-in / move-out walkthrough checklist — room-by-room condition (walls, floors, fixtures, appliances), keys + meters returned, photo placeholders, and joint signatures with date.
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PROPERTY WALKTHROUGH CHECKLIST — MOVE-IN
218 Linden Ave, Unit 2B, Springfield
Date: June 15, 2026
PARTIES
Landlord / manager: Casey Tran — Hearth & Home Realty
Tenant: Morgan Lee
ROOM-BY-ROOM CONDITION
Living room: Walls clean; carpet has a 3" stain near the south window; outlet by the door is loose.
Kitchen: Range, oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave — all functional. Tile grout near sink discolored. One cabinet hinge loose.
Bedrooms: Master: closet door rail off-track. Bed 2: pristine. Bed 3: small drywall ding behind door.
Bathrooms: Master bath: caulking around tub needs renewal. Hall bath: working order, mild mildew on shower ceiling.
Exterior: Patio swept; fence intact; one missing slat on side gate; HVAC condenser in good visible order.
Systems: HVAC filter dated 2026-05-01. Water heater pilot lit, no leaks. Smoke + CO detectors tested OK; batteries 2026-04.
KEYS, FOBS, OPENERS
2 house keys, 1 mailbox key, 1 garage opener
UTILITY METERS
Elec 48,221 kWh · Gas 1,884 therms · Water 220,442 gal
PHOTOS
[ ] Living room (4 angles) [ ] Kitchen (4 angles)
[ ] Each bedroom [ ] Each bathroom
[ ] Exterior (front/back) [ ] Any pre-existing damage close-ups
Date-stamp each photo. Store with this checklist.
JOINT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We have walked the property together on the date above and the
notes above accurately describe its condition at that walkthrough.
Pre-existing items noted here will NOT be charged at move-out.
Landlord / manager: ____________________________ Date: ____________
Casey Tran — Hearth & Home Realty
Tenant: ____________________________ Date: ____________
Morgan Lee
About this template
A **move-in / move-out walkthrough checklist** is the single document that decides whether a security deposit comes back. It records the **condition of every room** at the start of the tenancy (or sale) so that the same checklist at the end can prove what is normal wear and what is tenant-caused damage. In nearly every US state the **landlord may deduct from the security deposit only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear** — and the burden of proof rests with the landlord. A signed move-in checklist with **date-stamped photos** is the strongest evidence either side can produce. Walk together, room by room, and write what you see. Be specific: not "scratched floor" but "3-inch scratch on living-room hardwood, 24 inches from the south window." Note **functional checks** — burners, oven, dishwasher, fridge, range hood, smoke and CO detectors, HVAC, water heater. Capture **utility-meter readings** so the final bill is fairly allocated. List **all keys, fobs, and openers** so move-out has a delivery checklist. **Photographs** are the heart of the file: four angles per room, close-ups of any pre-existing damage, every appliance from the front. At move-out, walk the same checklist in the same order and compare side by side. Anything **new since move-in** is the question; anything noted at move-in is closed. Most disputes evaporate at this stage because both sides are looking at the same checklist with the same photos. State rules vary on how quickly the landlord must return the deposit (often 14–30 days) and whether an itemized statement is required (most states), but the underlying logic — joint walkthrough, signed checklist, photos — is universal. Use this template at both ends of every tenancy.
When to use it
- Start of a residential tenancy (move-in).
- End of a residential tenancy (move-out).
- Buyer and seller pre-closing walkthrough on a home sale.
- Annual landlord inspection where state law permits.
What to include
- Property address and inspection date.
- Landlord / manager and tenant identities.
- Room-by-room condition notes, specific to the room.
- Systems and appliances functional checks.
- Keys, fobs, openers, and utility-meter readings.
- Photo file references and joint signatures.