Move-In Checklist

Full Definition

A move-in checklist is a standardized form -- often provided by the landlord and signed by both parties -- that documents the condition of each room, appliance, fixture, and surface of the rental unit at the time the tenant takes possession. It is the primary tool tenants have to protect themselves from being charged at move-out for damage that existed before they arrived. Best practices for completing a move-in checklist include: completing it on or before the first day of occupancy; walking through every room systematically; noting every existing defect, no matter how small; taking date-stamped photographs or video in addition to the written form; having the landlord sign and date the completed form; and keeping a copy. Some states (such as Michigan) require landlords to provide a move-in checklist and give tenants a reasonable opportunity to inspect the unit. In those states, a landlord's failure to provide a checklist may bar all damage deductions at move-out, regardless of the actual condition of the unit.