Move-In Condition Report

Full Definition

A move-in condition report (also called an inspection checklist or move-in statement) is a systematic record of the condition of each room and every fixture, appliance, and surface of a rental unit at the start of a tenancy. Many states require landlords to provide a written checklist and to note any existing damage. Both the landlord and tenant should sign and date the completed report, and each party keeps a copy. The move-in report is the tenant's primary protection against being charged at move-out for damage that existed before they arrived. In states like Michigan and Georgia, a properly documented move-in condition report shifts the burden of proof: the landlord cannot charge the tenant for pre-existing damage that appears on the signed report. Without such documentation, tenants may find it difficult to contest deductions for damage they did not cause. Best practice is to supplement the written form with date-stamped photographs or video.