While the investment you make in a rental home is nowhere near the huge chunk of money you put down to purchase a home, the chances of losing at least a portion of that money are better. Unscrupulous landlords and everyday accidents may chip away at your security deposit and may even lead to you owing more money when you vacate the home.
This is why the walk-through on a rental home is so important. Of the two types of walk-throughs performed in a rental home, the move-in inspection is more important than the move-out inspection. If done correctly, this inspection ensures that you won’t be held accountable for damage left by previous tenants.
The move-in walk-through should be thorough, ensuring you don’t overlook anything. Whether the rental is a house or an apartment will determine how long and how thorough the inspection should be.
As you enter each room, check it from the floor to the ceiling. Open windows and doors to make sure they’re operable and check all the locks. As you tour the rental home, keep an eye out for signs of pest infestations, such as dead roaches or rodent droppings.
The easiest way to keep track of what you find during the walk-through is with our handy checklist below. Bring a camera, either still or video, to record any obvious damage. Make sure the landlord accompanies you on the walk-through and initials next to indications of damage.
Walk-Through Checklist for a Rental Home
Living Room
- Front door lock
- Flooring
- Walls, ceilings and baseboards
- Light fixtures
- Ceiling fan
- Window coverings
- Windows: glass, locks and screens
- Heater vents/registers
- Fireplace
- Smoke detector
- Light switch and electrical outlet coverings
Dining Room
- Flooring
- Walls, ceilings and baseboards
- Light fixtures
- Windows: glass, locks and screens
- Smoke detector
- Light switch and electrical outlet coverings
Kitchen
- Flooring
- Walls, baseboards and ceiling
- Light fixtures
- Cabinets, inside and out
- Drawers
- Counters
- Stove and oven
- Microwave
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Sink
- Evidence of water leaks under the sink
- Smoke detector
Bathroom
- Flooring
- Walls, baseboards and ceiling
- Windows: locks, screens and glass
- Light fixtures
- Bathtub/shower
- Sink
- Countertops
- Toilet
- Exhaust fan
- Are the towel racks securely fastened to the wall?
Bedroom
- Flooring
- Walls, baseboards and ceiling
- Windows: locks, screens and glass
- Light fixtures
- Smoke detector
- Closets
Utility Room
- Flooring
- Walls, baseboards and ceiling
- Light fixture
- Exhaust fan
- Run the washer.
- Run the dryer.
- Inspect the room for lint or other signs that the dryer isn’t venting properly.
Other
- Check for evidence of pests.
- Run the heater.
- Run the air-conditioning.
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Building or local codes can also influence what you should check for. In our area, outlets near a sink must be a ground fault interrupt (GFI) outlet. Some jurisdictions require hard wired and battery smoke detectors. Ask if the house ever had water damage as sometimes evidence of mold is not visible. Also check the exterior of the home to note outside damage as well.