Property inventory checklist, room by room

A practical, room-by-room checklist for your UK inventory and check-in report — plus meter readings, keys and the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms a rented home must have.

For tenancies in England & Wales · Updated June 2026

What to check in every room

The same set of items applies to each room, so a quick mental checklist keeps your inventory consistent. For every room, record the condition and any existing marks for:

• Walls — paintwork, wallpaper, scuffs, marks, cracks, picture hooks or holes.
• Ceiling — staining, cracks, condition of any coving or light fittings.
• Floor / carpet — carpet wear and stains, scratches on hard floors, loose tiles or boards.
• Windows — glass, frames, handles, locks, sills, blinds or curtains and condensation marks.
• Doors — leaf, frame, handle, lock and key, hinges and any draught seals.
• Fixtures & fittings — radiators, light switches, sockets, shelving, fitted furniture and curtain rails.
• Sockets & switches — number, position and condition; note anything cracked or not working.
• Radiators — condition, leaks and whether the heating works.
• Cleanliness — describe the standard (for example "professionally cleaned" or "clean throughout").
• Existing marks — log every chip, stain, scratch or dent now, with a dated photo, so it is not blamed on the tenant later.

Describe condition plainly: "good", "fair", "light wear" or "damaged", with a short note and a photo reference. For a finished example you can copy, see our inventory example.

General details to record first

Start the report with the basics that identify the tenancy. These framing details matter if the inventory is ever used in a dispute:

• Property address — full address, including flat or floor number.
• Date — the check-in date the inventory reflects.
• Parties — landlord or letting agent, and the tenant(s) named on the tenancy agreement.
• Property type — flat or house, furnished or unfurnished, number of bedrooms.

Checklist by room

Work through the property in a logical order and do not skip the spaces people forget — the hallway, loft and garage. Below is what to focus on in each.

Living room

• Walls, ceiling, paintwork and any existing marks.
• Carpet or flooring condition; stains or worn patches.
• Windows, sills, curtains, blinds and curtain rails.
• Radiators, sockets, switches, TV and aerial points.
• Any provided furniture — sofa, table, shelving — with marks noted.
• A smoke alarm if this storey has none elsewhere.

Kitchen (including appliances)

• Worktops, units, cupboard doors, handles and drawers.
• Sink, taps, splashback and tiling; signs of leaks under the unit.
• Flooring, walls and extractor or hood.
• Appliances — oven, hob, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and microwave: confirm each works, is clean and note make where relevant.
• Carbon monoxide alarm if there is a gas boiler or other fixed combustion appliance (a gas cooker on its own does not require one).

Bathroom & WC

• Bath, shower, screen or curtain, and the seal around them.
• Basin, taps, toilet, cistern and flush.
• Tiling, grout, sealant and any mould or staining.
• Extractor fan, mirror, heated towel rail and flooring.

Bedrooms

• Walls, ceiling, flooring and existing marks in each bedroom.
• Windows, locks, curtains or blinds and wardrobes.
• Radiators, sockets and light fittings.
• Any beds, mattresses or furniture provided, with condition noted.

Hallway, stairs & landing

• Flooring, carpet on stairs, handrail and banister.
• Walls and ceiling, including scuffs at high-traffic points.
• Front and internal doors, locks and the entry intercom if fitted.
• Smoke alarm on each storey — test it and record the result.

Outside, garage & loft

• Garden, paths, fences, gates, sheds and any garden furniture.
• Bins and recycling provision.
• Garage or parking — door, condition and contents.
• Loft — access hatch and whether it is used for storage; note if not inspected.
• External walls, gutters and the general state of the frontage.

Meter readings

Always record and photograph the meters on the check-in date so the tenant only pays for their own usage. Note the reading and the meter serial number for:

• Gas — reading and serial number.
• Electricity — reading and serial number (record day and night rates separately on an Economy 7 meter).
• Water — only where the property is metered.

Repeat the same readings at check-out so there is a clear record for the final bills.

Keys & alarms

List every key handed over and confirm the safety alarms are present and working. These are easy to overlook and both matter at the end of the tenancy.

Keys

• Count and describe each set — front door, back door, window keys, communal entrance, garage, post box, alarm fobs and any window-lock keys.
• Record how many sets are issued to the tenant so the same number is returned.

Smoke & carbon monoxide alarms

Since 1 October 2022 in England, the rules are specific:

• At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance — for example a gas boiler, wood burner or open fire (gas cookers are excluded).
• It is the landlord's duty to make sure alarms are present and working at the start of the tenancy, and to repair or replace a faulty alarm once the tenant reports it. Local authorities enforce this, with a fine of up to £5,000.
• Record each alarm in the inventory and note that it was tested on the check-in date.

Photo tips

Photos turn a list into evidence, so take them properly:

• Dated — make sure each photo carries the check-in date; KeySwap timestamps them automatically.
• Clear and well lit — open curtains, switch lights on, and take a wide shot of each room plus close-ups of any mark or damage.
• Meters and keys — photograph the meter readings and the keys handed over.
• Both sign — the landlord or agent and the tenant should review and sign the report; the tenant keeps a copy and can take their own dated photos.

Common mistakes

• Vague descriptions. "Good condition" with no photo proves little. Note the specific mark and reference the photo.
• Skipping rooms. Halls, lofts, gardens and garages are where disputes start — cover them.
• No meter readings. Without check-in readings the tenant can be billed for someone else's usage.
• Forgetting the alarms. Not recording smoke and CO alarms misses a legal duty and a useful check.
• Only the landlord signs. An unsigned, one-sided inventory is weak evidence; both parties should sign.
• Confusing wear with damage. You cannot deduct for fair wear and tear, and the betterment principle stops you charging to improve on the original condition.

Summary: room by room at a glance

Once your checklist is complete, the report becomes the baseline for the check-out and deposit return. For the full picture of how inventories fit into a UK tenancy, read the complete guide, and if you are unsure whether you need one, see is an inventory required?

Frequently asked questions

Is an inventory checklist legally required in the UK?

No. An inventory or check-in report is not a statutory requirement, but it is strongly recommended because it is the key piece of evidence in a deposit dispute. Protecting the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days is required; the inventory is what proves the property's condition at the start of the tenancy.

How many smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must a rented home have?

Since 1 October 2022 in England, landlords must fit at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or wood burner (gas cookers are excluded). The landlord must repair or replace a faulty alarm once it is reported. Record each alarm and a test result in the inventory.

Should I record meter readings in the inventory?

Yes. Record and photograph the gas, electricity and (if metered) water readings on the check-in date, along with the meter serial numbers. This makes sure the tenant only pays for their own usage and avoids billing disputes when the tenancy ends.

How should I photograph the property for the inventory?

Take clear, well-lit, dated photos of every room and a close-up of any existing mark, scuff, stain or damage. Capture meter readings and keys too. Both the landlord (or agent) and the tenant should review and sign the report, and the tenant should keep a copy and take their own dated photos.

What is the difference between fair wear and tear and damage?

Fair wear and tear is the gradual deterioration from reasonable normal use, such as light carpet tread marks or minor scuffs, and cannot be deducted from the deposit. Damage is breakage, staining, missing items or harm beyond normal use, evidenced by comparing the check-out report against the check-in inventory. The betterment principle means a landlord cannot charge to put an item in better condition than it was at the start.

Can I make the inventory checklist myself instead of paying a clerk?

Yes. You can complete an inventory yourself for free, or use a tool like KeySwap to produce a dated, photographed and signed PDF in about five minutes from £9. A professional inventory clerk is optional; in England the cost cannot be charged to the tenant under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.