Move-in/move-out checklist, room by room

A walkable, room-by-room list of what to inspect when you move in or out — so the property's condition is documented before anyone argues about the security deposit.

United States · Updated 2026 · ~6 min read

What to check in every room

The same core items apply to almost every space, so it helps to have a routine you repeat as you walk through. In each room, look at the walls, ceilings and floors for cracks, holes, stains, scuffs and worn spots; the windows for cracked panes, working latches and intact screens; and the doors for damage, working locks and hinges that don't stick. Then check the fixtures — light fittings, blinds, hardware — and test the lights, outlets and switches so you know they work on day one. Note anything that is already damaged, and note its condition honestly, because the condition report protects both the landlord and the tenant.

General information at the top of the checklist

Before the room-by-room walk, the checklist should capture the basics that tie the document to the lease. Record:

• Both parties' names (landlord/manager and tenant).
• The full property address and unit number.
• The move-in date (and, at the end of the lease, the move-out date).
• The lease term.
• The tenant's forwarding address — this is where the landlord sends the itemized statement and any deposit refund.

The room-by-room checklist

Work through the property one space at a time so nothing gets skipped. Below is a practical list you can adapt to your home.

Entry / hallway

• Front door, lock, deadbolt and peephole.
• Walls, floor and any baseboards or trim.
• Coat closet, shelving and any built-in storage.
• Lights, switches and the doorbell or intercom.
• Smoke detector in or near the hallway.

Living room

• Walls, ceiling, floors or carpet (note stains, scuffs, worn areas).
• Windows, latches, screens and blinds or curtains.
• Outlets, switches and ceiling fixtures (test them).
• Any built-ins, fireplace or thermostat.

Kitchen

The kitchen has the most that can go wrong, so check both cleanliness and function of each appliance.

• Cabinets, countertops, sink, faucet and drainage.
• Stove and burners — do they all light/heat?
• Oven — heats and the door seals.
• Refrigerator — cooling, seals, ice maker if present.
• Dishwasher — runs, drains and doesn't leak.
• Microwave (if provided) — heats and turns.
• Garbage disposal and vent hood, if present.
• Floors, walls and the lighting over work areas.

Bathrooms

• Toilet — flushes, no running, no rocking base.
• Sink, faucet, vanity and mirror.
• Tub/shower, tiles, grout, caulk and water pressure.
• Hot and cold water and drainage.
• Exhaust fan, lights and any signs of mold or leaks.

Bedrooms

• Walls, ceiling, floors or carpet.
• Windows, latches, screens and window coverings.
• Closet doors, shelving and rods.
• Outlets, switches and ceiling fixtures.
• Smoke detector inside or just outside each bedroom.

Exterior / garage (houses)

• Landscaping, lawn, fences and gates.
• Driveway, walkways and steps.
• Garage door and opener, plus any remotes.
• Decks, patios, sheds and other structures.
• Gutters, exterior lights and the condition of siding or paint.

Smoke and CO detectors

Note every smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector and confirm it works on move-in day. In many states the landlord installs working detectors at the start of the lease and the tenant maintains them afterward — replacing batteries and reporting failures. The exact requirement varies: roughly a dozen states require smoke alarms only (for example TX, AZ, VA), around thirty require CO detectors where there is a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage (for example CA, NY, CO, FL), and some require both (for example IL, WA, MT, LA). Write down that each unit was present and working, and check your state and local code for who is responsible for what.

Utilities and keys

Confirm the utilities you are responsible for are on and working: electricity, gas, water, heating and cooling, and any included internet. Record what you receive at handover so there's no dispute later:

• House and unit keys, plus how many of each.
• Mailbox key, garage or building fobs and remotes.
• Gate or amenity access cards.

Many templates also include meter readings and a key count. These aren't universally standardized on US checklists, but they're useful evidence, so add them if they apply to your home.

Photo and video tips

Photos turn a checklist into proof. A few habits make them count:

• Date them. Use timestamped photos or short video for every room, taken at both move-in and move-out.
• Get close-ups. Capture existing scratches, stains, holes and worn spots, then a wide shot showing the whole room.
• Both parties sign. The written checklist should be signed and dated by the landlord and the tenant.
• Keep your own copies. Save your photos and the signed report — don't rely only on the landlord's set. Keep any itemized statement you receive at move-out too.

Doing the move-out walk against the same checklist makes the comparison obvious and keeps the focus on real changes, not normal wear and tear.

Common mistakes

• Rushing the walk-through. Skipping rooms or "eyeballing" it leaves gaps that surface at move-out.
• No photos, or undated ones. A note that says "small scratch" is far weaker than a dated photo of it.
• Not testing appliances and outlets. A burner or outlet that doesn't work should be on the record from day one.
• Only the landlord signs. An unsigned or one-sided checklist is easy to dispute.
• Forgetting detectors and keys. These are small to note and costly to argue about later.
• Throwing away your copy. Without your own record, you're relying on the other party's version.

Quick reference: room and what to check

A note on state variation

What's on this page is a practical standard, not a single legal rule. A written checklist is recommended everywhere but required only in some states — and often only when a security deposit is collected (Washington, for example, requires a signed checklist before a deposit is taken). Detector rules, deposit caps and the return deadline also differ by state. Treat the checklist as your evidence, and check your state's requirements — or your state Attorney General's site — for the specifics that apply to you.

Frequently asked questions

What should a move-in/move-out checklist include?

General info (both parties' names, the property address, the move-in date, lease term and the tenant's forwarding address) and a room-by-room record of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors and fixtures, with lights, outlets and switches tested. Add kitchen appliances, smoke and CO detectors, utilities and keys, plus dated photos or video. Both the landlord and tenant should sign and date it.

Who is responsible for smoke and CO detectors?

In many states the landlord must install working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the start of the lease, and the tenant maintains them afterward (for example, replacing batteries and reporting failures). Requirements vary by state and locality, so note on your checklist that each detector was present and working on move-in day and check your state's rules.

Do I need to write down meter readings and keys?

It is good practice. Record how many keys, fobs, remotes and mailbox keys you received, and note utility status. Meter readings and a key count are not universally standardized on US checklists, but they help prove the condition you started with and what you handed back.

How many photos should I take?

Take dated photos or short video of every room, plus close-ups of any existing damage such as scratches, stains, holes or worn spots. There is no fixed number — capture enough that the condition is clear. Keep your own copies; do not rely only on the landlord's set.

Is a move-in/move-out checklist required?

It is recommended everywhere but required only in some states, and often only when the landlord collects a security deposit. Washington, for example, requires a signed written checklist before a deposit is collected. Rules vary by state — check your state's requirements.

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

Normal wear and tear is the gradual aging from ordinary use — faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, carpet worn thin over years — and is not deductible from your deposit. Damage is beyond ordinary use, such as large holes, cigarette burns, pet-urine stains or broken fixtures, and may be deducted. How courts draw the line varies by state.