Move-In Condition Report Checklist
What it should state. What's commonly not stated. What to ask before you sign.
You've been handed a move-in condition report for a rental. This page lists what a complete one states, the lines that are commonly not stated, and the questions worth asking before your name goes on it.
This is a reading checklist, not advice. Spend Defense doesn't tell you whether to sign — we make sure you've actually seen what's on the page, and what isn't.
What a complete move-in condition report states
Return deadline — the date the completed report is due back to the landlord.
Room-by-room lines — a line for each room and surface — walls, floors, windows, fixtures — not one blank page.
Existing damage, written down — stains, scratches, holes, and wear noted with location.
Appliances and systems — heat, air conditioning, water, and each appliance listed as tested and working, or not.
Photo and video evidence — whether photos or video can be attached, and how they are dated.
Keys and access devices — how many keys, fobs, and remotes were provided.
Both signatures and dates — signed and dated by you and the landlord, with a copy for you.
What's commonly not stated
- The deadline — many leases give only a few days to return the report; it is often mentioned only in passing.
- Landlord acknowledgment — whether the landlord confirms or disputes your notes is rarely explained.
- Your copy — getting a signed copy back is often not part of the process unless you ask.
- Systems never tested — heat in summer or AC in winter may never be checked, so the form just says "OK."
None of these gaps decide anything by themselves. They're the lines to ask about before you sign, not after.
Questions to ask before you sign
- “When is this report due back?”
- “Can I attach dated photos or video to it?”
- “Will you sign it as well, and can I have a copy?”
- “Can we test the heat, AC, and appliances before I sign?”
- “How will this report be used when I move out?”
Want a second set of eyes on the actual document?
Send us the paperwork before you sign. A Quick Check reads your document and shows you what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask — for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Longer documents: Document Review $19, Premium Review $49.
Check my document →We don't decide for you. We make sure nothing on the page — or missing from it — surprises you later.
FAQ
How much of my security deposit can a landlord keep?
We don't decide deposit disputes — rules depend on your state, your lease, and the condition at move-out. What you can control now is the record: a move-in report that notes every existing mark, dated photos, and a signed copy you keep. That record is what both sides look at later.
What if something on this checklist is missing from my move-in report?
Add it in writing before you return the form, and ask for a signed copy. A blank line isn't a verdict on anyone; it's an unknown that becomes a question at move-out. Getting existing damage written down now costs nothing and settles it early.
Can Spend Defense read my actual move-in report?
Yes — that's the Quick Check. Send the document and you'll get back what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask, for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Most move-in reports are a few pages, well within that limit.
Related checklists
- Residential Lease Agreement Checklist
- Rent-to-Own Agreement Checklist
- Moving Company Estimate Checklist
Spend Defense — we read the paperwork before you sign. We don't decide for you.