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Apartment Move-In Checklist

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APARTMENT MOVE-IN CHECKLIST AND OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT

Landlord Name:      Tenant Name:

Property Address:

Move-In Date:     Unit/Apartment #:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Landlord is the owner or authorized manager of the residential premises located at the Property Address set forth above; and

WHEREAS, Tenant intends to occupy the premises and the parties desire to document the condition of the premises at the commencement of tenancy and to record agreed initial repairs, inventory and payment obligations;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows.

SCOPE OF WORK

The parties document the move-in condition and agree the following initial scope of work and any repairs to be completed by Landlord within the timeframes stated below.

APARTMENT CONDITION CHECKLIST

For each item mark Good or Needs Repair and provide comments where applicable. Landlord and Tenant initial beside any line where a defect is noted.

Living Room

Walls:   Tenant Initials:   Landlord Initials:

Floors:

Kitchen

Appliances:

Sink/Plumbing:

Bedroom(s)

Number of Bedrooms Inspected:

Bathroom(s)

Fixtures & Drainage:

SAFETY & UTILITIES

Smoke Detectors Present and Functional:

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Present:

INVENTORY & KEYS

Number of Door Keys Provided:   Mail Key:   Fob/Access Card(s):

METER READINGS

Electricity Reading:   Gas Reading:   Water Reading:

REPAIRS AGREED

The parties agree that the items listed below will be completed by Landlord within the stated timeframe. Tenant acknowledges the repairs listed are limited to those expressly set forth below:

PAYMENT TERMS

Late payments shall incur a late fee of assessed after days past due. Fees accrue in accordance with the Lease and applicable law.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Lease Start Date:     Lease End Date:

Either party may terminate the tenancy in accordance with the Lease and applicable law. Notice to terminate shall be provided in writing at least days in advance unless otherwise provided in the Lease or agreed in writing.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The parties acknowledge that information exchanged in connection with the inspection, repairs and tenancy may include personal data. Landlord and Tenant agree to treat such information as confidential, use it solely for purposes related to the tenancy and to safeguard it consistent with applicable privacy obligations.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement and the interpretation of its terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law rules.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This document, together with any signed Lease and any written addenda referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant regarding the matters set forth in this Move-In Checklist and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements relating thereto. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

CERTIFICATION

By signing below, Landlord and Tenant certify that they have inspected the premises together, that the information recorded on this Move-In Checklist is, to the best of their knowledge, true and accurate, and that agreed repairs and payments are reflected in the Scope of Work and Payment Terms above. Tenant acknowledges receipt of keys and functioning safety devices as indicated.

Tenant Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Landlord Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Apartment Move-In Checklist Is

An Apartment Move-In Checklist is a written record used at the start of a tenancy to document the apartment condition, inventory fixtures and appliances, and capture any pre-existing damage or issues. It typically accompanies a lease or rental agreement and is completed by the tenant and landlord or property manager to establish a baseline for later move-out comparisons and security deposit accounting. A clear checklist reduces disputes by recording dates, signatures, meter readings, and photographic evidence, and it is often retained with the lease for the lease term plus a retention period required by applicable law.

Why a Move-In Checklist Matters

A documented move-in checklist protects both parties by recording the unit condition at possession, clarifying repair responsibilities, and supporting accurate security deposit settlements.

Why a Move-In Checklist Matters

Who Uses an Apartment Move-In Checklist

Typical users complete or rely on the checklist at move-in and retain it for the tenancy term.

  • Tenant: Signs, documents unit condition, records meter readings, and keeps a personal copy for deposit disputes.
  • Property Manager: Completes inventory, notes maintenance items, and stores the master checklist for property records.
  • Landlord / Owner: Reviews condition, approves repairs, and uses the checklist when settling security deposits or claims.

Each user plays a distinct role in drafting, approving, or storing the checklist for later reference.

Core Elements to Include on the Checklist

A professional Apartment Move-In Checklist is concise but comprehensive, combining condition notes, dated photos, signature blocks, and fields for meter and key counts so responsibilities are clear at move-out.

Unit ID

Apartment number and building address recorded exactly as on the lease to avoid misfiling and ensure clear association with the tenancy.

Room-by-Room

Separate sections for each room listing walls, floors, windows, appliances, and fixtures with checkboxes and space for descriptive notes.

Inventory

List included items such as keys, remotes, and appliances with serial numbers and counts to reduce disputes over missing property.

Condition Notes

Detailed descriptions of scratches, stains, or damage plus dated photographs referenced by filename or photo number for later comparison.

Meter Readings

Electric, gas, and water meter numbers and dates to establish billing start points and avoid allocation errors.

Signatures

Signature and printed name lines for tenant and landlord/agent with dates and witness or notary fields if required by local rules.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Move-In Checklist

Follow these steps during the move-in inspection to create an accurate, timestamped record.

  • 01
    Schedule Inspection: Agree on a mutually convenient time before keys are handed over.
  • 02
    Walk Each Room: Inspect systematically and fill in room sections as you go.
  • 03
    Capture Photos: Photograph issues with timestamps for later comparison.
  • 04
    Sign and Save: Both parties sign; each retains a copy for records.

Where to File or Send the Completed Checklist

After signing, route copies to each stakeholder and retain a central version in property records.

  • Tenant Copy: Tenant keeps a personal digital or printed copy for deposit disputes.
  • Property Records: Property manager uploads master copy to the tenant file or property management system.
  • Accounting: Send meter readings to billing for pro-rated charges if applicable.
  • Maintenance: Forward any repair items to maintenance work order systems.

Configuring an Online Move-In Checklist Workflow

Set up the digital form to collect signatures, photos, and auditable timestamps for every completed checklist.

Field Configuration
Signature Field Required for tenant and landlord; capture date and IP/timestamp.
Photo Upload Allow image attachments per room with file naming convention.
Conditional Repair Notes Show repair details only when damage checkbox is checked.
Retention Location Save completed checklist to the tenant record in property software.

Digital Signing and Platform Considerations

Ensure the chosen solution meets any industry compliance needs and that all parties can access and reproduce the record on request.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX support ensures compatibility with property management systems and preserves layout.
  • Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP address, and signer identity logs demonstrate intent to sign.
  • Integrations: Cloud storage and PMS integrations simplify archiving and retrieval.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping photographs or using low-resolution images that lack timestamps makes later comparisons unreliable and weakens evidence.
  • Vague condition descriptions like 'fair' or 'worn' without location and size details lead to disputes over repair responsibility.
  • Failing to record meter readings at move-in can create billing disagreements about prorated utility charges.
  • Not saving a signed copy for each party or failing to store it in the tenant file reduces enforceability and slows dispute resolution.

Risks and Consequences of an Incomplete Checklist

Security Deposit Loss: Tenant may lose deposit if pre-existing damage is undocumented
Repair Disputes: Landlord may face contested invoices or withheld funds
Billing Errors: Utility proration errors if meter reads are absent
Legal Costs: Higher attorney fees if documentation is insufficient
Regulatory Penalties: Noncompliance with local housing rules can trigger fines
Eviction Complications: Weaker evidence in court for damage or unpaid rent

Essential Information Fields to Capture

Tenant Name: Full legal name
Landlord Name: Owner or manager name
Unit Address: Full address with unit
Move-In Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Meter Readings: Exact numbers
Signatures: Tenant + landlord

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Comparison of typical starting prices and feature flags useful when choosing an eSignature platform to collect and retain move-in checklists.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (tiered) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Move-In Checklists

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, storing, and using an Apartment Move-In Checklist during tenancy.


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