Document everything before you unpack
Your landlord will blame you for every scuff and stain when you move out. This checklist makes sure you have proof of what was already there.
Go through each room. Check off items you've inspected, note the condition, and add details for anything that isn't perfect. Your future self will thank you.
Take photos of every room, but also do a slow video walkthrough. Timestamps are your best friend. A 2-minute video has saved people thousands.
Email copies of your photos, video, and this checklist to yourself AND your landlord. That way there's a paper trail with a date nobody can argue with.
Do this inspection BEFORE you bring anything inside. Once your couch is against the wall, you'll never know about the hole behind it until move-out day.
Water pressure, outlets, light switches, closet doors. The boring stuff is exactly what landlords charge $200 to "fix" when you leave.
Bring a phone charger and plug it into every outlet. Dead outlets are more common than you think, and you don't want to discover one behind your desk after you've set everything up.
Turn on each faucet for 30 seconds and look under the sinks while the water runs. Slow leaks only show up when the water's actually flowing — and they'll blame you for water damage later.
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