Rental Inspection Checklist

Landlords expect the tenants to keep a rental property in good condition throughout their stay. This is where a landlord can use a Rental Inspection Checklist to document everything and aid in any potential dispute. The checklist records the condition of the property and may contain detailed descriptions of all the significant features. With a properly filled-out list, a landlord will compare the shape of the rental property before and after the lease to determine if any damage occurred other than normal wear and tear.

What Is a Rental Inspection Checklist?

When landlords rent out properties, they risk the property sustaining damage that may affect property value. Some landlords simply do a quick walk-through of the property with the new tenant. However, without documentation, the actual state of the property might be open to dispute. Landlords can avoid this to a large extent with a properly filled-out Rental Inspection Checklist.

Landlords use the Rental Inspection Checklist to document the condition of a rental property before leasing it. It should describe the property's state, including fixtures, large appliances, and everything that comes with the lease for landlords to compare the condition afterward. The Rental Inspection Checklist can serve as evidence if a tenant is to leave behind damages.

In practice, it is even more pertinent for tenants to denote the rental property's actual condition as landlords can assume everything to be in good condition unless otherwise noted. The Rental Inspection Checklist can also serve as a reminder for the items that a landlord should repair during the tenancy.

Other Names for Rental Inspection Checklist

Depending on your state, a Rental Inspection Checklists may also be known as:

• Checklist for Residential Rental Units
• Move-in Checklist
• Rental Checklist
• Move-in / Move-out Checklist
• Condition of Rental Property Checklist

Who Needs a Rental Inspection Checklist?

Although some jurisdictions require a Rental Inspection Checklist before landlords can deduct from the security deposit, it is not mandatory in all states. However, it can be smart for all landlords to use this checklist when renting out properties. The condition of the premises before and after a tenant moves in and out would not be open to dispute.

Why Use Swyft Forms for Rental Inspection Checklist?

Customized for you, by you

Create your own documents by answering our easy-to-understand questionnaires to get exactly what you need out of your Rental Inpsection Checklist.

Specific to Your Jurisdiction

Laws vary by location. Each document on Swyft Forms is customized for your state.

How to Create a Rental Inspection Checklist With Swyft Forms?

The Rental Inspection Checklist is relatively simple to grasp, but not so much if you have to create one from scratch. Rest easy as landlords can use Swyft Forms to create their Rental Inspection Checklist with just a few clicks. Only standard information is needed to generate your own.

Let Swyft Forms help with our extensive library of attorney-vetted legal forms. The process is fast and easy. All you have to do is fill out our easy-to-understand questionnaire. Once complete, simply download your form as a PDF or Word document from your secure online account.

What Information Will I Need to Create My Rental Inspection Checklist?

To create your document, please provide:

• Landlord details: Legal name and contact number of the landlord.
• Tenant details: Legal name and contact number of the tenant.
• Premises details: The full address and description of the leased property.
• Move-out date: The date when the tenant is to move out.
• Move-in inspection date: The date when the landlord and tenant are to perform a walk-through of the property together.
• Move-out inspection date: The date when the landlord is to examine the property after the lease expires.
• Interior details: List the details of everything included in the property, most commonly walls, windows, flooring, and appliances. Have pictures as desired.
• Details about smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors: Specify if smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are included and the working condition.
• Signatures: Both parties are to sign the document.

Rental Inpsection Checklist Terms

• Security deposit: A sum of money a tenant pays to a landlord, usually specified in a lease as one of the requirements. Landlords can use it to account for any deductions, including nonpayment of rent and property damage. The rest is to be returned to the tenant within a reasonable period after moving out.
• Move-in inspection: A walk-through of the rental property before moving in can be performed by both the landlord and tenant.
• Move-out inspection: A walk-through of the rental property after moving out, usually performed by the landlord.

A Rental Inspection Checklist Signing Requirements

After the Rental Inspection Checklist is filled out and both landlord and tenant agree to the contents, both parties should sign the document. It does not require a witness or notarization.

What to Do With Your Rental Inspection Checklist?

After you have generated your Rental Inspection Checklist on Swyft Forms, print out a copy to be given to the tenant to fill out. The tenant is to return the completed checklist to the landlord, who may want to return a copy to the tenant.