There’s more to getting new tenants into your rental than creating a lease, signing it and giving them the key. Under local law, landlords might be required to complete a rental property inspection before tenants move in and again when they move out. 

According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report 2022, 73% of recent renters plan to move in the next three years. To make the next move easier, check out our Property Condition Report feature in Zillow Rental Manager or on our mobile app (Apple / Google). Use the report to help streamline the move-in process and make it less stressful for both landlords and tenants.

Why is a move-in checklist important?

A move-in checklist provides a convenient and organized way for you to keep track of your rental property’s condition and check for damage beyond normal wear and tear. 

For landlords: A move-in checklist helps document existing conditions in the home. A checklist can hold tenants accountable for damage that occurs to the rental during the tenancy. Documenting preexisting damage can reduce the likelihood of disputes related to the return of the security deposit.  

For tenants: A checklist like this helps them keep an objective assessment of the condition of their rental. It may also serve as written documentation in case there is ever a legal dispute in the future. The checklist can also be a tool tenants use to take inventory of what the landlord might need to repair or improve before or during the tenancy.

Generally, once the landlord and tenant have completed the rental inspection, it should be signed by both parties. Be sure to give a copy to your tenant. You may want to attach another copy of the signed checklist to the lease agreement and file it away until it comes time for the tenant to move out.

Tip: It’s a good idea to specify in the lease agreement what the tenant is responsible for in order to keep the rental unit in good condition. In select states, you can use Zillow Rental Manager to easily create, modify, and sign a lease with your renter — all online.

What’s included in a move-in checklist?

Before you get started, you’ll first need to identify who needs to sign the report. This includes both the tenants and landlords.

Next, you’ll need to build the floorplan of your property to include the key areas where you want to track. Our move-in checklist is organized with a separate section for each room within the rental property so you can easily walk through and inspect each item.

You can choose from a pre-populated common list of spaces to help you get started. You can also customize your floor plan to make sure each space in the rental gets included.

How do you record the condition of a rental property?

With all the steps involved in filling your vacancy, it’s easy to overlook small things during the inspection.The Property Condition Report makes it super simple to note issues like the condition of the carpet, cracked bathroom tiles, or a broken ceiling light.

Once you build out the floor plan, it’s time to document the condition of each item.

Being able to add photos directly from your phone allows for easy documentation of every item’s condition.

You can also personalize the inspection to include each of your property’s unique features.

How do you get your property move-in ready?

There are a few things you may want to do to get your property ready for a new tenant, such as: 

• Schedule professional services to make any needed repairs.
• Purchase any needed supplies, such as paint, lightbulbs or new blinds.
• Clean up the yard by mowing, raking and pruning overgrown plants.
• Wash the windows and repair any torn window screens.
• Change the air filters in the HVAC system.
• Re-key all the locks.

When welcoming your new tenant, it’s also a good idea to provide them with instructions on how to set up utilities, pay rent, get renters insurance, and report maintenance issues. Stay organized during this busy time with Zillow Rental Manager, the easiest way to manage your listing, handle tenant applications, and collect rent payments online.

Related forms:

• Move-out checklist
• Lease agreement
• Landlord notice to enter