Should the tenant sign the move-in checklist?

Yes. A checklist both of you signed on the same day is much harder to argue with at move-out than one only you filled in. Give the tenant a copy.

Do I need photos as well as the checklist?

Take them. The checklist says what you saw; photos show it. In California, photos at move-in are required for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025, and photos after move-out and after repairs since April 1, 2025.

Why is there a Spanish version?

A tenant who signs a checklist they can't read hasn't really agreed to it. The Spanish sheet has the same rooms and items in the same order, so the two copies match line for line.

Should I use the same checklist at move-out?

Yes — the same rooms in the same order, so every line at move-out has a line at move-in to compare against. Anything worse than it was, beyond normal wear, is what a deduction can be about.

RentMaintain

Move-in and move-out inspection checklist

Room by room, sized to your unit, in English or Spanish. Print it, walk the unit with your tenant, and both sign the bottom. Use the same sheet at move-out so every line has something to compare against.

BedroomsBathrooms

LaundryGarageOutside

Move-in inspection checklist

Property address

Unit

Date

Tenant(s)

Check one box per line. Photograph anything marked damaged and write the photo number beside it.

Entry & hallway
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Windows, blinds & screens
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets

Living room
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Windows, blinds & screens
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets

Kitchen
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Windows, blinds & screens
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets
Sink, faucet & under the sink
Cabinets & counters
Stove, oven & hood
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal

Bedroom 1
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Windows, blinds & screens
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets

Bedroom 2
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Windows, blinds & screens
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets

Bathroom
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Walls & paint
Ceiling
Floors & carpet
Doors, locks & closets
Lights, switches & outlets
Toilet
Sink, faucet & under the sink
Tub, shower & caulking
Exhaust fan
Mirror & cabinet

Safety & systems
Item	Good	Normal wear	Damaged	Notes	Photo #
Smoke alarms — tested
Carbon monoxide alarm — tested
Fire extinguisher
Water heater & the area around it
Heating / AC and its filter

Landlord — Signature

Date

Tenant — Signature

Date

Made with the free checklist at rentmaintain.com/tools

Getting a walk-through that holds up

Do it with the tenant, on the day they get the keys — not a week later.
Mark every line, even the ones that are fine. A blank line proves nothing either way.
Photograph anything that isn't in good shape, and write the photo number on the sheet.
Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in front of the tenant and tick them off.
Moving out in California? The deposit deadline calculator gives you the date the itemized statement is due.

Questions landlords ask

Should the tenant sign the move-in checklist?: Yes. A checklist both of you signed on the same day is much harder to argue with at move-out than one only you filled in. Give the tenant a copy.
Do I need photos as well as the checklist?: Take them. The checklist says what you saw; photos show it. In California, photos at move-in are required for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025, and photos after move-out and after repairs since April 1, 2025.
Why is there a Spanish version?: A tenant who signs a checklist they can't read hasn't really agreed to it. The Spanish sheet has the same rooms and items in the same order, so the two copies match line for line.
Should I use the same checklist at move-out?: Yes — the same rooms in the same order, so every line at move-out has a line at move-in to compare against. Anything worse than it was, beyond normal wear, is what a deduction can be about.