Residential · Free template
Move-out inspection checklist
A move-out inspection is only as useful as the move-in record it compares against. Its job is not to describe the property afresh but to identify what has changed, and to separate fair wear and tear from damage that may be recoverable.
Ask the same questions in the same order as the move-in visit. A move-out inspection that follows a different structure produces two documents that cannot be read against each other, which is the entire point of the exercise.
34 check items · 6 sections
How to use this checklist
- 01
Bring the move-in record
Have the original inspection, with its photographs, available during the visit. Comparison at the property is far more reliable than comparison from memory afterwards.
- 02
Follow the same sequence
Walk the property in the same order and answer the same questions as the move-in inspection, so the two records align item by item.
- 03
Record change, not condition alone
For each item note whether it matches the move-in record, and where it does not, describe the difference specifically.
- 04
Classify wear against damage
Distinguish deterioration consistent with ordinary use over the tenancy length from damage, neglect or missing items. Record the reasoning, not only the conclusion.
- 05
Photograph every difference
Where condition has changed, capture a wide and close photograph. These are the images that will be examined if the deposit is disputed.
The checklist
Before you start
- Move-in record and photographs available
- Tenancy end date and duration recorded
- Names of everyone present
- Whether the property is vacant and fully cleared
- Date and start time of the inspection
Comparison by room
- Flooring: compare condition, note new stains, burns, tears or wear
- Walls and ceilings: new marks, holes, fixings, unapproved decoration
- Doors and frames: damage, missing handles, alignment
- Windows: cracked panes, damaged frames, missing keys
- Fixtures and fittings: present, damaged or missing since move-in
- Light fittings and bulbs: present and working
- Sockets and switches: cracks, scorching, missing plates
Kitchen and bathroom
- Appliances: present, working, cleaned to move-in standard
- Oven and hob condition compared with move-in
- Worktops and units: new chips, burns or water damage
- Sink, bath, shower and basin: new chips, cracks or staining
- Sealant and grout: mould or deterioration beyond ordinary use
- Extractor fans operating
- Limescale, grease or residue beyond ordinary cleaning
Cleanliness and clearance
- Property cleared of tenant belongings
- Rubbish and recycling removed
- Cleaning standard compared with the move-in record
- Garden and outdoor space in comparable condition
- Sheds, garages and lofts cleared
Meters, keys and safety
- Final meter readings for electricity, gas and water
- All issued keys, fobs and remotes returned and counted
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms present and tested
- Any alteration to services or fittings during the tenancy
Findings
- Items classified as fair wear and tear, with reasoning
- Items classified as damage, with photographic evidence
- Missing items listed against the move-in inventory
- Cleaning or clearance required, described specifically
- Tenant comments recorded, attributed as tenant comments
- Inspector name, date and signature
Practical notes
Fair wear and tear is deterioration consistent with the number of occupants and the length of the tenancy. A carpet worn along a hallway after four years is wear; a burn in the same carpet is damage. Record which you consider it and why.
Where the move-in record is silent on an item, that item is very difficult to recover. This is worth noting internally, because it identifies the gap to close in future move-in inspections rather than a fault of this one.
Give the tenant an opportunity to comment and record what they say, attributed to them. A record that captures disagreement is more credible than one that pretends there was none.
Common questions
- What is the difference between fair wear and tear and damage?
- Fair wear and tear is deterioration consistent with ordinary use over the tenancy length and occupancy. Damage is beyond that — burns, breaks, unapproved alterations or neglect. Record which classification you have applied and the reasoning behind it.
- Does a move-out inspection need to match the move-in checklist?
- It should. Asking the same questions in the same order is what makes the two records comparable item by item. A move-out inspection with a different structure produces documents that cannot be aligned.
- What if there was no move-in inspection?
- The move-out record then describes condition without a baseline, which makes attribution very difficult. Document condition thoroughly regardless, and treat it as the baseline for the next tenancy.
Further reading
- Move-in and move-out inspections should not be identicalWhere the two workflows overlap, where they differ and how to keep the comparison clear.
- What turns inspection data into evidenceAttachment, provenance and consistency are what separate a defensible record from a folder of images.
- Better photo evidence without slowing the field teamCapture fewer ambiguous images and more useful evidence with simple workflow design choices.
