The move in inspection is without a doubt one of the most important aspects of moving into a rental home or apartment. At first glance, it may look like everything is in tip top condition. However, as you dig a little deeper, you may notice otherwise. Before you become the official new resident, you need to make sure every bit of damage is properly noted. If it is not properly noted beforehand, you may be held liable for it when you are ready to move out.
In some cases the landlord will provide you with a move in inspection checklist. Ideally you want the landlord to walk through the property with you and mark off items in your presence. If the landlord is unable or unwilling to do this, here are a few tips to ensure you aren't held responsible for damage you did not cause.
First, take a few minutes to create your own checklist for all rooms in the home. This includes the garage and yard area is applicable. The checklist should list all items the rental came with. Once you have your checklist go through each room and look for dents, cracks, discolorations, and any other issues that may result in you losing your deposit at the end of your lease.
If the property comes with appliances, turn them off and on to ensure they are working properly. Take pictures of everything so you can have visual proof. Make two copies of your photos. Give one set of copies to the landlord and keep the other copies for yourself.
Once the checklist is complete, have the landlord look over it and most importantly, sign it. Before you move any of your belongings into the property, make sure the move in inspection is taken care of. Doing so can save you a lot of heartache and frustration later on down the road.
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