Capture photo evidence of property condition and perform efficient rental inspections with digital checklists, templates, and forms.
A rental inspection checklist is used by landlords or property managers to assess the condition of rental properties such as homes and apartments . This is to look out for areas that may need action (i.e needs cleaning, needs repairing, or needs replacing) . The inspection checklist helps you do the following:
Check the following links to see a completed rental inspection report in Weblink and PDF.
Powered by Published 20 Feb 2024 Article by Jairus Andales | 5 min readA rental inspection checklist is a tool used by landlords or property managers to ensure that rental properties are in good condition before, during, and after the tenant’s occupation. Conducting a rental inspection involves a thorough visual check of the property’s rooms and exterior.
The tenant should expect to be notified in advance according to applicable local regulations before a routine rental inspection is to be conducted by a property manager.
The property manager will visit and conduct a visual check of the area to ensure that the rental property is in good condition and maintained by the tenants according to the rental agreement. The spaces include the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, bedroom, and other features of the property such as heating/cooling systems, parking areas, porch, etc.
Both the tenant and the property inspector can benefit from using a rental inspection checklist (that can be printed as PDF if needed) to ensure that every feature of the property stays in good condition.
When performing a rental inspection, it is best to utilize a checklist as a guide to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. As mentioned above, here are some key items to include in a rental inspection checklist, along with the specific areas to inspect:
Also do a check of other features of the property such as the heating system, air conditioning, stairs, hallways, lawns, patios or decks, parking areas, and porches, to complete the comprehensive inspection.
When conducting a rental inspection, it is critical to use a highly-configurable platform that allows for easy data-entry using portable devices such as mobile phones or tablets. It is also ideal to use readily available documents that include all the property areas that inspectors need to check so as to avoid missing anything during the process.
An efficient rental inspection checklist follows these steps:
Property managers and landlords use rental inspection checklist templates during rental inspections to ensure that key areas of the property are checked and in good condition. Here are the three most common types of rental inspections a property manager will perform and the key areas of focus during the inspection:
A rental property inspection checks the overall condition of a rental property to determine whether it’s livable or not. Thoroughly check every aspect of the property and take note of potential damages such as scratches/ marks on walls or floors, holes in the ceiling or walls, damaged window sills, door frames, etc. Conducting rental inspections on a quarterly basis is an effective way to show the commitment of property managers and landlords to maintaining the good condition of rental spaces.
A tenant move-in inspection is conducted with the presence of the tenant. Performing this inspection documents any damage present before occupancy and can be used as reference to compare during the end of tenant’s occupancy. The items in this checklist cover the same as a regular rental inspection checklist but will be signed by both landlord and tenant.
A move out inspection is done after the tenancy period is over to review the property’s condition. Information collected using a rental inspection form can be included in the formal agreement between the landlord and tenant that assures accountability for damages found (if any) that were not present during the move-in.
The purpose of preparing an inspection checklist before inspecting a rental unit is to ensure a systematic and thorough evaluation of the property’s condition. By creating a checklist in advance, you have a detailed list of items and areas to inspect, allowing you to methodically go through each point and document any issues or concerns you may find.
Rental inspection checklists are typically used by landlords, property managers, or their representatives who are responsible for conducting inspections of rental units. Although primarily used by owners, rental inspection checklists are also a valuable record for tenants since they provide proper documentation on the state of the property before, during, and after the tenant’s occupancy.
In general, conducting at least one move-in inspection and one move-out inspection is recommended to document the condition of the rental unit at the beginning and end of the tenancy. Additionally, periodic inspections every 6-12 months or as specified by local regulations can help ensure the property is well-maintained and address any issues proactively.
SafetyCulture is the world’s most powerful checklist app. Landlords and property managers can use this to perform paperless rental inspections using either a smartphone or tablet device. Key benefits include the ability for you to:
Landlords or property managers can use this apartment inspection checklist to perform a move-in inspection with the tenant. Record the overall condition of the apartment upon moving in and compare with a move-out report after the tenancy period. Capture electronic signatures of the tenant and landlord. This can also be used as a quarterly rental inspection checklist to show tenants that the property managers are committed to maintaining the good condition of rental properties.
Inspection template Powered byThis rental property inspection checklist can help serve as a formal agreement that helps reinforce accountability on both parties regarding damage in the rental property during the move-out of a tenant. A move out inspection form is a tool used by landlords or property managers to conduct an inspection after the tenancy period. Compare the current condition of the property to its previous state and determine security deposits.
Article by SafetyCulture Content SpecialistJai Andales is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. As a content specialist, she creates well-researched articles about health and safety topics. She is also passionate about empowering businesses to utilize technology in building a culture of safety and quality.
Landlords or property managers can use this apartment inspection checklist to perform a move-in inspection with the tenant. Record the overall condition of the apartment upon moving in and compare with a move-out report after the tenancy period. Capture electronic signatures of the tenant and landlord. This can also be used as a quarterly rental inspection checklist to show tenants that the property managers are committed to maintaining the good condition of rental properties.
This rental property inspection checklist can help serve as a formal agreement that helps reinforce accountability on both parties regarding damage in the rental property during the move-out of a tenant. A move out inspection form is a tool used by landlords or property managers to conduct an inspection after the tenancy period. Compare the current condition of the property to its previous state and determine security deposits.