Apartment move-in checklist (apartments, tenant, inspection, house)

[vansgirl]

My family is about to move into an apartment next month. From my past experiences, the move-in day checklist apartments make you fill out can make or break your move-out experience. I am SO tired of being charged for things that are (in my opinion) unnecessary and ridiculous.

Does anyone have any tips for how to make the move-in process less painful? And ways to cover my butt so that I'm not charged for silly things when we want to leave?

Thanks!

[ShaneSA]

Do a walk through before you move in and mark down any and all chips, dips, scratches, mars. Anything that may seem silly or not important...write it down. Best bet is to take pictures or a video and keep it in a safe place. Present a copy of any list to the LL and let him/her know that you have inspected and accepted the imperfections. If possible have the LL present during the walk through. Sometimes a LL does not know or see those things that are minor. I am a LL and after make ready and working on a unit, you tend to not see minor stuff when you have made a major improvement.

[MrRational]

With a digital camera with date stamp and something like that days newspaper as well...
take way more many pictures than you could possibly think you'll need. If you have video too then
use that as well to go along with all the written.

[NY Annie]

I've nothing to add that the two above posters haven't covered. Just throwing my weight behind their advice.

[KonaKat]

The most important thing is, if at all possible, request a move in walkthrough WITH the landlord, property manager, owner - whomever it is. And yes, make detailed notes and take photographs. Have the LL sign off on a copy of both the inspection report and, (what I do is) print all the photos out simply 4 to 6 to a sheet B&W. Just having those hard copies stapled to the inspection report carries a lot of weight either way. Obviously I'm a property manager but I have no problem with tenants who do the same thing. I've heard plenty of horror stories from tenants who have been moved into a dirty house then expected to leave it spotless, or get charged for cleaning, upon move out.

[Koale]

Originally Posted by vansgirl

My family is about to move into an apartment next month. From my past experiences, the move-in day checklist apartments make you fill out can make or break your move-out experience. I am SO tired of being charged for things that are (in my opinion) unnecessary and ridiculous.

Does anyone have any tips for how to make the move-in process less painful? And ways to cover my butt so that I'm not charged for silly things when we want to leave?

Thanks!

is to be sure you are the one in control of the 'Check List'. Make all notes and be sure to sign it and get a copy right then and there. Do not do a walk through and allow that list out of our sight. Mark down everything...every scratch on the floor / discoloration in carpet/warping in cupboards...etc etc etc...everything.
Koale

[Ultrarunner]

Don't forget to request a pre-move inspection prior to vacating... it is actually mandatory for the Landlord to offer this in California.

I find it helps to avoid misunderstandings and well worth the effort.

Can't stress enough at a pre-move how important it is for the tenant not to leave anything behind... those couple of boxes of trash, time spent cleaning appliances, disposing of cast-offs are all chargeable.

When I lease, all smoke detectors are in place and operational, towel racks are not broken, doors are undamaged and all lights work and no outlets are broken.

If you have taken pictures and made notes at move-in... move-out should be a breeze and you will have the proof should questions come up...

Had to charge one tenant for tossing all the aluminum blinds... my owner bought high end blinds with lifetime warranties... the tenant decided after two years she wanted a change and tossed 12 blinds... later she was incensed at the charge because she said anyone can go to Walmart and buy blinds for a couple of bucks each

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Don't forget to request a pre-move inspection prior to vacating... it is actually mandatory for the Landlord to offer this in California.

I find it helps to avoid misunderstandings and well worth the effort.

Can't stress enough at a pre-move how important it is for the tenant not to leave anything behind... those couple of boxes of trash, time spent cleaning appliances, disposing of cast-offs are all chargeable.

When I lease, all smoke detectors are in place and operational, towel racks are not broken, doors are undamaged and all lights work and no outlets are broken.

If you have taken pictures and made notes at move-in... move-out should be a breeze and you will have the proof should questions come up...

Had to charge one tenant for tossing all the aluminum blinds... my owner bought high end blinds with lifetime warranties... the tenant decided after two years she wanted a change and tossed 12 blinds... later she was incensed at the charge because she said anyone can go to Walmart and buy blinds for a couple of bucks each

I had one who threw away all the matching paint for touchups (a whole 2 cans, no less) because "Oh, it was in my way". So instead of a small bill for minor touchups she had a bigger bill because the painter had to come out, go match the paint and buy another gallon of each color. <sigh> Now I be sure and tell them "Don't throw out the paint"! LOL

[jamies]

In my state it is law that we have to use a move-in/out checklist form. We check everything, we photograph everything. At move out we use the same list. At move in and out we give a phamphlet that distinguished between wear and tear and damage. (Traffic wear on rug is OK, stains are not. Scuffed door knob is wear, dented door knob is not. Dirt on door by handle is cleaning, not wear and tear.)

Your best defense is to take your own pictures. As a landlord I have no problem with this. But to my knowledge not one tenant has ever done it.