Use our template for a tenant move-out checklist to determine a property’s condition and decide how much of the security deposit to return.
Tenants come and go every day. When someone decides not to sign a new lease agreement and moves out of your rental property, you need to take steps to ensure the rental is ready for the next tenant. That process starts with completing a move-out checklist.
Conducting a thorough inspection of the property ensures that the tenant has followed the lease agreement and is leaving the property in good condition. It reminds them of their responsibilities for leaving the home clean and in good shape. It also serves as the basis for whether tenants get their security deposit back.
When tenants move out, make completing the checklist part of the move-out process, just like informing them of where to leave the keys to the home. Essentially, it ensures that landlords and tenants are all on the same page and protects everyone from any disputes that come up.
Here’s a look at what a move-out inspection is and why it’s important. We’ve even included a sample tenant move-out checklist that you can use.
What is a tenant move-out checklist?
A move-out checklist is a form that landlords fill out when a tenant moves out. Usually, landlords have already completed the same form when that same renter moved it. In both instances, landlords should use the checklist as they conduct their walk-through inspection to note the condition of each room in the rental property.
Landlords should compare the move-out checklist to the move-in inspection and make a note of any changes or damage outside of normal wear and tear. Then, deduct any repairs from the deposit that the tenant paid when they moved in. The move-out checklist helps you decide how much of the deposit the tenant should receive — all of it or just part of it.
Why do you need a move-out inspection checklist?
The inspection and move-out checklist protects landlords and tenants. It ensures no one is leaving money on the table and that the apartment is well maintained. The landlord should schedule the inspection as soon after the move-out date as possible so that you can get the home ready for the next renter and fill any vacancies quickly.
Using a checklist makes the inspection much easier. It’s a concise way for landlords to check for property damage, hold tenants accountable if they caused the damage and prepare the home for a new tenant. It also helps you keep the apartment rented which keeps costs down.
As a landlord, standardizing the move-out inspection process with a checklist also ensures that each tenant receives equal treatment. Fairness in housing is crucial, so it’s vital that you use the same criteria for old and new tenants alike.
Checklists ensure everyone is complying with the lease agreement
Landlords and tenants each have responsibilities outlined in a lease. The agreement specifies how much notice a tenant should give before moving out and whether they need to give written notice.
The lease also includes details about a tenant’s responsibilities for maintaining the rental property and provisions for how to handle security deposits. For example, tenants are responsible for cleaning windows and walls or doing yard work and will get their money refunded only if the home has been thoroughly cleaned.
Landlords also have responsibilities for making repairs in a timely manner, responding to complaints and issues keeping the property in a safe, livable condition. They’re also responsible for conducting an inspection and returning a tenant’s deposit efficiently.
A move-out inspection ensures both landlords and tenants are complying with the lease and fulfilling their responsibilities. It also documents any changes in the property’s condition so you know who’s responsible.
It helps with security deposit disputes
Comparing a move-in inspection to the move-out walk-through identifies when damage beyond wear and tear occurred. This helps landlords determine if a previous tenant caused the damage and what needs repairs or cleaning before a new tenant moves in.
The move-out checklist also makes it easy for landlords to tally up whether to return the full security deposit or if tenants will receive a portion of their deposit minus the cost of repairs.
A move-out inspection provides evidence that can reduce the likelihood of disputes among landlords and tenants over who’s responsible for damage and how much security deposit to return.
If the tenant moved without telling you or providing a move-out date, that would be considered a lease violation. In this case, the landlord typically would not have to return any money to the tenant.
How to conduct a move-out inspection
Once a tenant lets you know that they’re moving out of the apartment, it’s important to set a move-out date. Then, the landlord should schedule a time to complete the inspection after that date passes.
Be sure to ask the tenant for their new address so that you can contact them about any problems and have their security deposit returned. You also may want to provide tenants with a copy of the report.
Remind the tenant to remove all of their belongings from the apartment, and that cleaning and trash removal are part of the lease. Also, tell them where to leave the keys before they head to their new place.
Make sure tenants don’t forget to switch over their utilities before they move. They should also contact the post office to forward their mail.
What should a tenant move-out checklist include?
The move-out inspection should include a space to document the condition of various aspects of each room in the apartment. Make the checklist an itemized list that covers the exterior areas and any issues inside.
Landlords should fill out the form both at move in and move out, date every item and note any discrepancies. As a landlord, this helps you track everything so that you can coordinate repairs and maintenance before the next tenant and process the return of the previous tenant’s deposit.
The move-out checklist should include:
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Light fixtures and light bulbs
- Clean windows
- Blinds and other treatments on the windows
- Markings, scratches or scrapes on the walls
- Appliances, like the refrigerator and dishwasher
- Condition after cleaning
Include a comments section to fill in any details about each room. Some items may be whether it’s been given a deep clean or if food or trash has been left out.
Free sample tenant move-out checklist
To help you in the process of completing a thorough inspection, we’ve created a sample checklist that you can download and fill out. Reuse the checklist with each renter to streamline the moving in and moving out processes.
The value of the tenant move-out checklist
A tenant move-out checklist should include a place for the landlord to document the condition of all aspects of the property before someone moves in and when the same renter moves out. Having a standard process to perform an inspection and fill out a checklist will make it easy to transition from one renter to the next, saving you time and money.
The checklist also ensures a tenant understands what their responsibilities are when they choose not to renew their lease. This includes how they can turn over the keys to the rental and how they get their deposit back.
Source: rent.com