The Ultimate Apartment Inspection Checklist

Creating an apartment inspection checklist is a must-do before moving into a new rental. It helps keep you focused on any existing issues and puts you in control of the move-in and move-out process. A good rental condition checklist can also protect your security deposit and help prevent misunderstandings with your landlord.

We've put together a guide to everything you need to look out for before you start packing your boxes. Here's how to put together your own apartment inspection checklist that will help keep you organized during your apartment search.

Why Should I Use an Apartment Inspection Checklist?

Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but it's easy to overlook some of your unit's major flaws until you've already moved in. Especially considering your landlord and lease terms, you need to do an inspection before or during move in to avoid being held liable for any pre-existing damage you didn't put in writing.

Ideally, your landlord should do the apartment walkthrough and inspection with you so you can discuss the issues as you see them. Everything should either be noted in your lease terms as existing damage or taken care of promptly by your landlord or property manager.

How to Prepare for an Apartment Walkthrough

When you arrive with your walk through inspection checklist, bring a fully charged smartphone to take photos of any potential issues or physical damage you notice. For example, you may see a broken light fixture or chips on your baseboards. Take a picture and make note of that on your form.

You can use a notebook app on your phone or bring along a pen and paper to document the damage and provide a paper trail to your landlord. Being over-prepared and proactive can keep you out of court over squabbles about your security deposit, but it also shows you're invested in taking good care of your apartment.

What to Look for During Your Apartment Walkthrough

Now that you have your phone, notebook, and paper ready, it's time to inspect your new apartment. Here's what to add to your apartment walkthrough checklist.

Examine the Exterior

It's easy to overlook the exterior of your new place, but it's a crucial part of your apartment inspection checklist.

• Doors: Check to see if your exterior doors are free from damage, fully operational, and able to shut and seal properly without sticking.
• Locks: Make sure your exterior locks work and that you have the proper keys for each lock. Ensure that none of your locks stick and that your windows also have functional locks.
• Windows: Look for cracks in the glass panes of your windows and check to see that they open and close smoothly and securely.
• Porch, Patio, or Balcony: If you score an apartment with outdoor space, look for secured railings and any chips or cracks in the flooring, walls, or structure. Check that no gaps or raised tiles could cause you or a guest to trip and fall.
• Overall exterior: If you're renting a single-family home or townhouse, look at the house's overall exterior. Make peeling paint, sagging gutters, and raised or cracked pavement part of your rental home inspection checklist.

Things like landscaping aren't typically a part of an apartment walkthrough but could be worth mentioning. For example, if you're renting a single-family home or garden apartment and the outdoor space is in disarray, notate it in your tenant walkthrough checklist and clarify who is responsible for maintaining it.

Inspect the Interior

After thoroughly inspecting your apartment's exterior, it's time to look at the interior.

• Walls: Are your walls free from dings, holes, and other damage? It's also worth noting if there are paint splatters.
• Flooring: What's going on with the floors in your apartment? Are they cracked, chipped, or peeling? Is your carpet worn? Make a note of it in your apartment inspection checklist.
• Ceiling: Most renters don't think to look at the ceiling, but a dark stain could signal a plumbing problem from the unit above.
• Laundry: If your apartment comes with laundry units, turn them off and on or do a test load of laundry if you've already signed the lease.
• Countertops: Inspect your bathroom and kitchen or kitchenette countertops for any stains, chips, or visible damage.

Write down anything unusual that you notice. You may not think that a strange dip in the floor is a big deal, but it could signal a bigger problem. Having a record of it could save you a big headache in the long run.

Check the Electrical Systems

It's also crucial to check your apartment's overall electricity and electrical systems.

• Outlets and Light Switches: Take the time to plug in a device to each outlet to see if they work. If one doesn't work, flip on the light switches in the room. There’s a chance that the outlet is wired to it.
• Lighting: Turn on every light and switch to ensure none are burnt out. Remember, your stove should also have an interior light that can be turned off and on.
• Circuit Breakers: If you're renting a townhouse or a single-family home, check the circuit breaker box to see if the fuses are all in order.

If something is wrong with your electricity, don't try to fix it yourself. It could be dangerous, and your lease may require the work to be done by a licensed electrician.

Test Your Appliances

Appliances can age quickly and may have issues before you even sign the lease. Here's what to test.

• Fridge and Freezer: Open your refrigerator and freezer and touch the inside shelves to ensure everything is as cold as expected. If you have an ice maker, check that it produces an adequate supply.
• Dishwasher: Open your dishwasher to check that the door works properly, and test a few dishes to see how well it works.
• Oven: Turn on your oven to see if it heats up and stays on.
• Microwave: Put a cup of water in the microwave to ensure it warms it up quickly and doesn't make any unusual noises.** **
• Washer and Dryer: If your apartment has in-unit laundry, ensure both machines work and are in decent condition.

In addition to the usability of each appliance, your apartment move-in inspection checklist should include signs of wear and tear. Look for scratches on the surfaces of the appliances.

Examine the Plumbing

Add your sink faucets, shower, and tub as part of your rental inspection checklist.

• Shower and Tub: Turn on your shower and tub and run the water — both hot and cold — to check for temperature issues. The water should also run clear and be free from dirt or rusty colors.
• Sinks: Run all the sinks and check that the drains aren’t clogged. If the water hasn't been used in a while, it may sputter briefly before running normally again.
• Toilets: Your toilet should flush properly, fill to normal levels, and stop running after a few moments. Gurgling sounds or slow drainage could indicate a clog or a more serious issue.
• Outdoor Hose Spigots: If you're renting a townhouse or a single-family home, you may have outdoor hose spigots. Check that they all work and ask how to maintain them in winter to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Like electrical work, plumbing repairs should only be performed by licensed professionals. Doing it yourself could make the issue worse, making you liable for the problem.

Check the Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are an integral part of the interior of your apartment inspection checklist. Here's what to look for.

• Blinds: If your apartment comes with blinds, pull them up and down to look for damage or usability issues.
• Screens: Any window screens should be free from holes and rips and attach securely to your windows. If they slide up and down, make sure they work smoothly and don't fall out of the window panes.
• Interior Doors: Check your interior doors for cracks, chips, and doorknob problems. They should all shut properly and stay closed until you turn the knob.
• Window Sills: Look to see if your window sills are in good shape. Are they free from cracks, chips, and other damage?

Remember, you may have doors and windows you're not necessarily aware of. Don’t forget to add closet doors and small bathroom windows to your apartment walkthrough checklist.

Inspect All Safety Features

Your safety features are vital for your protection and should be thoroughly inspected.

• Outdoor Lighting: Your outdoor lighting should work properly and adequately illuminate walkways and your front door. Ideally, you want motion detector lights outside a ground-floor unit or townhouse rental.
• Interior and Exterior Locks: All locks outside and inside your apartment should work correctly. Check that you have the key to all locks. Ask when they were changed last and who else has copies of the keys.
• Alarm System: Some apartments come with alarm systems. You may need to pay extra for the service, or your landlord may take care of it and should fix any issues.

Problems with your safety features aren't something to let go of. Ensure they all work correctly to protect your personal safety and peace of mind.

Test the Heating and Cooling Systems

Heating and cooling issues can make your life miserable as a renter, making these elements an essential part of your apartment inspection.

• Thermostat: Test your thermostat (if you have one) and turn on your AC and/or heat to ensure it's responsive. If you have a smart thermostat, check to see if it works with the relevant smartphone apps.
• Air Conditioning: Your rental property inspection should include turning your air conditioning off and on to determine if it functions efficiently.
• Heat: If you control your own heat, turn it on to test if your apartment warms up. Monitor each vent to feel if heat is coming from each of them.

Look for anything that could impact the temperature and your comfort in your apartment, such as fans, and test them out as part of your apartment rental checklist.

Make Your Move: Start Apartment Hunting with Apartment List

An apartment inspection checklist is a thorough document that takes the guesswork out of what's going on with your new place. You'll have a clear idea of what's working and what's not and have documentation to take to your landlord or ask questions about the next steps. Should there be any issues, the landlord walkthrough checklist should notate it on your lease as existing damage and/or fix it so you’re in the clear regarding future disputes.

Do you have your apartment checklist ready? Are you looking for a new place to live? Sign up with Apartment List and start looking for your next place with confidence! With us, you’ll spend 5 minutes and save 50 hours searching.