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Move-In Photo Checklist
Document every inch of your new apartment on day one. This is how you get your full deposit back when you leave.
How to use this
Take photos of every item below before you unpack a single box. Then email all photos to your landlord the same day with the subject line: “Move-in documentation — [your address] — [today’s date].” That email timestamp is your protection.
Your progress
0 of 52 items
Before you start photographing
- Turn on every light in every room so photos are clear
- Make sure your phone date and time are set correctly
- Film a short walkthrough video first, then photograph room by room
- If something is already broken or damaged, note it in writing to your landlord today
Entry & Front Door
0/6 ▼✓
Front door — both sides, full length
Look for scratches, dents, paint chips, gaps in the frame
✓
Door lock and deadbolt — test that both work smoothly
Photograph if either sticks, is loose, or looks worn
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Door frame and threshold
Cracks, gaps, damage to the frame itself
✓
Entryway floor and walls
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Any closet near entry — interior walls, floor, rod
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Light switches and outlets in entry area
Test that they work, photograph any cracks or damage
Living Room
0/7 ▼✓
All four walls — full length photos, corner to corner
Scuffs, holes, stains, water marks
✓
Floor — entire surface, photograph any stains, scratches, or worn areas
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Ceiling — water stains, cracks, paint condition
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Windows — frame, glass, locks, blinds or curtain rods
Open and close each window to test function
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All light fixtures — photograph any missing bulbs or damage
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All outlets and switches — test every outlet with a phone charger
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Baseboards and trim
Kitchen
0/11 ▼✓
All walls and floor
✓
Stove — all burners, inside oven, oven door, broiler drawer
Turn on each burner to confirm it works
✓
Refrigerator — exterior, interior shelves, freezer, door seals
Check that it’s cooling properly
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Dishwasher — interior, door seal, run a quick cycle if possible
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Microwave if built-in — interior, door, turntable
✓
All cabinets — inside and outside, hinges, handles
Open every single one. Check for pests, water damage, or mold
✓
Countertops — chips, burns, stains, cracks
✓
Sink — basin, faucet, under the sink cabinet
Run hot and cold water. Check under sink for leaks or water damage
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Range hood or exhaust fan — turn it on, photograph condition
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Garbage disposal if present — run it, photograph
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Outlets and switches in kitchen
Bathroom
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All walls — especially around tub and shower area
Look for mold, mildew, cracked grout, peeling paint
✓
Tub or shower — basin, walls, faucet, showerhead, drain
Run the shower and check water pressure and hot water
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Toilet — flush it, check for rocking or leaks at base
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Sink and vanity — basin, faucet, cabinet underneath
Check under sink for leaks, water stains, or mold
✓
Mirror and medicine cabinet if present
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Floor — tiles, grout, any water damage or staining
✓
Exhaust fan — turn it on, check it works
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Caulking around tub, sink, and toilet base
Cracked or missing caulk is a pre-existing condition. Photograph it.
✓
Towel bars, toilet paper holder, hooks — any that are loose or missing
Bedroom(s)
0/7 ▼✓
All four walls — full length, corner to corner
Repeat for each bedroom
✓
Floor — entire surface
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Ceiling — water marks, cracks, paint condition
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Windows — frame, locks, blinds or curtain rods
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Closet — interior walls, floor, rod, shelf, door
Check corners for mold or moisture
✓
All outlets, switches, and light fixtures
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Bedroom door — both sides, lock if present
Systems & Safety
0/7 ▼✓
Smoke detectors — test every one, photograph location
If any don’t work, notify landlord in writing immediately
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Carbon monoxide detector — test it
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Heating unit or HVAC — turn it on, confirm it works
Photograph the thermostat and the unit itself
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AC unit if present — turn it on, confirm it works
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Water heater — photograph, note any rust or leaks
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Electrical panel — photograph location and condition
Note if any breakers are already tripped
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Washer and dryer if in unit — run a short cycle on each
Final Step — Send It All
0/5 ▼✓
Film a final walkthrough video of the entire unit
Narrate as you go. Say the date out loud at the start.
✓
Back up all photos and video to cloud storage today
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Email photos to your landlord with subject: “Move-in documentation — [address] — [date]”
This timestamp is your legal protection
✓
Note any pre-existing damage in writing in the same email
List every issue clearly. “The carpet in the bedroom has a stain near the window.”
✓
Save a copy of the email and landlord’s reply (if any) in a dedicated folder
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