Last Updated June 27, 2023
A Rental Inspection Report is also known as:
- Property inspection report
- Rental inspection checklist template
- Landlord inspection report
What is a Rental Inspection Report? Do I need one?
If you’re moving into a new home or renting out your residential property, you should use a Residential Inspection Report.
A Rental Inspection Report is a document that landlords and tenants alike use to protect themselves when entering into a new Residential Tenancy Agreement. The report records the state of the property before a tenant moves into the property. This way, if any damages to the property occurred before the lease began, the landlord knows the new tenant isn’t responsible for them.
The landlord and tenant should use this document twice—once before the tenant moves in and again when their tenancy agreement ends, and they are ready to move out. This way, when the tenant moves out, a landlord can determine if any damages to the property are the tenant’s fault.
Who inspects rental properties?
A landlord and tenant should inspect the property together, both before the tenancy begins and again after the tenant moves out. Completing a Rental Inspection Report protects both the tenant and the landlord. Because both parties are at risk for liabilities, both should be present during the initial inspection and the move-out inspection.
How do I prepare for a rental inspection?
Before a landlord and tenant finalise a rental agreement, they should arrange a time to meet together at the rental property to conduct an inspection. One party (usually the landlord) should prepare a Rental Inspection Report in advance.
Using our free rental inspection checklist template, you can select specific items to feature on the document, such as the number of entryways. This allows you to personalise every document for the property it represents, ensuring that nothing is skipped over or forgotten about during the inspection.
If you’re a landlord renting out your property, it’s a good idea to examine the property yourself first to see if anything might cause concern during the tenant walkthrough. This way, you can start on any major repairs needed before the tenant sees them.
How do you do a tenant walkthrough?
Together, the landlord and tenant should conduct a walkthrough of the property, checking for pre-existing damages before the new tenancy starts. Using our Rental Inspection Report template, create a customised rental walkthrough checklist that allows you to note the property’s specific features.
First, the template will ask if your property has a garage, basement, or yard present. Choose how many of the following architectural features are present in the property:
- Entryways: Check the locks on all the doors. Make sure the doorbell is in good working order. If the property is a flat, check to make sure that the buzzer system works.
- Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways: Check that the windows open and close properly. Look at the floors and walls for damage. Turn on any lights or AC units.
- Kitchen: Turn on the oven to make sure it’s working. Make sure the burners and interior are clean. Check that the fridge is in working condition. The sink should drain properly, and the faucet shouldn’t leak. Make sure you check any other appliances.
- Bathroom: Check the sinks and tub to make sure they drain properly. All the faucets and showerheads should be leak-free. Make sure the toilet works. If there are any tiles, check to see if there are any with cracks.
- Balcony/deck: Make sure that the door functions properly. Check that the balcony is clean and structurally sound. Ensure that any outdoor lights are working.
- Stairway: Stairs should be safe and in good repair. Check for any damages.
When examining each feature, look for things like dents or scratches on the walls and floors. Note any holes or cracks. If the property has carpet, make a note of its condition. Check all the windows, appliances, faucets, and lights. Turn everything on to check if it is working. You should also check the outlets for power, which can be done easily with a phone charger. Also, note the cleanliness of the property.
How do you fill out a rental inspection checklist?
During the landlord inspection, note any damages or issues on the document under “Conditions at Move-In”.
If any significant damages need repair before the tenant moves in, the rental move-in inspection is the time to note them. Our document has a space to list the completed repairs, including a space for the tenant’s initials to acknowledge the repair’s completion.
Even if there are minor damages that the landlord doesn’t need to fix, such as cosmetic issues like small dents or chipped countertops, you should still make note of them on the Rental Inspection Report.
The document also contains a second space to fill out once the tenant’s tenancy ends. The landlord and tenant should complete another walkthrough together before the tenant returns control of the property to the landlord. At this point, the landlord can evaluate the property and see if the tenant caused any damages during the lease. There’s a place on the document to list any damages noticed during the move-out inspection. The tenant must initial next to these damages to confirm that they’re aware of them.
