What should be on a move-out inspection checklist?

A thorough move-out inspection checks walls, floors, ceilings, windows, outlets, doors, and trim in every room, plus appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. Don't skip the entryway, exterior, patio, and any storage areas — disputed deductions often hinge on areas the landlord forgot to document.

Do I need to do a move-out inspection if my state doesn't require it?

Yes. Even in states with no statutory inspection requirement, landlords who fail to document the unit's move-out condition lose roughly three out of four contested deposit claims. The inspection report is your evidence — without it, the dispute reduces to your word against the tenant's.

Should the tenant be present at the move-out inspection?

When possible, yes. Several states (CA, MD, MA, others) require landlords to offer a pre-move-out inspection so the tenant can fix issues before deductions are taken. Even where it isn't required, tenant presence reduces dispute risk because the tenant can't later claim damage was pre-existing.

How long do I have to return the security deposit after move-out?

It varies by state — typically 14 to 60 days. Texas and Florida give 30 days; California 21; New York 14. Missing the deadline can void your right to deduct anything, even for documented damage. Check your state's deadline on our state laws page.

What's the difference between damage and normal wear and tear?

Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration that happens with ordinary use — sun-faded paint, light carpet wear in walking paths, small nail holes from picture hangers. Damage is anything caused by negligence, abuse, or accident — pet stains, large holes, broken fixtures, burns. Only damage is deductible from the deposit.

Can I use this checklist for move-in inspections too?

Yes. Run the same checklist at move-in to establish baseline condition, and at move-out to compare. The two documents together are the strongest possible evidence in a deposit dispute or small-claims case.

MoveOutReport

Free template · updated for 2026

The move-out inspection checklist landlords actually use.

Room-by-room. Every wall, every fixture, every place a tenant disputes a deduction. Print it, walk the unit once, then either send the deposit refund yourself or run the same walkthrough through MoveOutReport for an itemized report with damage estimates and lease citations.

Jump to checklist ↓Skip the paper — generate a report →

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How to use this checklist.

The checklist is the easy part — using it correctly is what makes it defensible in a dispute.

1.
Print or open the checklist before you walk the unit
Bring it on a clipboard or open it on your phone. Don't try to remember everything — checking items off in real time is what makes the document defensible.
2.
Walk the unit room by room with the checklist
For each item, mark OK / Issue / Skip. Take a wide photo of every room and a close-up photo of every Issue. The photo is the evidence.
3.
Compare to the move-in baseline
Anything new since move-in is potentially deductible. Anything that existed at move-in is not. If you don't have a move-in inspection, normal-wear items are not deductible.
4.
Itemize deductions with cost estimates and lease citations
For each deduction, note the cost (regional pricing or contractor quote) and the lease clause it violates. Send the itemization with the deposit refund within your state's statutory deadline.

The checklist

Room-by-room inspection items.

Adapted for a 2BR/2BA unit. Add or remove rooms to match your property. The same items apply whether it’s a studio or a house.

Entryway

5 items

Front door — paint, hardware, weatherstrip, peephole
Locks + deadbolt — operate cleanly, all keys returned
Floor / mat area — stains, scratches
Walls — scuffs from furniture move-in/out
Coat closet (if any) — rod, shelf, door

Living Room

7 items

Walls — TV mount holes, scuffs, dents, paint marks
Floor — scratches from furniture, stains, traffic wear
Ceiling — fan, light fixture, water marks
Windows — cracks, screens, blinds, drapes
Outlets & switches — cracked plates, missing covers
Fireplace (if any) — soot, damaged surround, broken doors
Trim & baseboards — chips, separation, paint marks

Kitchen

11 items

Cabinets & drawers — fronts, hinges, soft-close, interior
Countertops — chips, burns, deep scratches, stains
Stove top + burners — grease buildup, cracked glass, missing knobs
Oven interior — baked-on residue, broken racks, door seal
Fridge interior — shelves, drawers, seals, ice/water dispenser
Microwave — interior, turntable, vent
Dishwasher — racks, spray arm, gasket, filter
Sink + faucet — chips, leaks, garbage disposal
Backsplash — cracked tile, missing grout, stains
Floor — stains, scratches, missing toe-kick
Walls — splatter, scuffs, holes

Primary Bedroom

8 items

Walls — nail holes, scuffs, anchor pulls, paint touch-ups
Floor / carpet — stains, tears, pet damage, traffic wear
Ceiling — water marks, fan condition, light fixture
Closet — rod, shelves, doors, interior walls
Windows — cracks, screens, blinds, sill damage
Door — hinges, knob, latch, kick marks
Outlets & switches — cracked plates, exposed wires
Trim & baseboards — chips, separation from wall

Bedroom 2

8 items

Walls — nail holes, scuffs, anchor pulls, paint touch-ups
Floor / carpet — stains, tears, pet damage, traffic wear
Ceiling — water marks, fan condition, light fixture
Closet — rod, shelves, doors, interior walls
Windows — cracks, screens, blinds, sill damage
Door — hinges, knob, latch, kick marks
Outlets & switches — cracked plates, exposed wires
Trim & baseboards — chips, separation from wall

Primary Bathroom

10 items

Toilet — bowl, base, tank, seat, flush function
Vanity + sink — chips, stains, faucet leaks, drawer fronts
Mirror + medicine cabinet — cracks, missing fixtures
Shower / tub — chips, stains, mold, missing caulk, broken tile
Shower door / curtain rod — glass, hinges, anchors
Exhaust fan — works, clean cover
Tile + grout — cracked, missing, stained, mildewed
Floor — water damage, soft spots, stains
Walls — paint peeling near shower, scuffs, holes
Towel bars / TP holder — pulled out of wall, missing

Bathroom 2

10 items

Toilet — bowl, base, tank, seat, flush function
Vanity + sink — chips, stains, faucet leaks, drawer fronts
Mirror + medicine cabinet — cracks, missing fixtures
Shower / tub — chips, stains, mold, missing caulk, broken tile
Shower door / curtain rod — glass, hinges, anchors
Exhaust fan — works, clean cover
Tile + grout — cracked, missing, stained, mildewed
Floor — water damage, soft spots, stains
Walls — paint peeling near shower, scuffs, holes
Towel bars / TP holder — pulled out of wall, missing

Exterior / Patio

6 items

Entry door exterior — paint, weatherstrip, screen door
Patio / balcony floor — stains, cracks, planter damage
Railing / fence — loose, rusted, missing balusters
Siding / exterior walls — dents, holes, paint damage
Yard (if any) — dead spots, debris, sprinkler heads
Exterior lights / fixtures — broken, missing bulbs

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Common questions

Move-out inspection FAQ.

What should be on a move-out inspection checklist?: A thorough move-out inspection checks walls, floors, ceilings, windows, outlets, doors, and trim in every room, plus appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. Don't skip the entryway, exterior, patio, and any storage areas — disputed deductions often hinge on areas the landlord forgot to document.
Do I need to do a move-out inspection if my state doesn't require it?: Yes. Even in states with no statutory inspection requirement, landlords who fail to document the unit's move-out condition lose roughly three out of four contested deposit claims. The inspection report is your evidence — without it, the dispute reduces to your word against the tenant's.
Should the tenant be present at the move-out inspection?: When possible, yes. Several states (CA, MD, MA, others) require landlords to offer a pre-move-out inspection so the tenant can fix issues before deductions are taken. Even where it isn't required, tenant presence reduces dispute risk because the tenant can't later claim damage was pre-existing.
How long do I have to return the security deposit after move-out?: It varies by state — typically 14 to 60 days. Texas and Florida give 30 days; California 21; New York 14. Missing the deadline can void your right to deduct anything, even for documented damage. Check your state's deadline on our state laws page.
What's the difference between damage and normal wear and tear?: Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration that happens with ordinary use — sun-faded paint, light carpet wear in walking paths, small nail holes from picture hangers. Damage is anything caused by negligence, abuse, or accident — pet stains, large holes, broken fixtures, burns. Only damage is deductible from the deposit.
Can I use this checklist for move-in inspections too?: Yes. Run the same checklist at move-in to establish baseline condition, and at move-out to compare. The two documents together are the strongest possible evidence in a deposit dispute or small-claims case.