Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist

Tenant/landlord walk-through checklists are important for anyone who considers a residential lease, but is especially important for apartment complexes, whose tenants might have a high turn-around, and damages to the property are more frequent.

A tenant/landlord walk-through checklist gives a detailed summary of any damage or problems with the dwelling before and after a tenant moves into the property. A walk-through should be scheduled with the landlord to look over every aspect of the dwelling and note any pre-existing damage.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #1: Rooms

Divide the entire dwelling into individual rooms on the checklist. Have a section for the living area, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchen, storage areas, porches/balconies and study, regardless of how many rooms exist. This will help to specifically identify problems, and will keep most ambiguities from happening.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #2: Floors

The floors should be the first item on each room’s checklist, and should have a space for carpeting, tile, vinyl and wood floors, depending on what types of floors are in the dwelling. The tenant or landlord can note stains, tears, holes, chips and any other problem that affects the floors.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #3: Walls

The walls are important because most tenants will hang pictures and/or knick-knacks on the walls, which might create holes or dents. Note any peeling paint, shredded wallpaper, holes, chips or inconsistent coloring.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #4: Woodwork

Have a section for all woodwork in the dwelling, including cabinets, doors, door jambs, and crown moldings. Any chips in the wood should be noted, as well as doors or cabinets that do not seal properly. Make sure not to forget the insides of cabinets and closets, as these places often present problems that are overlooked.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #5: Fixtures

Make sure that all sinks, bathtubs, lights, and toilets are in proper working conditions. Note stains that might have been caused by rust or hard water and any drainage problems.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #6: Appliances

Most apartments and homes comes with at least a few appliances, which should be in good working order. The refrigerator, microwave, washer, dryer, garbage disposal, dish washer and other appliances should be completely serviceable. Make sure to turn on the refrigerator to make sure that it cools and freezes properly.

Tenant/Landlord Walk-Through Checklist #7: Additional Amenities

There should be additional sections on the walk-through checklist that deal with amenities, such as fireplaces, storage areas, provided furniture, blinds, and other amenities that are included in the lease. If there are problems with any of them, they should be replaced before the tenant moves in.