Move-in and move-out checklist: a printable inventory for rented homes
By Giridhar Reddy, founder of Domvio, Bengaluru
Published
A move-in checklist is a room-by-room list of everything in a rented home, from doors and taps to fans, appliances, meter readings and keys, with its condition noted on the day the tenant moves in. Owner and tenant sign it, then check the same list at move-out, so deposit deductions rest on a written record.
Move-in and move-out inventory checklist
Choose the rooms and how furnished the home is, tick what is there, and note each item's condition. Print it, or save it as a PDF, for both of you to sign. At move-out, open the same checklist on the same phone or computer and fill in the second column.
This checklist needs JavaScript. To make one by hand, draw a table for each room with four columns: item, quantity, condition at move-in and condition at move-out. Add rooms for meter readings (electricity, water, gas), keys and remotes, and photos. End with lines for the owner's and tenant's signatures and dates, once at move-in and once at move-out.
Saved on your device only
The checklist is kept in this browser so you can finish it at move-out. It is never sent to Domvio. On a shared computer, use "Start a new checklist" when you are done.
How to do a move-in inspection
Walk through together before handing over the keys
Owner (or caretaker) and tenant go round the home together, in daylight, with the checklist open. Doing it together is what makes the list hard to dispute later.
Go room by room, in the same order every time
Start at the main door and work round: walls, floor, windows, fans and lights, switches, then furniture and appliances. Switch on every fan, light, geyser and appliance, and run every tap and flush.
Write what you see, not "OK"
"Good", "two chips on the edge", "stain near the window", "remote missing". A short, specific note settles more arguments than a tick.
Photograph everything, including what is fine
Take a wide photo of each room and close-ups of any marks. Send them to each other on WhatsApp the same day, so both of you have a dated copy. Note in the checklist how many photos you took and where they are saved.
Read the meters and count the keys
Photograph the electricity, water and gas meters with the readings visible. Count every key, gate remote and access card handed over.
Both sign, each keeps a copy
Sign and date the move-in row. Attach the checklist to the rent agreement as the list of fittings and furniture (Annexure A in our rent agreement format).
What to check in each room
| Room | Check |
|---|---|
| Living room | Main door, lock and safety door; walls and paint; floor; windows, glass and grilles; fans, lights, switches and sockets; sofa, TV unit and AC if furnished |
| Kitchen | Counter, sink and taps (look underneath for leaks); tiles; cabinets and drawers; chimney or exhaust fan; water purifier; gas stove, fridge and microwave if provided |
| Bedrooms | Door and lock; walls; windows; fan and lights; wardrobe doors, shelves and keys; bed, mattress and AC if furnished |
| Bathrooms | Taps, shower and flush; wash basin; drains; tiles and grout; geyser; exhaust fan; mirror and cabinet |
| Balcony and utility | Floor and drain; railing or grille; washing machine point; drying stand |
| Meters | Electricity, water and piped gas meter numbers and readings; number of LPG cylinders |
| Keys | Main door, bedroom and wardrobe keys; letter box key; gate or parking remote; access cards |
At move-out: check against the same list
Inspect together, with the move-in column in front of you
Go round in the same order and fill in the move-out column. Take photos from the same angles as at move-in.
Take the final meter readings
The difference between the two readings settles the last electricity and water bills.
Collect every key, remote and card
Compare with the number handed over at move-in. A missing key is a lock change; write it down now rather than argue about it later.
Sign the move-out row and send the settlement
List each deduction with its reason, for example "broken wardrobe hinge: ₹600, bill attached". Our deposit refund statement works out the balance and prints it as a letter.
Most rent agreements let the owner deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear, not for the home simply getting older. The checklist is what shows the difference: faded paint after a year is age, but a cracked tile marked "Good" at move-in is damage. Read what owners in Bengaluru can and cannot deduct in our guide to security deposit rules in Bangalore.
Using the checklist for a PG bed or a room
For a PG bed or a single room, untick the rooms you do not let and add the resident's own items: bed, mattress, pillow, cupboard and its key, study table, chair. Shared rooms still need a meter or electricity note if residents pay their share; see the PG electricity bill calculator. The PG notice period and move-out checklist covers the rest of a PG resident's exit.
Keep the checklist with the rent records
At move-out you need three things: the signed checklist, the agreement, and proof of which months' rent was paid. Keep a rent receipt for every month.
Receipts for every month, without the paperwork
Domvio reminds each tenant on WhatsApp before rent is due, with a UPI link to your own account, and sends a PDF receipt to you and the tenant for every payment you confirm, UPI or cash. It stores the lease and KYC documents with the tenant. It is free during early access. See the rent collection app.
Once the tenant moves in, Domvio sends the WhatsApp rent reminder every month, with a UPI link to your own account and a PDF receipt when they pay. Free during early access.
Try Domvio freeFrequently asked questions
What should a move-in checklist include?
Every room's walls, floor, doors, windows, fans, lights and switches, the furniture and appliances provided, the electricity, water and gas meter readings, the keys and remotes handed over, and a note of the photos taken. Leave a column for the condition at move-out.
Who should sign the move-in checklist?
The owner (or the person managing the home) and the tenant, once at move-in and again at move-out. Each keeps a signed copy, and one is attached to the rent agreement.
How does a move-in checklist help with the security deposit?
It shows the condition of each item on the day the tenant moved in. At move-out, a deduction backed by the checklist and a photo is easy to explain. See security deposit rules in Bangalore.
Should I take photos as well as fill in the checklist?
Yes. Photograph every room and every mark, and the meters with readings visible. Sharing them on WhatsApp the same day gives both sides a dated copy.
Can I fill in the checklist on my phone?
Yes. It works in the browser and is saved on that phone, so you can open it again at move-out. Print it or save it as a PDF from the print window to share it.
Does Domvio do move-in inspections?
No. Use this free checklist for the inspection. Domvio sends WhatsApp rent reminders with a UPI link, logs cash payments and sends a PDF receipt for every payment, so the rent side of the move-out is already on record.
Stop chasing rent every month
Domvio reminds your tenants on WhatsApp, takes rent straight to your UPI ID and sends PDF receipts automatically. Free during early access.