How to walk a rental

When to walk

Do one walkthrough before you unpack, while the rooms are empty and the light is good. Do another when you are moving out, after the furniture is gone and before you hand over the keys.

What to cover in each room

Turn the lights on. Look at the whole room, then the details.

• Walls, ceiling, and floor
• Windows, screens, and doors
• Closets, if you can open them
• Lights, outlets, and other fixtures
• Appliances you are allowed to open, such as the fridge and the oven

How to photograph a mark

For a stain, crack, chip, or anything missing, take one wide photo so the spot is obvious in the room, and one close photo so the detail is visible. Then set the condition and write a short note in words. A photo without a sentence is harder to understand later.

Save it the same day

Export the PDF and put it in your own files. Email a copy to yourself. Share it with the landlord if you want both of you to be holding the same record. Also save a backup from the home screen, so you can open the same walkthrough on a new phone.

This is your personal record. It is not a legal filing, and it does not decide a deposit. Your lease, and the rules where you live, do that.