Move-in checklist for property managers
Apartment move-ins happen at the busiest time of the month for property managers. Make sure you don’t miss a beat for your residents or rental units with this move-in checklist.
Why do property managers need a rental property checklist?
When you’re preparing apartment move-ins, juggling move-outs, collecting rents, and bringing your accounts into order all at the same time, property managers can miss items that are part of a routine, especially when many rooms of an apartment have the same items to check.
Going room by room and documenting the condition of the property on a move-in checklist is an efficient way to make sure your maintenance crew has handled everything. Your arriving residents will have a better experience with a clean apartment that has everything in working order on moving day, setting the stage for lease renewals next year and less work for you.
Your apartment move-in checklist
From the front door to the back and everything in between, use this rental inspection checklist to efficiently prepare apartments before new residents arrive.
Entrance
First impressions start at the front door, where security and weatherproofing matter most.
Front door locks and deadbolts: Re-key or replace locks and deadbolts after the previous tenant moves out and ensure that the door latches firmly without sticking — keeping the apartment secure and reducing security risks.
Weatherstripping and door sweeps: Look for tears, gaps, or worn-down bristles around the bottom and sides of the door to stop drafts, cutting down on heating and cooling bills, and keeping bugs out.
Door threshold and entryway flooring: Check that the threshold plate is screwed down tight and tiles aren't loose or cracked. This prevents trips and falls and keeps rain from damaging the subfloor.
Porch and exterior lights: Test the light switch and put in fresh bulbs — keeping walkways bright and safe for residents coming home after dark.
Peephole and front door hardware: Wipe the peephole lens clean and check that you have an unobstructed view outside, allowing residents to clearly see visitors before opening the door.
Screen and storm doors: Check that the screen door latches securely, closes gently on its own, and has no holes in the mesh so that fresh air is let in while insects are kept out.
Entry switch plates and outlets: Verify all outlet and switch covers are screwed on tight and have no cracks — keeping dust away from wiring and protecting residents from accidental shocks.
Shop door locks, latches, keys, and keying
Living room
The living room gets the most everyday foot traffic and needs durable finishes and safe, reliable outlets.
Ceiling fans: Run the fan at every speed to listen for wobbles, clicks, or humming sounds to catch potentially loose hardware that could be hazardous to the tenant’s safety.
Light fixtures and wall switches: Flip switches on and off and pull cords to make sure they move easily — preventing broken switches and avoiding avoidable maintenance calls.
Baseboards and floor trim: Look along the bottom of the walls for gaps, loose trim, or dark scuffs to give the room a crisp, finished look while also keeping pests and drafts out.
Doorstops: Make sure doorstops are screwed tight into the baseboard or wall behind every door to ensure they are sturdy enough to keep doorknobs from potentially punching holes through the drywall.
Windows, screens, and blinds: Slide windows open and closed, check window locks, and test blind cords — making sure windows seal tight, open easily, and are ultimately safe for everyday use.
Wall outlets: Confirm that outlet faceplates sit flat against the wall and plugs fit snugly without slipping out — keeping electrical connections safe and up to code.
Pro tip: Replace worn or loose living area receptacles with commercial-grade tamper-resistant (TR) outlets. Spring-loaded internal shutters satisfy 406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles. - Electrical License Renewal guidelines, preventing children from inserting foreign objects and eliminating service calls for loose cords.
Shop indoor lighting parts and accessories
Dining room
Ensure shared dining areas have dependable overhead lighting, clean windows, and working life-safety alarms.
Chandelier and hanging lights: Check hanging chains, ceiling mounts, and bulbs — making sure heavy overhead lights are anchored firmly and don't flicker.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Push the test button and wipe away any dust or drywall powder — preventing annoying false chirps and making sure the alarms work in an emergency.
Wall switch and outlet covers: Make sure covers are tight and free of cracks — eliminating exposed wiring hazards.
Pro tip: To prevent tenants from disabling alarms due to low-battery chirps and eliminate related service calls, standardize your portfolio on dual-sensor, hardwired units with 10-year sealed lithium battery backups. This ensures continuous NFPA 72 compliance and reduces liability.
Bedroom(s)
Bedrooms need privacy, sturdy closet storage, and safe, easy-to-open windows.
Bedroom door locks: Test the door handle and the inside privacy lock to make sure the door shuts securely and can still be opened from the outside in an emergency.
Closet shelves and rods: Check that closet brackets, shelves, and clothes rods are firmly screwed into the wall, ensuring they won't pull out or collapse under heavy clothes.
Windows and emergency escape: Make sure windows slide open easily and stay up on their own without needing to be propped open — ensuring a clear, safe exit route if there is an emergency.
Bathroom(s)
Plumbing problems cause the most expensive emergency repairs. Pay special attention to shut-off valves, drains, and waterproof seals.
Emergency shut-off valves: Turn the water shut-off handles under the sink and behind the toilet to make sure residents and staff can quickly turn off the water in an emergency leak or overflow.
Toilet tank and base: Rock the toilet gently to make sure it doesn't wobble, look for leaks around the floor, and verify it flushes and refills quickly. These inspections go a long way in preventing water damage to subfloors and stopping silent leaks that run up water bills.
Bathroom sink and faucet: Run both hot and cold water to check the pressure, drain stopper, and pipes underneath — catching slow drips before they rot the vanity cabinet.
Drain pipes and P-traps: Look under the sink for moisture, corrosion, or bad odors to stop mold before it starts and ensure wastewater drains freely.
Tub, shower, and showerhead: Turn on the showerhead and tub spout to check water flow and temperature — making sure water doesn't leak into the wall and hot water won't scald.
Caulking and silicone seals: Inspect the caulk around the tub rim, shower walls, and floor edge to prevent water from getting behind the tiles and rotting the walls.
Exhaust fan or bathroom window: Turn on the vent fan to make sure it runs quietly and pulls air out, removing steam to prevent mold and mildew on walls and ceilings.
Medicine cabinet, vanity drawers, and doors: Open and close cabinet doors and drawers to make sure they glide smoothly and don't rub, just to keep storage functional and easy to use.
Towel bars and toilet paper holders: Give towel racks and paper holders a gentle pull — making sure wall anchors are tight, so fixtures don't pull out of the drywall.
Shop bathroom plumbing and vanities
Kitchen
Kitchens have multiple appliances, plumbing lines, and electrical connections that need a step-by-step check.
Stove, oven, and burners: Turn on the bake and broil settings, test each burner, and verify drip pans are clean and in place — making sure heating elements work properly and grease isn't a fire risk.
Range hood fan and filter: Turn on the fan and light and make sure the grease filter is clean — pulling smoke, steam, and cooking smells away from cabinets.
Appliance power cords: Check the heavy cords behind the stove and refrigerator for cracks, pinches, or burn marks to prevent possible electrical fires behind large appliances.
Built-in microwave: Make sure the turntable plate spins smoothly and the door latches securely, ensuring food heats evenly and safely.
Dishwasher: Check the door rubber gasket for rips and run a short rinse cycle to make sure water drains out completely and doesn’t cause puddles.
Kitchen sink, faucet, and sprayer: Run the faucet, pull out the sprayer, and check under the sink for drips — ensuring water drains quickly and pipes stay dry.
Garbage disposal: Turn on cold water and flip the disposal switch to listen for grinding noises or humming that could suggest the blades may not be spinning freely.
Refrigerator and ice maker line: Make sure the refrigerator doors seal shut, dust off the coils, and check the water line behind the unit. Doing so prevents water leaks and keeps food cold without overworking the compressor.
Cabinets and drawers: Tighten loose knobs and handles and adjust sagging hinges — ensuring doors open easily and close completely.
Fire extinguisher: Check that the pressure gauge is in the green zone and the safety pin is firmly in place — ensuring the extinguisher is ready for use in an emergency.
Countertops and backsplash: Look at the caulk along the counter edges and the backsplash, ensure they are intact and ready to prevent sink splashes from running down the back of cabinets.
Shop kitchen appliances and kitchen sinks
Laundry
Laundry areas need clear dryer venting and leak-free water lines to prevent water damage and house fires.
Dryer vent line: Clean out lint from the back of the dryer all the way to the outside vent hood — eliminating one of the biggest fire hazards in rental homes.
Dryer cord and outlet: Check that the heavy-duty power cord is firmly plugged in and secured with a cord clamp to prevent loose connections and electrical sparks.
Washing machine water hoses: Make sure hot and cold water hoses are screwed tight to prevent flooding.
Washer drain pipe: Make sure the drain hose sits firmly in the wall drain pipe without backing up or splashing — ensuring laundry water drains away cleanly.
Laundry room door: Make sure the doorknob turns freely and louvered doors are clean — making sure gas appliances get plenty of fresh air to run safely.
Shop appliance cords and flexible water connectors
Patio, deck or back door
Outdoor spaces need to be sturdy, safe, and weather-sealed.
Sliding glass doors: Clean out the bottom tracks, test the rollers, and check the door lock to make sure the door slides effortlessly and locks tight against rain and wind.
Balcony railings and deck boards: Shake railings to confirm they are solid, and check deck boards for rot or loose screws. This is crucial to avoid dangerous falls and structural failures.
Outdoor lights and outlets: Test porch lights and make sure outdoor outlet covers snap shut — keeping rain and weather away from live electrical plugs.
Windows and frames: Look for cracked glass, broken latches, or rotted wood around frames to ensure they’re keeping out rain and drafts.
Pro tip: Conduct a structural load check on all exterior guardrails and baluster infill. Guardrails must withstand a concentrated 200-lb load and prevent passage of a 4-inch sphere to comply with four important IBC code requirements for guardrails you need to know, eliminating critical fall hazards and premises liability.
Heating, cooling, and ventilation
Central heating and cooling equipment must be checked to keep utility bills down and air quality high.
Furnace and heating elements: Verify the blower compartment is clean so that the furnace heats reliably and operates safely before winter.
Indoor units and evaporator coils: Check for unusual vibrations or rattles and make sure that the condensate drain line and drain pan are completely clear to prevent indoor water overflows and maintain strong system airflow.
Outdoor AC unit or heat pump: Clear away dry leaves, grass, and dirt from the outdoor unit's metal fins to keep airflow clear so the system doesn't overheat.
Air filters and vent grilles: Put in fresh air filters and wipe down return vent covers to help the heating and AC system run efficiently and keep indoor air clean.
Water heater: Check the pressure relief valve, look for leaks around the tank, and make sure the drain pan is dry — preventing expensive tank leaks and water damage.
Ferguson can help with your move-in checklist
Download our printable, unit-by-unit turnover inspection sheet to give your maintenance technicians and make-ready crews a standardized, defensible record of every repair and replacement.
Download Turnover Checklist PDF
Ferguson has the products you need in stock so you can finish your property management checklist for residential move-ins fast. To order parts and cleaning supplies for move-ins, explore our apartment turnover supplies page.