Inspection Report and Inventory: Template and How to Fill It Out

The inspection report documents the condition of the property at move-in and move-out. Without it, recovering the security deposit for damages becomes a word-against-word argument.

The problem

Without an inventory, any damage discovered at move-out becomes a dispute. The tenant claims it was already like that; the landlord has no way to prove otherwise. The security deposit is at risk.

What a good inspection report includes

• Condition of each room, described in writing.
• Equipment and appliances, including brand and condition.
• Dated photographs of each relevant space.
• Utility meter readings at move-in.
• Signatures of both parties.

Security deposit protection

A well-prepared inventory protects the security deposit and reduces conflicts — and conflict-free relationships have a much lower risk of turning into defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the photos have legal value?

Dated photographs attached to a report signed by both parties provide strong evidence in the event of a dispute over damages.