Rental Property Move-In Checklist

Here’s a checklist for before, during and after your move. It keeps the important things from slipping through the cracks, with a little humor along the way.

Before moving in

Inspect the property

• Look for existing damage, such as wall scratches or broken fixtures. Photograph anything you find and caption it “I didn’t do it!”
• Test every appliance. If the oven talks back, you may have a haunted kitchen.
• Check that every light fixture has a working bulb. A flickering one means a cozy horror-movie vibe.
• Run the taps and flush the toilets to check for leaks. A gurgling toilet isn’t saying hello.

Document everything

• Take photos or videos of the condition of the property, like a detective collecting clues.
• Write down every issue you find.
• Send the list to your landlord and keep a copy. It’s your alibi.

Utilities and services

• Set up electricity, water, gas and internet. Life without Wi-Fi is just sad.
• Ask your landlord which utilities are included in the rent. Surprise bills are the worst kind of surprise.
• Update your address with your employer, bank and other services, so your mail doesn’t go on a world tour without you.

Security

• Ask your landlord to change the locks or give you new keys, so no uninvited guests think it’s still their place.
• Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Beeping means they work. Talking means you’re in a sci-fi movie.
• Find the fire extinguisher and make sure you can reach it and it works. It’s not just for show-and-tell.

Review your lease

• Make sure you understand the terms. If there’s fine print, put on your detective glasses.
• Ask your landlord or property manager about anything unclear.
• Get a signed copy of the lease. Frame it if you must.

Moving day

Pack an essentials box

• Include toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items and snacks. Yes, snacks are essential.
• Add important documents, chargers and medications, and maybe a stress ball.

Plan your furniture

• Decide where each piece will go. The couch won’t fit in the bathroom, just saying.
• Measure doorways and hallways first, so you don’t end up in a comedy sketch.

Clean the space

• Give it a thorough clean, even if the landlord says it’s been done. Cleanliness is next to more cleanliness.
• Sanitize high-touch spots like light switches and door handles. Germs aren’t housewarming gifts.

Unpack the essentials

• Set up your bed first. Sleep is non-negotiable.
• Arrange the kitchen so you can make meals, or at least find the takeout menus.

After moving in

Change your address

• Update it with the post office so your mail finds its way home.
• Tell friends and family your new address, to avoid surprise visits from the previous tenant’s mom.

Get to know the area

• Find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy and hospital. Food and health, sorted.
• Locate the closest public transit stops, so there are no more accidental road trips.

Meet your neighbors

• Introduce yourself. You never know when you’ll need a cup of sugar or a friend.
• Ask for local tips. Neighborhood gossip counts.

Review emergency procedures

• Learn where the building’s emergency exits are, just in case of a zombie apocalypse.
• Find the fuse box and the water shut-off valves. They’re not just decoration.

Personalize your space

• Decorate until it feels like home. Make it Pinterest-worthy.
• Check your lease before making changes. Your landlord may not appreciate your creative genius.

Consider renter’s insurance

• It protects your belongings, because life happens.
• Compare a few policies to find one that fits. It’s the necessary boring stuff.

Enjoy settling into your new place! Want a fuller, more serious checklist? See First-Time Renter Move-In Checklist and Tips.