Landlord's Handover Checklist: What to Inspect Before a New Tenant Moves In
What to check, and how a dated report helps avoid disputes later on
Hey there landlords! You've finally found the ideal tenant profile to rent to, and you're days away from signing the Tenancy Agreement. But wait a minute – don't hand over the keys yet. Here's a quick checklist of things to look out for before letting your tenant into your precious abode – always be certain of your unit's existing condition, because nobody likes disputes and uncertainty down the road.
Your pre-handover checklist
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Check for any defects, spoilt oven, aircon, etc., and promptly fix before handing over to new tenant. The unit does not have to be "aesthetic" but should be fully functioning (in case of any defective equipment which will not be repaired, both parties have to take note and be agreeable before handover commences).
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Take photos from different angles of all walls, furniture, to verify condition before handing over the unit so as to have a point of comparison when taking back the unit later on. For example, a tenant may be unwilling to pay damages for a large wall crack by arguing that it naturally deteriorated from an existing crack already there before handover. In this case, landlords have to check back on their own photo evidence to determine that there was no pre-existing crack. Hence, do not miss out minor corners and details, as photo evidence is very important – it is the best proof when negotiating who bears repair costs down the road. (Find out more about our dated inspection reports.)
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For most cases observed in the rental market, damages (and thus disputes) are almost always bound to occur. It is better to err on the safe side and be thorough when checking functionality of items/furniture so that the tenant may not point fingers at you when something stops working soon after they move in. For example, a common issue is: wardrobe compartment locks tend to malfunction and go unnoticed by landlords before they hand the unit over.
Finally, it is also good to check for less "outright noticeable" things like water damage and odour (which may be attributed to more alarming issues within the unit).
Wrapping up
A checklist only helps if you can prove what you found. Once you have inspected the unit, keep a dated record of its condition – photos of every room, with notes on anything already worn, marked or not working – and share a copy with your tenant. When the tenancy ends, compare the unit against that record: it shows clearly what is wear and tear and what is new damage, and it protects both sides.
If you would rather not do it yourself, our dated inspection reports document the unit room by room. For the deposit side of things, read how tenants can get their full deposit back.