Your First Apartment Move-In Checklist

The first hour in your new apartment sets the tone for your entire tenancy. What you document on move-in day is what you can dispute on move-out day. Miss something now, and your landlord can charge you for damage that was there before you arrived. This checklist helps you protect yourself.

Step 1: Do a Walk-Through Before You Unpack

Before a single box crosses the threshold, walk through every room with your phone camera rolling. You're looking for anything that could be interpreted as damage. This is not the time to be polite — you want to find everything.

Most landlords provide a move-in inspection form (and many are required to by state law). Fill it out honestly and completely. If your landlord doesn't provide one, use your own notes and photos.

Room-by-Room Checklist

Every room:

• Walls — scuffs, holes, nail holes, paint condition
• Floors — scratches, stains, warping, carpet wear or stains
• Ceilings — cracks, water stains, mold
• Windows — cracks in glass, broken locks, screen condition
• Doors — latches and locks work correctly, no damage to frames
• Light fixtures and switches — all functional
• Outlets — test with a phone charger

Kitchen:

• All burners and oven elements ignite and heat
• Fridge and freezer cool properly; no ice buildup or smells
• Dishwasher (if present) runs a cycle without leaking
• Cabinet doors and drawers open and close correctly
• Sink drains freely, no leaks under the cabinet
• Disposal (if present) runs without grinding or odor

Bathroom(s):

• Toilet flushes, no running or rocking
• Shower/tub — water pressure, hot water, drain speed
• Caulk condition around tub and sink — mold or gaps
• Exhaust fan works
• Sink drains freely

Bedrooms:

• Closet door hardware functional
• Window coverings (if provided) intact and functional

Common/utility areas:

• Washer/dryer (if in-unit) — run a short cycle to check for leaks and function
• HVAC — turn on heat and AC to confirm both work
• Smoke detectors — test the button on each unit
• Carbon monoxide detector — same
• Water heater — note age and condition (usually a label on the unit)

Step 2: Document Everything With Photos

For every issue you find, take a photo with your timestamp visible (turn on timestamp in your camera settings, or screenshot with time showing). Create a folder labeled with your address and move-in date.

Photo priorities:

• Any existing holes, scuffs, scratches, or stains
• Bathroom caulk and grout condition
• Appliance condition — inside the fridge, stovetop, oven
• Overall room shots from the doorway — gives context

Step 3: Email the Documentation to Your Landlord

This is the step most students skip — and the most important one. After your walk-through, email your landlord (or property manager) a summary of everything you found, with photos attached. Keep it factual and professional: "I'm documenting the following pre-existing conditions as of move-in day."

This creates a timestamped record that you reported these issues. If your landlord tries to charge you for them at move-out, you have documented proof.

What "Normal Wear and Tear" Means

Indiana law allows landlords to withhold security deposit funds for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear generally means:

• Acceptable: Small scuffs on walls from furniture, minor carpet wear in high-traffic areas, faded paint
• Not acceptable: Large holes in walls, carpet stains, broken fixtures, burns on counters, missing fixtures

When in doubt, document it. It costs you nothing to photograph a scuff mark.