Apartment Inspection
What does it mean?
Apartment inspections are conducted at both move-in and move-out to document the home's condition. At move-in, existing damage and defects are noted in a report signed by both parties. At move-out, the apartment's current condition is compared with the move-in report to determine if the tenant has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear.
It is crucial to be thorough during the inspection. Go through each room systematically: floors, walls, ceilings, windows, appliances, bathroom, and kitchen. Photograph everything and ensure the report is detailed. If you and the landlord disagree about a particular issue, note this in the report. The inspection report is your most important piece of evidence if a dispute arises.
Key Points
- Inspections are conducted at both move-in and move-out
- The report is signed by both tenant and landlord
- Photograph all rooms, damage, and defects as supplementary evidence
- Normal wear and tear should not be charged to the tenant at move-out
- In case of disagreement — note the differing opinion in the report
Practical Tip
Always insist on conducting the inspection together with the landlord. If the landlord does not offer a move-in inspection, document the apartment yourself with dated photos and send them to the landlord by email as evidence.