The rental inventory is a critical inspection performed twice: when the tenant moves in and when they return the keys. Both the landlord and tenant must attend, or a real estate agent if the property is agency-managed. This process checks for repairs and confirms the property's condition matches the move-in state upon departure. The inventory document clearly assigns responsibility for any necessary work.
As a tenant, insist on an inventory if none is planned—it's your right and protects you. Without one, the property is deemed perfect at handover. If the landlord refuses, they can't charge you for existing issues at lease end.
Draft the inventory document on-site during the inspection for accuracy. Be meticulous, noting even minor defects like a torn piece of wallpaper. Tenants should flag utility outages (electricity or water) and reserve notes on untestable appliances to avoid future repair costs.
Before the exit inventory, deep-clean the property, especially the kitchen and bathroom.
