{"id":13135,"date":"2025-11-28T14:24:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T14:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=13135"},"modified":"2025-11-28T14:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T14:24:04","slug":"what-should-be-checked-during-a-move-in-inventory-inspection-in-a-rental-property","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/investment-guides\/rental-investment\/property-inventory-report-practical-advice-for-tenants-and-landlords\/what-should-be-checked-during-a-move-in-inventory-inspection-in-a-rental-property\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should Be Checked During a Move-In Inventory Inspection in a Rental Property?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”back_div”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_raw_html css=””]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1764339310745{background-image: url(https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/etat_liex_entree.jpg?id=13125) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”override_left”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”override_pos”][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”What Should Be Checked During a Move-In Inventory Inspection in a Rental Property?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1764339490765{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”relative_pos”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” el_class=”firstblock guide-wrapper-row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex” css=”.vc_custom_1765897502487{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”4\/5″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”resume_block”][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”content_block”]<\/p>\n

What Should Be Checked During a Move-In Inventory Inspection in a Rental Property?<\/b><\/h1>\n

The move-in inventory inspection is the reference document that will protect the tenant throughout the entire rental period. It is a jointly established report completed at the handover of keys. It records the property\u2019s initial condition and will serve as the basis for comparison at move-out. For the tenant, even when relations with the landlord are good, this first inspection must never be overlooked, as it determines the entire rental agreement. A forgotten scratch, an unreported faulty seal, a pre-existing stain left unmentioned\u2026 These issues may later be attributed to the tenant and deducted from the security deposit years down the line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is the move-in inventory report so crucial?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The inventory report<\/a> creates a legal presumption stating that <\/span>any defect not mentioned is presumed to be caused by the tenant, unless proven otherwise<\/b>. This is difficult\u2014often impossible\u2014to challenge without dated photos or witness statements.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>ALUR Law<\/span><\/a> introduced a corrective measure: the tenant has 10 days after the inventory to report by registered letter any defects that were not immediately detectable. For example, intermittent electrical issues or a leak that appears in rainy weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

For heating systems, this deadline extends to the first month of the heating period. A faulty radiator discovered in November for a July move-in may therefore be reported retroactively.<\/span><\/p>\n

These additional deadlines remain widely unknown to tenants, who often discover issues too late and must bear the cost because they were not reported on time.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to prepare before the appointment?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Preparation begins as soon as the lease is signed: you should <\/span>ask the landlord or the agency to have the property professionally cleaned<\/b> before your arrival. A clean home makes defects easier to detect.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the actual appointment, plan <\/span>2 to 3 hours for a standard apartment<\/b>, more for a house. Schedule the appointment during the day\u2014ideally in the morning\u2014when natural light is optimal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepare an inspection \u201ckit\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • A fully charged smartphone for photos,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A flashlight for dark corners,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A bubble level (mobile app) to check floor levelness,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • An electrical socket tester or a simple charger,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • A measuring tape to confirm room dimensions if necessary.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bring a notebook for personal notes to supplement the official document. This thorough preparation helps prevent oversights\u2014otherwise costly oversights.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What critical points should be inspected room by room?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    In each room, use a proven method: floor, walls, ceiling, woodwork, equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For floors, distinguish <\/span>structural defects<\/b> (warped parquet, loose tiles) from <\/span>cosmetic defects<\/b> (scratches, stains). A squeaky parquet floor is not necessarily defective, but note it to avoid future disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Inspect walls up close. Run your hand along the surface to detect <\/span>rough patches beneath the paint<\/b>, which may indicate poorly executed repairs or moisture. Corners and ceiling joints often reveal structural cracks that must absolutely be reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Finally, test every electrical outlet and switch: a non-functioning socket may signal a serious electrical issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How to check equipment and technical installations?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Technical equipment accounts for many disputes after the lease is signed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the <\/span>kitchen<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Test each stovetop burner (5 minutes per burner), the oven in grill and fan-assisted modes, and the extractor hood at all speeds. A faulty oven costs \u20ac300 to \u20ac800 depending on the model.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Check refrigerator door seals, abnormal frost in the freezer, and proper drainage of the dishwasher.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      In the <\/span>bathroom<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Run each tap for 3 minutes to detect leaks under the sink.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Check hot water pressure and the heating time of the tank (30 minutes for 100 litres).<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Flush the toilet several times to ensure the mechanism works properly.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Inspect the shower and bathtub joints thoroughly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        What wording should be used to protect your interests?<\/b><\/h2>\n

        Avoid vague terms (\u201ccorrect\u201d, \u201cacceptable\u201d, \u201csome marks\u201d). Use <\/span>factual descriptions<\/b>: \u201c15 cm scratch on bedroom 2 parquet\u201d, \u201cbrown stain 5\u00d78 cm on living room northwest corner\u201d, \u201c2 cm chip on third tile row from entrance\u201d. Such precision prevents future disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n

        For visible wear that is not considered damage, use \u201cfair condition\u201d rather than \u201cgood condition\u201d. A wall in \u201cfair condition\u201d will need repainting in 2\u20133 years, which the landlord cannot charge you for.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Do not hesitate to note \u201cto monitor\u201d for elements where doubt remains\u2014for example, a tap that is slightly stiff, a door that rubs, or a squeaky shutter. These preventive notes establish the issue\u2019s pre-existing nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

        How to finalise and secure the move-in inventory?<\/b><\/h2>\n

        Once the inspection is complete, <\/span>carefully reread the document before signing<\/b>. Verify that every photographed defect is listed with precise location. Request your original copy immediately, as some landlords \u201cforget\u201d to provide it.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Take photos of each page of the signed document and back them up in the cloud with the date.<\/span><\/p>\n

        In the following 10 days, go through the property again under real living conditions. Test equipment that could not be checked on the day itself: heating programmer, electric shutters in bad weather, window waterproofing during rain.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Any newly discovered defect must be reported by <\/span>registered letter with dated photos<\/b>. This initial vigilance will save you from unjustified deductions.<\/span><\/p>\n

        To support tenants and landlords during this crucial step, <\/span>Consultants Immobilier<\/b> and its network of 18 agencies provide their expertise to produce balanced and comprehensive inventory reports that safeguard each party\u2019s rights and prevent future disputes in the management of high-end properties.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″ el_id=”summary_column”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Move-In Inventory Report: Tips, Key Checks and Procedures to Protect Tenants and Prevent Disputes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":13126,"parent":13124,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-guide.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13135","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13135"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13138,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13135\/revisions\/13138"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13124"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}