Move-in inspection: what to photograph, note, and keep as evidence

A move-in inspection does two things: confirm the unit is livable, and leave evidence for the deposit and repair responsibility.

• Charge your phone fully, and bring a charger or power bank.
• Use a flashlight to check the backs of cabinets, under sinks, corners, and door gaps.
• Bring a second person if you can — one looks, one films.
• Confirm the deadline and method for submitting the inspection report.
• No timestamp is fine — the key is leaving a send time via portal/email.

• Start a full walkthrough video from the front door.
• When you find an issue, film the wide shot first, then the close-up.
• Write each note as "location + item + issue," e.g. "touch-up paint marks on the right wall of the master bedroom," "scratches on the living-room wood floor by the window."
• If there is a Move-in Condition Report, fill it out item by item and keep a copy.
• If there is no form, make your own checklist and label it "for move-in condition record."
• The deadline is in the lease or building notice; if unsure, submit as soon as possible.
• Beyond WeChat, also keep the portal ticket or email thread.

• Whether door locks, frames, gaps, and windows work properly.
• Whether screens, blinds, and curtains work.
• Whether smoke detectors and sprinklers are in place.
• Whether lights, switches, and outlets have power.
• Whether AC/heat works, and whether there are odd noises, smells, or leaks.

• Walls and ceilings: cracks, holes, water stains, mold, peeling.
• Floors, carpet, and tile: scratches, stains, bulges, water damage.
• Countertops, cabinets, drawers: cracks, staining, peeling, sticking.
• Furniture and mattress: photograph wear, stains, and damage.
• Balcony: whether the glass, railing, floor, and drainage are okay.

• Sink: hot and cold water, water pressure, drainage, and leaks under the cabinet.
• Refrigerator: temperature, door seal, odor, frost, and damage.
• Microwave, oven, stove, dishwasher: whether they work.
• Garbage disposal and exhaust fan: any odd noise, clog, or smell.
• Bathroom: toilet, shower, water pressure, drainage, mold, and standing water.
• Especially photograph under the sink, around the toilet, and near floor drains.

• Check corners, baseboards, cabinets, under the sink, and behind the fridge for signs of pests.
• Odors are hard to capture; describe them out loud in the video and write them into the email.
• While you are at it, confirm the mailroom, laundry room, trash room, elevator, and access control.
• Report door locks, leaks, pests, gas smells, and heat/hot-water problems as soon as possible.

• Before moving out, compare against the move-in photos and film the empty unit again.
• Record when keys, access fobs, parking passes, and equipment are returned.
• If you can schedule a move-out walk-through, do so.
• If you dispute a deposit deduction, explain it by email with attached evidence.