Welcome to your new home! As you settle in, one of the first things we’d love for you to take care of is your move-in inspection. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect yourself throughout your lease. Here’s a friendly guide to how it works and how to make the most of it.
What Is a Move-In Inspection?
A move-in inspection is an official record of your apartment’s condition at the very start of your lease. It captures notes, photos, and observations about the space before you’ve fully settled in, giving both you and our team a clear, shared understanding of the apartment’s starting condition.
This document helps establish the apartment’s condition at move-in and supports a fair move-out evaluation. Think of it as a simple safeguard, one that ensures any conversation about the apartment’s condition is grounded in documented fact from day one.
How the Process Works
Shortly after your lease begins or after you receive your keys, you’ll get an email invitation from our inspection platform. It will guide you through everything, including how to:
- Access your move-in inspection report
- Review any pre-filled condition details
- Add your own notes and comments
- Upload photos directly to the report
The platform is designed to be simple and intuitive, and you’re welcome to complete it at whatever pace works best for you.
When Should It Be Completed?
The self-inspection is due within 3 days of your lease start date or key pickup, whichever comes first.
If you’re able to walk through the apartment before bringing in furniture and boxes, that’s a great time to do it. An empty space makes it much easier to notice any existing details you’d want on record. We encourage completing the inspection as early as possible so that everything is captured while the apartment is fresh in your eyes. If you have any concerns about completing your inspection within the window, please reach out to our team and we’ll be happy to help.
What to Look for During Your Walkthrough
We encourage you to take your time and move through the apartment thoughtfully. A fresh set of eyes can catch things that are easy to overlook, and that’s exactly the point of this process. Some areas worth checking include:
- Walls and flooring for any scuffs, scratches, stains, or signs of wear
- Doors, cabinets, and hardware for anything that sticks, is misaligned, or appears damaged
- Appliances to confirm they’re functioning as expected
- Less obvious spots like the inside of closets, under sinks, and the backs of cabinet doors
We encourage residents to document anything they believe is important to note regarding the apartment’s condition at move-in. If something looks like it may have been previously repaired or just seems worth noting, please include it.
A note on maintenance issues: If you notice anything during your walkthrough that needs repair, please also submit a separate maintenance request through the resident portal. Documenting something in your inspection report is an important record-keeping step, but a maintenance request is what ensures the repair is tracked, scheduled, and followed up on by our team.
The Value of Good Photos and Notes
A clear photo paired with a brief description is really all you need to create a reliable record. You don’t need to document every corner of the apartment, but if something catches your eye, a quick snapshot and a short note like “small scuff on living room wall near window” is all it takes.
These small efforts upfront are what give you peace of mind throughout your entire lease.
How It Supports You at Move-Out
Your move-in inspection serves as an important reference point during move-out evaluations. It helps ground any conversation about the apartment’s condition in documented fact rather than memory or guesswork.
Many residents find it helpful to revisit their original report in the weeks leading up to their move-out date. It’s a great way to get ahead of any cleaning or minor touch-ups and feel confident going into that final walkthrough.
Keep a Copy for Your Records
Once your inspection is complete, we encourage you to save a personal copy. It’s a simple habit that keeps you organized and gives you easy access to your record whenever you might need it.
We’re Always Here to Help
If you have any questions while completing your inspection or run into anything with the platform, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re genuinely happy to assist.
We hope this process feels straightforward and reassuring. A thorough move-in inspection is one of the best ways to start your tenancy with clarity, and we want to make sure you feel fully supported from day one. Welcome home!
