Apartment Condition Report
Before moving into your apartment, you should fill out an Apartment Condition Report to make sure that you receive your security deposit back when you move out. Most landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent to offset the cost of repairing damages or cleaning expenses when a tenant moves out.
The Apartment Condition Report is a listing of preexisting damage to the apartment and should be completed before any of your belonings are moved into the living space. The reports should cover every room, fixture, and appliance in the unit. Once completed, it should be signed by all tenants as well as the landlord. Each person should keep a copy and a copy should be attached to each copy of the lease. The same form should be filled out when tenants move out in order to document damage to the apartment.
If the landlord is unavailable or refuses to sign the Apartment Condition Report, you can take pictures of damage and attach those to the report. You may choose to take pictures regardless of whether or not the landlord signs the form. Make sure to send him or her a copy and attach another copy to your lease.
You can download a sample Apartment Condition Report here.
