Check-In Report

A check-in report, often called an inventory or schedule of condition, is a written and photographic record of a rental property’s contents and condition at the very start of a tenancy. It usually notes every room, fixture and fitting, including cleanliness and any existing marks, damage or wear. Ideally it is completed on, or very close to, the move-in date and the tenant is invited to attend and comment before signing or confirming it.

For deposit purposes, the check-in report is the main “before” evidence against which the later check-out report is compared. Tenancy deposit protection schemes and their adjudicators rely heavily on it when deciding whether proposed deductions for damage, missing items or cleaning are fair. Without a decent check-in report, a landlord may struggle to justify keeping any of the deposit; equally, tenants can use it, along with their own photos or videos, to dispute unfair claims.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 keeps compulsory deposit protection and expands ombudsman-style redress and enforcement in the private rented sector. Good check-in documentation is therefore likely to become even more important as practical proof in complaints, ombudsman cases and local authority action about property condition and standards. We offer free templates on our resources page.