12 Things to Do When You First Move Into a Rental Home

1. Photograph the Condition of the Home

Before boxes and furniture cover everything, walk through the property and take photographs.

Pay particular attention to existing damage or wear, including things such as:

• Scratches or damage to flooring
• Marks or holes in walls
• Damaged blinds
• Cracked tile
• Countertop damage
• Stains
• Damaged doors or trim
• Appliance damage
• Broken or missing items

Don't photograph only the problems.

Taking wider photographs showing the overall condition of each room can also create a useful record of how the property looked when you received it.

2. Take a Video Walk-Through

In addition to photographs, consider making a slow video walk-through of the entire property.

Open cabinets and closets. Show appliances, floors, walls, windows and bathrooms.

A video can capture context that individual photographs sometimes don't.

Keep the original file somewhere safe rather than relying solely on a copy stored on your phone.

3. Complete Any Move-In Condition Report

If your landlord or property manager provides a move-in inspection or condition form, don't put it aside until later.

Walk through the property carefully and complete it while the condition of the home is fresh in your mind.

If you find something that isn't included on the form, document it.

Follow the instructions provided for returning the report and keep a copy for your own records.

4. Report Problems Promptly

If you discover something that isn't working correctly, let the landlord or property manager know.

A dripping faucet, running toilet, malfunctioning appliance or small leak may seem like something that can wait, but some problems become considerably larger when they're ignored.

Your lease may also contain instructions for reporting maintenance issues, including where and how requests should be submitted.

Use the designated process when one exists.

5. Learn Where the Important Controls Are

You don't want the first time you look for the water shutoff to be when water is pouring onto the floor.

Find out where important controls are located, when accessible to you, including things such as:

• Water shutoffs
• Electrical panel
• HVAC thermostat
• GFCI outlets
• Appliance shutoffs
• Garage controls

You don't need to become the property's repair person.

The goal is simply to know where basic controls are located in case you need them.

If you're unsure whether you should operate something, contact the landlord or property manager.

6. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Confirm that alarms are present where expected and appear to be functioning.

If you find an alarm that is chirping, damaged, missing or doesn't appear to work, notify the landlord or property manager promptly.

Don't simply remove or disable an alarm because it's making noise.

Requirements and responsibilities can vary by property and location, so follow your lease and applicable local requirements.

7. Confirm Your Utilities and Services

Make sure any utilities you're responsible for have actually been transferred or activated correctly.

Depending on the property, that might include:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• Trash service

Keep confirmation numbers or emails when appropriate.

This is also a good time to learn the trash and recycling schedule and where containers should be placed.

8. Check Your Renter's Insurance

If you haven't already done so, make sure your renter's insurance is active and that the policy information is correct.

Verify the insured address and coverage dates.

If your lease requires particular coverage or documentation, confirm that your policy satisfies those requirements.

Keep a copy of your policy documents somewhere you can access them later.

9. Understand How You're Supposed to Request Maintenance

Don't wait until something breaks to figure this out.

Does your landlord want maintenance requests submitted through a website?

By email?

Through an app?

Is there a separate process for emergencies?

Save the appropriate contact information in your phone and keep any instructions somewhere easy to find.

Knowing the process ahead of time can make a stressful situation much easier.

10. Learn How the Home Actually Works

Every home has its quirks.

Maybe one wall switch controls an outlet. Perhaps a GFCI outlet in one room protects an outlet somewhere else. Maybe there's a particular way a window lock, smart lock, thermostat or garage door operates.

Spend a little time learning how the house works.

If instructions were provided for appliances, smart-home equipment or other systems, keep them rather than throwing them away with the moving paperwork.

11. Keep Your Lease and Move-In Records Together

Create one place for your important rental records.

That could be a physical folder, a digital folder or both.

Consider keeping copies of:

• Your signed lease
• Addenda
• Move-in inspection
• Photographs
• Video
• Insurance documents
• Utility confirmations
• Important correspondence
• Maintenance records

Months or years later, you won't have to search through thousands of emails or photographs trying to find something.

12. Read the Lease Again After You Move In

You probably read the lease before signing it.

Read it again.

Once you're actually living in the home, provisions that seemed abstract before move-in often make more sense.

Pay particular attention to rules involving maintenance, alterations, pets, guests, parking, lawn care, utilities, notice requirements and moving out.

It's much easier to follow an agreement when you actually remember what's in it.

Don't Wait Until Move-Out to Think About Documentation

Move-in documentation isn't only about security deposits.

It creates a starting point.

If something changes during the tenancy, you have a record of what existed at the beginning.

That can be helpful for both renters and property owners because everyone has better information about the property's original condition.

Keep Important Communication in Writing

There will certainly be times when a phone call makes sense.

But when something important concerns the property, your lease, maintenance or an agreement you've reached, having written documentation can be useful.

If an important issue is handled verbally, consider following up through the communication method your landlord uses so there is a clear record of what was discussed.

And keep copies of important correspondence.

Get Settled, Then Make the Home Yours

Once the paperwork, documentation and practical details are handled, you can get to the enjoyable part.

Unpack.

Arrange your furniture.

Figure out where things belong.

Meet the neighbors.

Find your favorite place to sit.

A rental home doesn't need to feel temporary simply because you don't own it.

Taking care of a few practical things at the beginning can give you more time to simply enjoy living there afterward.

A Note About Our Rental Resources

We share rental ideas and information based on our experience owning and managing rental homes, along with our research into issues that may be useful to renters and property owners.

Rental agreements, responsibilities and laws vary by property and location. Your lease and applicable laws control your particular situation, so this information shouldn't be treated as a substitute for your lease or legal advice.