Read your lease.
Check the deposit details, maintenance responsibilities, notice requirements and move-out instructions. Ask about anything unclear and keep written answers, your signed lease and payment receipts.
Your rental journey
Choose carefully.
Move with a clear record.
From your first rental tour to returning the keys, a few practical checks can help you make a more informed choice and keep a clear record. Get free renter advice, take TourPad on your next viewing, and organize your move with Get settled.
Use the web checklist without an account. Use the app to record viewings, compare rentals and document your home.
Free renter advice
A little preparation can protect your deposit.
Moving involves plenty of decisions. Start with a few simple habits that help you understand your responsibilities and keep your own records.
Record the condition.
Before unpacking, photograph each room and any existing damage. Report concerns in writing and complete any required inspection paperwork.
Keep a paper trail.
Save maintenance requests, replies and receipts throughout your stay. Report problems promptly through your landlord’s reporting process.
Leave with a record.
Check your move-out requirements, remove belongings, clean and photograph the empty home. Keep confirmation of when and how you returned the keys.
Deposit and inspection rules vary by location. Documentation helps you keep a clear record; it cannot guarantee a deposit refund.
Before you sign
Love the place? Check the everyday details.
A rental tour can go quickly. Before deciding, look beyond the photos and check how the home will work for you.
- Try the plumbing. Run taps, check shower pressure and flush toilets where permitted.
- Check comfort. Listen for noise, notice smells and check the light. Ask about conditions at other times of day.
- Picture living there. Measure rooms for your furniture, check storage and look for outlets where you need them.
- Check the practical details. Look at appliances, windows, cell signal, laundry, parking and trash arrangements.
TourPad’s 16-item tour checklist helps you keep track during each viewing. Save your observations, pros and cons, then compare rental units before choosing.
Scan rooms on supported devices or enter measurements by hand.
Download TourPad for your next rental tourTake the tour checklist with you. Compare your options in the app.
After the viewing
Compare the homes. Remember the details.
After a few viewings, it’s easy to mix up which place had the better storage—or the noisy street. Save the rentals you’re considering in TourPad, record what you notice, and compare your options before deciding. Keep your pros, cons and questions with the property they belong to.
Download TourPad to compare rentalsWhen you get the keys—and when you return them
Document your home, room by room.
Before unpacking, take wide photos of each room and close-ups of existing marks or damage. Add notes that explain what you noticed and where.
TourPad helps you capture photos and notes, flag damage and highlight relevant details. Create a walkthrough report you can save and refer to when you move out.
Before returning the keys, document the empty home again and keep your earlier records accessible.
Download TourPad to document your homeKeep required landlord inspection forms and written communications too.
Get settled
Your move, one task at a time.
Utilities, internet, insurance, moving help and cleaning can be a lot to organize. Use the free checklist below to keep track of what’s done and what’s next. Where available, optional service links can help you take the next step.
You can complete the checklist without purchasing anything.
Move-in checklist
Get settled in your new place
0 of 7 tasks done
Checking browser storage…
More about photographing your move-in condition
Capture each room and export a copy for your records.
More about setting up utilities
Arrange electric, gas and water service for your move-in date.
More about setting up internet and TV
Compare plans available at your new address and arrange installation or activation.
More about renters insurance
Review your lease requirements and choose coverage before your move-in date.
Explore renters insurance with Lemonade
TourPad may earn a commission if you purchase through this link. Availability and coverage vary; review Lemonade’s terms.
More about forwarding your mail
Use the official USPS Movers Guide to submit a change-of-address request.
More about updating your address
Make a list of banks, licensing agencies and subscriptions that need your new address.
More about shut-offs and alarms
Locate the shut-offs and test the alarms soon after receiving the keys.
More about giving notice to your landlord
Check your lease for the required notice period and delivery method.
More about booking movers
Compare quotes and confirm availability for the date you plan to move.
Compare movers with HireAHelper
TourPad may earn a commission if you book through this link. Check service availability, quotes and terms for your move.
More about booking a move-out cleaning
Plan any cleaning your lease requires before you hand back the keys.
More about a move-out walkthrough
Re-photograph every room and compare to your move-in report.
More about transferring or canceling utilities
Schedule utility transfers or cancellations to match your move-out date.
More about returning keys and requesting the deposit
Confirm the key-return process and how to request the deposit.
This checklist is general organizational information, not legal advice. Lease terms and local requirements can vary.
From the first viewing to the final key handover
From the first viewing to the final key handover.
Use TourPad to check the details during a tour, compare your options and keep your own record of your home. Use Get settled here whenever you need to organize the practical side of your move.
Good questions
Frequently asked.
Can I use the moving checklist without downloading TourPad?
Yes. Use the checklist on this page without an account. Download the app for rental viewing tools, comparison and home documentation.
Does my web checklist sync with the app?
No. Your web progress stays in this browser and is separate from the app.
Do I need to buy through a partner?
No. Arrange services elsewhere, mark them done or leave them unchecked. The checklist remains available.
Does documenting my home guarantee my deposit back?
No. Your lease, local rules and circumstances matter. Documentation helps you keep a clear record.
How do service links work?
Optional links take you to a provider’s website, where you can check availability and arrange services directly. Any affiliate link will include a commission disclosure beside it.