A good rental walk-through checklist is the best way to avoid difficulties later, whether you’re moving into a new house or managing a property. Las Vegas has around 2,800 single-family rentals, and there are about 2.8 months’ worth of them. This means that tenants have more choices, and landlords require proper move-in and move-out paperwork more than before.
It’s very important to know exactly what to check and how to write it down when a tenant is set to move out, and new renters are waiting. In Las Vegas’s rental market right now, it can take 21 to 28 days to rent a home (up from 7 to 14 days before), thus mistakes during a walk-through can cause delays, arguments, and lost money. This guide tells you what to look for, how to write it down correctly, and how to keep yourself safe.
Why a Walk-Through Matters (Short and Real)
A good apartment walk-through list does three things: it protects deposits, records damage that was already there, and sets a standard for both the renter and the landlord. When leasing slows down, and there are more options, like in Las Vegas, tenants anticipate units that are ready to move into. A simple rental property walk-through checklist keeps expectations in line and eliminates arguments.
Quick Before-You-Start Checklist
- Set up the walk-through so that the tenant and the landlord or manager are both there.
- Bring a printed or digital rental walk-through checklist, a phone for taking pictures, a flashlight, and a pen or stylus.
- When you move in and when you move out, walk through the house in the same order.
Room-by-Room: Your Complete Rental Walk-Through Checklist
Living Room & Common Areas
What to Check:
- Walls, ceilings, baseboards (look for holes, cracks, stains, peeling paint)
- Flooring (carpet condition, hardwood scratches, tile cracks)
- Windows (operation, cracks, screens, locks)
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Electrical outlets (test each one)
- Doors (operation, locks, hardware)
- Smoke detectors (test and note battery status)
Las Vegas-Specific Consideration: Desert dust accumulates on everything. When you move in, you should have your carpets and blinds cleaned by a pro. It’s typical for a lot of dust to build up when you move out, but dirt or stains that have been ground in are damage.
Kitchen
What to Check:
- All appliances (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal)
- Cabinet and drawer condition (check inside and underneath)
- Countertops (chips, cracks, stains, burns)
- Sink and faucet (leaks, water pressure, drainage)
- Backsplash and tile condition
- Floor condition (especially around the dishwasher and under the sink)
Critical Kitchen Tests:
- Run the dishwasher through a cycle
- Turn on all stove burners and the oven
- Test the garbage disposal with water running
- Open the refrigerator and freezer, check for proper cooling
- Look under the sink for water damage or pest evidence
We have found that kitchens are where most of the damage happens when we manage Las Vegas properties. Be extra careful here.
Bathrooms
What to Check:
- Toilet (flush, check for leaks at base, ensure seat isn’t cracked)
- Sink and faucet (water pressure, drainage, leaks underneath)
- Shower/tub (test water pressure and temperature, check tiles, grout, and caulking)
- Ventilation fan (test and ensure it’s exhausting properly)
- Mirrors and medicine cabinets
- Floor condition (water damage, loose tiles)
Las Vegas Bathroom Issues: Hard water is typical here, thus it’s normal for some minerals to build up on fixtures. But mold, damaged caulking, or water stains on ceilings are signs of deeper problems.
Bedrooms
What to Check:
- Closet condition (doors, shelving, rods)
- Carpet or flooring condition
- Window coverings (blinds, curtains)
- Light fixtures and switches
- Ceiling fans (operation and stability)
- Door condition and locks
HVAC System (Critical in Las Vegas!)
What to Check:
- Thermostat function
- Air filter condition (should be new at move-in)
- Air flow from all vents
- Unusual noises when running
- Age of unit (for maintenance planning)
Here’s a sobering stat: Las Vegas HVAC systems run almost all year, and they need to cool down from March to October. If your HVAC system breaks down in July, it might cost you more than $5,000 to fix it right now and lose a tenant. Check the system completely and write down the date of the last servicing during every walk-through.
Exterior & Outdoor Areas
What to Check:
- Landscaping condition (in December 2025, xeriscaping is common—check irrigation systems)
- Fences and gates (operation, broken slats, rust)
- Pool and spa equipment (if applicable—note chemical levels and equipment function)
- Exterior lighting (safety issue—all should work)
- Driveway and walkways (cracks, trip hazards)
- Roof condition (from ground level—look for missing shingles or obvious damage)
Las Vegas Landscaping Reality: Many homes have desert landscaping since it’s important to save water. Drip systems should operate right when you move in, and there shouldn’t be any weeds in the rocks or gravel. When you move out, you should see some weeds growing (which is normal), but if the plants are dead or the irrigation system is malfunctioning, that’s a problem.
Ready-To-Use Table: Contents for Rental Checklist Pointers
| Area / Item | What to check | Record (Y/N & Notes) |
| General walls/ceilings | Cracks, stains, peeling paint | |
| Flooring | Scrapes, burns, stains, loose tiles | |
| Doors & locks | Functionality, deadbolt | |
| Windows & screens | Open/close, drafts, tears | |
| Electrical | Test outlets/switches, lights | |
| HVAC | Heat/cool, thermostat, filter date | |
| Kitchen appliances | Fridge, oven, stove, dishwasher | |
| Sinks & drains | Leaks, water pressure, drainage | |
| Bathroom fixtures | Toilet flush, shower pressure | |
| Smoke/CO detectors | Present, tested, battery date | |
| Laundry | Washer/dryer operation, vents | |
| Exterior/yard | Fence, irrigation, lighting | |
| Safety | Pest signs, trip hazards | |
| Photos & signatures | Take photos and get the tenant & landlord sign |
(You may print or copy this table into your digital tenant walk-through checklist to use as a fast inventory.)
Best Practices For Documenting Everything
- Photos & timestamps: Take wide shots and close-ups, label by room and filename.
- Signatures: The renter and landlord both sign the completed checklist when they move in and out. Keep copies.
- Cloud storage: Save reports and photos in a dated folder (Drive, Dropbox, RentCheck, ZInspector).
- Be factual: Describe, don’t give your opinion. “2-inch tear on living room carpet” > “ugly carpet.”
Move-In Vs Move-Out: How They Differ
- Move-in = baseline. Mark every existing issue, no matter how small.
- Move-out = comparison. Use the move-in file to tell the difference between fresh damage and natural wear and tear. Nevada law protects renters from unfair deductions. Clear records are good for everyone.
Apps & Tools We Recommend
- RentCheck or ZInspector — guided templates, timestamped photos, resident sign-off.
- Any cloud folder with a standard file naming convention.
- A small LED flashlight and a phone tripod for steady photos.
Quick Tips That Save Time (And Money)
- Check your longer leases once a year to find little problems before they turn into huge costs.
- If you locate a problem that hasn’t been reported, fix it quickly and efficiently. This will keep tenants pleased and limit damage.
- Add HVAC and roof checks to your seasonal agenda for Las Vegas properties. The desert climate makes systems wear out faster.
Protect Your Rental the Right Way with Top Tier Realty
A concise rental walk-through checklist, whether you’re moving in or out, makes things easier and keeps arguments to a minimum. In Las Vegas’s rental market today, being systematic and consistent helps safeguard your property and makes sure that both landlords and tenants are on the same page.
We protect your investment at Top Tier Realty by doing expert walk-throughs. We take care of inspections for you, from complete reports to local knowledge of frequent property problems in Las Vegas. You can send us a message or call our real estate experts at 702-586-8588 or come to 2575 Montessouri St #200, Las Vegas, NV 89117. We’ll take care of the details while you enjoy steady rental income.
FAQs
Q: What is a tenant walk-through checklist?
A: A tenant walk-through checklist is a room-by-room inventory used at move-in and move-out to document property condition and prevent disputes.
Q: Do I need to be present for the walk-through?
A: It’s best. Both landlord and tenant should attend to agree on the condition and sign the checklist together.
Q: How long should I keep walk-through records?
A: Keep them at least 1–2 years after lease end, longer if there’s an ongoing dispute.
Q: Can a landlord deduct normal wear and tear from a deposit?
A: No. Deposits can only cover damage beyond normal wear and tear. Good documentation helps determine what’s fair.
Q: What's the difference between move-in and move-out walk-throughs?
A: A walk-through before the renter moves in sets the baseline for the property's condition. You write down every problem that exists, test all the systems, and have both the landlord and the renter sign the landlord-tenant walk-through checklist to show that they agree on the state of the property. A move-out walk-through looks at the current state of the property and compares it to the move-in paperwork to find any damage that isn't natural wear and tear. Move-out inspections decide how much of the security deposit will be returned. It's very important to have detailed move-in paperwork for Nevada's 30-day deposit return rule.
Q: Can I charge tenants for normal wear and tear in Las Vegas?
A: No. Nevada law says that landlords can't make tenants pay for natural wear and tear. This includes paint that has faded from being in the sun (which happens a lot in Las Vegas), slight wear and tear on carpets in high-traffic areas, small scuffs on walls, loose hardware from constant use, and mild discoloration of the grout. You can only take money out of security deposits for real damage that goes beyond usual use, including holes in walls, big carpet stains, broken appliances from overuse, or too much filth that needs to be cleaned by a pro.
Q: Are digital checklists legal?
A: Yes—digital, timestamped, and signed records are generally acceptable and often preferred.