New Tenant Move-In Checklist

1Screening & paperwork, before you sign

Verify photo ID matches the applicationCheck it against the name on the lease and application form — the single easiest step to skip, and the one that matters most.

Run a rental history / credit checkA paid tenancy database check flags prior defaults or unpaid rent debts that a reference alone might not surface.

Confirm employment and incomeRecent payslips or an employment letter — weigh income against rent using a simple ratio (e.g. rent no more than 30% of income) before you commit.

Call at least one previous landlord or agentAsk directly: did they pay on time, look after the property, and would you rent to them again?

Get the lease and any special conditions signed by everyoneEvery adult occupant on the lease, plus a signed pet agreement if pets are approved — verbal side-agreements don't hold up later.

2Before handover day

Complete a condition report with photosEvery room, fixtures, appliances, and any existing damage — dated and kept on file. This is your main evidence if there's a bond dispute later.

Test smoke alarms and safety switchesReplace batteries and confirm they're within their service life. Most states require this be done before every new tenancy.

Cut spare keysOne set for each tenant on the lease, plus confirm garage remotes, mailbox keys, and any building fobs are accounted for.

Arrange a professional cleanA documented clean before move-in sets the standard you can hold the tenant to at move-out.

Confirm landlord insurance is activeCheck your policy actually covers the new tenancy dates and lists the right occupants — don't assume last tenancy's cover just rolls over.

Record meter readingsElectricity, gas, and water — a clean, dated starting point protects both you and the tenant if a usage dispute ever comes up.

3On handover day

Walk the property togetherGo through the condition report with the tenant in person and have them countersign it — don't just email it and hope.

Demonstrate how key appliances workHot water system, oven, aircon/heating, and anything with an unusual quirk — five minutes now avoids a maintenance callout in week one.

Explain bins, parking, and building rulesCollection days, visitor parking, strata/body corporate rules if any apply — small things that generate the most day-one questions.

Confirm bond lodgementLodge the bond with your state's authority within the required window and give the tenant their receipt.

Hand over keys and a welcome noteInclude the property's Wi-Fi/appliance manuals if left behind, and your preferred contact method for maintenance requests.

4First week after move-in

Confirm utility transfersCheck electricity, gas, and water accounts have moved to the tenant's name where applicable, so nothing lands back on you.

Set up rent due-date remindersGet the first payment date confirmed in writing and reminders scheduled before it's ever missed.

Save emergency contact detailsTenant's emergency contact, and make sure they have yours (or your property manager's) for after-hours issues.

Confirm the tenant has their own contents insuranceYour landlord policy covers the building and your fixtures — it doesn't cover their belongings. Worth flagging so it's not a surprise later.

Check in after 7–10 daysA quick message asking if anything needs fixing catches small issues before they become bigger, more expensive ones.

5Ongoing, first few months

Schedule your first routine inspectionCommonly around the 3-month mark, then every 3–6 months depending on your state's rules — book it early and give the required notice period.

Log every maintenance request and its resolutionA dated record protects you if a repair timeline is ever disputed, and helps you track recurring issues with a property.

Track your safety compliance renewal datesSmoke alarms, and pool/spa or other safety certificates if they apply to the property — set a reminder well before they're due.

Diarise the lease end and renewal dateMost states require a minimum notice period either way — flag it weeks ahead so you're never deciding at the last minute.

This checklist is general guidance, not legal advice. Bond lodgement windows, smoke alarm rules, inspection frequency, and notice periods all vary by state and territory — check your local residential tenancies authority for the exact rules that apply to your property.