New landlord checklist
A first-rental checklist before the small stuff starts making expensive decisions for you.
New landlords usually do not get burned by one giant mystery. They get burned by keys, photos, utilities, deposits, repairs, and records handled in six different places. Start here before the first tenant handoff becomes folklore.
- Built for first-time and accidental landlords who need an operating rhythm.
- Connects listing prep, screening, move-in, maintenance, and move-out records.
- Useful before you promise a date, accept money, or hand over keys.
Free starter checklist
Use this before your first tenant moves in.
- Create one folder for the lease, application, screening notes, invoices, photos, notices, and tenant messages.
- Write down your rent due date, grace period, late-fee rule, maintenance contact path, and emergency process.
- Confirm utilities, locks, smoke detectors, CO detectors, filters, bulbs, appliances, and basic safety items.
- Take dated photos of every room, exterior access point, appliance, meter, key item, and existing imperfection.
- Make a simple move-in condition report before the tenant brings boxes through the door.
- List every key, fob, remote, parking pass, mailbox key, gate code, and shared-area access item.
- Collect rent, deposit, proof of required utilities, and signed documents before possession changes hands.
- Save contractor contacts, warranty details, paint colors, appliance models, and filter sizes where you can find them.
- Schedule the first seasonal maintenance reminder now, because future-you will absolutely pretend to remember.
- Review local rules, required disclosures, deposit handling, and notice procedures before money or deadlines get involved.
Why the bundle helps
Your first rental needs repeatable records more than heroic memory.
The paid bundle turns the messy recurring parts into printable checklists: move-in condition, preventative maintenance, turnover prep, and move-out inspection. It is not fancy. That is the point.
Plain-English caveat
This is not legal or financial advice. Laws vary by location. Use this as an operational checklist, then follow your lease, local landlord-tenant rules, required disclosures, deposit deadlines, and professional advice where needed.