Should tenants be present during the move-in and move-out inspection walkthrough?

The case for including tenants

Inviting the tenant to the walkthrough turns inspection into a shared, transparent process. They see exactly what you record and can raise concerns on the spot.

That transparency pays off at move-out. A tenant who agreed to the starting condition has little ground to dispute it later.

Move-in benefits

At move-in, a joint walkthrough lets the tenant point out issues you might miss and confirms the baseline together. It starts the relationship on a note of fairness.

Giving the tenant a chance to add notes within a few days reinforces that fairness and creates a record both sides accept.

Move-out benefits

At move-out, a shared walkthrough lets the tenant see any damage in real time. They can explain, agree, or address minor issues before you finalize deductions.

This often prevents surprise disputes. A deduction the tenant witnessed is far easier to accept than one that appears later on a statement.

When it is not possible

Sometimes a tenant cannot or will not attend. In that case, thorough timestamped photos and a copy of the report sent to the tenant carry the record.

Document either way. Whether or not the tenant attends, an organized inspection protects both parties. Note that deposit rules vary by state, so this is general guidance, not legal advice.