Moving In
When you move in, the smiling lady in the leasing office hands you a piece of paper. She explains that this is called a Move in Condition Report and it is the most important move in document you are receiving. Your mission: you have 72 hours to fill out the report and bring it back to the leasing office. Or else. Or else what? They kick you out of your apartment and you have to sleep outside? It disintegrates?
Seriously though, why a time limit?
Spoiler alert: The report doesn’t disintegrate. The leasing office can choose any time frame for your Move in Condition Report due date. It could be due in 24, 48, 72, or 1,078 hours. Dealer’s choice. No 
matter how long they give you, we recommend taking take the maximum amount of available time to fill out the report. Get a feel for your new apartment. Upon first glance, you might not notice the tiny quirks throughout your new home that totally weren’t your fault. Take your time, but not more time than you are given. Whoever receives your report will put the time and date received at the top of the document. If it is longer than the time frame your lease states, it could turn into the “Totally Your Fault Report.” Whatever you do, don’t forget to turn the report back in. With no protection from prior damages, it could be a costly mistake.
What should go on this report?
You can think about the Move In Condition Report as the “Not My Fault Report.” Its first purpose is to protect you as The Renter. Its secondary purpose is for any work orders you find in the apartment upon move in. When in doubt, write it on the report. The office provided you with one lone sheet of paper to document every single quirk in your unit. In an older apartment, that might not be enough space. Break out some stationary and write them a story. The story of how you found your apartment.
Upon entering the apartment, you might immediately notice a cracked tile, but what about the tiny hole where the doorknob meets the wall? Further into your home, you notice a bit of water damage in the cabinet under the sink, a missing refrigerator shelf, and a small stain in the corner of the living room that should undoubtedly go on the “Not My Fault Report.” Check all of the appliances and make sure they are in perfect working order. Don’t be shy, write it all down. What about things that can be fixed? Make sure they go on your report as well! The light bulb that is out in your closet, a loose cabinet door, and a leaky faucet are all easily fixable if written on the report.
What makes it so important?
Do you think you’re done? In only 2 hours? Too bad, hang on to the report for the maximum amount of time. Once you turn it into the office there’s no turning back. So, you might as well keep it as long as possible and make sure you give them the full story of your apartment’s past damages. You’ve paid a hefty deposit, and this is your first opportunity to guarantee it is returned by properly filling out the report and taking the first photo shoot of many in your new apartment. Once time is up, make a trip to the office and smile proudly, you hero. This is the most comprehensive “Not Your Fault Report” they’ve ever seen. Upon the completion of your mission, ask someone from the leasing office to mark the time and date the report was received and give you their autograph. It might be worth your deposit on move out day.
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