Twinly
    Written by the Twinly teamLast updated: February 20268 min read

    Tenant Walkthrough Checklist (Ireland & UK)

    A tenant walkthrough is a structured, room-by-room inspection carried out at the start of a tenancy. It records the condition of the property before the tenant moves in, creating a shared reference point for both parties.

    What is a tenant walkthrough?

    A tenant walkthrough is a documented inspection of the property, completed jointly by the landlord and tenant at the point of move-in. It typically covers each room, noting the condition of walls, floors, fixtures, appliances, and any existing damage.

    The purpose is simple: to establish a clear, agreed baseline that both parties can refer to at the end of the tenancy. Without it, disputes about damage, wear, and deposits become significantly harder to resolve.

    Room-by-room checklist

    This is a practical starting point. Adapt it to the specific property.

    Entrance & hallway

    • Front door condition, lock operation, number of keys provided
    • Hallway walls, flooring, and light fittings
    • Smoke detector present and tested
    • Fuseboard location noted

    Living room

    • Walls, ceiling, flooring condition
    • Windows — open/close, locks, blinds/curtains
    • Sockets and light switches working
    • Any furniture condition (if furnished)

    Kitchen

    • Oven, hob, extractor fan — tested and clean
    • Fridge/freezer — working, clean, temperature
    • Dishwasher/washing machine if provided
    • Sink, taps, drainage
    • Worktops, cupboards, drawers
    • Carbon monoxide detector (if gas appliances present)

    Bathroom(s)

    • Toilet flushing and sealing
    • Shower/bath — water pressure, drainage, sealant condition
    • Extractor fan working
    • Tiles, grouting, mirrors

    Bedrooms

    • Walls, flooring, windows
    • Wardrobe/storage condition
    • Radiators and heating controls

    External areas

    • Garden/patio condition
    • Bins and recycling setup
    • Parking, shed, or outbuilding
    • External lighting

    Common move-in mistakes

    Even well-intentioned landlords often miss critical steps during move-in inspections. This is one of the most frequent sources of deposit disputes later.

    • Not photographing existing damage (scuffs, stains, chips)
    • Forgetting to test all appliances — not just visually inspect
    • Not recording meter readings at handover
    • Skipping external areas entirely
    • Not getting tenant sign-off on the documented condition

    How to document properly

    Good documentation means the records are timestamped, specific, and accessible to both parties.

    • Use dated photos — not just descriptions
    • Include close-ups of any existing damage
    • Note serial numbers or model details of appliances
    • Record meter readings (gas, electricity, water if applicable)
    • Get a written or digital sign-off from the tenant

    For a deeper guide, see How to Document Rental Property Condition.

    Ireland & UK context

    In Ireland, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) can adjudicate deposit disputes. Having a documented walkthrough significantly strengthens either party's position in such cases.

    In England and Wales, deposits must be placed in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme (TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits). Detailed move-in records are essential evidence if a dispute is raised through the scheme's resolution process.

    In Scotland and Northern Ireland, similar deposit protection rules apply, and documented inventories are considered best practice.

    Paper vs digital documentation

    Paper checklists work, but they are easily lost, hard to share, and difficult to update between tenancies. Digital records offer timestamping, photo integration, and shared access.

    Many landlords now replace paper inspection checklists with a shared digital property record to reduce disputes and repeated questions. See how a digital property hub works.

    From templates to systems

    A checklist template structures the inspection itself — it tells you what to look at and what to record. But templates alone don't solve the bigger problem: keeping that information accessible, up to date, and shared with tenants over time.

    Systems manage information beyond move-in day. They ensure that property details, safety locations, appliance instructions, and contact information remain available throughout the tenancy — not just on a clipboard during handover.

    Documentation should remain accessible beyond move-in day. When it does, tenants ask fewer questions and landlords spend less time repeating themselves.

    View a Sample Twinly Hub

    Frequently asked questions

    Clear documentation reduces disputes. Clear systems reduce repetition.

    Note: Rental rules, responsibilities, and standards can vary by country, property type, and tenancy arrangement. This guide is provided for general information only.

    Next steps

    See how this works in practice

    Explore a live sample hub, grab the 15-minute setup checklist, or create your own free tenant hub.

    See a live sample hubGet the 15-minute checklist

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