Spokane Renter Move-In Checklist

Quick Spokane Renter Move-In Checklist

Before moving into a Spokane rental, take time to complete the following steps:

• Read the complete lease and all attached addenda
• Confirm the move-in date, time and key-transfer instructions
• Verify the amount and accepted method for any remaining move-in payments
• Arrange the utilities assigned to the tenant
• Obtain renters insurance if required by the lease
• Save the correct contact and tenant-portal information
• Complete and sign the property condition checklist
• Photograph or record the condition of the rental
• Report existing damage or unresolved concerns in writing
• Keep copies of the lease, checklist, receipts and important messages

Before Move-In Day

Read the Lease and Addenda

Set aside enough time to read the entire lease before moving in. The lease explains the rental term, monthly rent, payment instructions, utility responsibilities, occupancy limits and other rules that apply to the property.

Also review any addenda covering pets, parking, smoking, landscaping, shared spaces, appliances, renters insurance or community rules. If something is unclear, ask before move-in day rather than assuming how it will be handled. Before signing, renters may also want to review our guide to questions to ask before signing a lease in Spokane.

Confirm Payments and Utility Responsibilities

Confirm which move-in payments remain due and how they must be submitted. Keep a receipt or other record of every payment.

The lease or move-in instructions should identify which utilities the renter must establish. Depending on the property, these could include electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage or internet service. Arrange required accounts early enough to avoid an interruption when you move in.

Organize Insurance and Contact Information

If renters insurance is required, have the policy active by the date stated in the lease and provide any requested confirmation. Even when a policy is not required, renters may want to speak with a qualified insurance professional about protecting their belongings and understanding available liability coverage.

Save the correct phone numbers, email addresses and portal links for rent payments, maintenance requests and general questions. Knowing where to report an issue is much easier than searching for instructions after something happens.

Plan for Keys, Parking and Moving Access

Confirm when and where keys, remotes, access cards or entry instructions will be provided. If the property has assigned parking, controlled access, an elevator or specific moving rules, review those details before the moving truck arrives.

Do not assume that early entry will be available. Schedule movers, deliveries and utility appointments around the confirmed beginning of the tenancy.

What to Do When You Receive the Keys

Complete the Written Condition Checklist

Washington law gives the move-in condition checklist an important role when a deposit is collected. Under RCW 59.18.260, the landlord must provide a written checklist describing the condition, cleanliness and existing damage at the beginning of the tenancy. The landlord and tenant sign and date it, and the tenant must receive a copy.

Read the checklist carefully and add clear notes wherever the condition differs from what is recorded. Photographs and videos can supplement the written checklist, but they should not replace completing and returning the required document.

Inspect the Rental Room by Room

Walk through the property methodically before unpacking. Look at:

• Walls, ceilings, paint and trim
• Carpet, hardwood, tile and other flooring
• Doors, windows, locks and screens
• Sinks, faucets, toilets, showers and visible plumbing
• Refrigerator, range, dishwasher and other included appliances
• Cabinets, counters, closets and shelving
• Lights, outlets and switches that can be safely checked
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Patios, garages, yards or exterior areas included with the rental
• Keys, remotes, parking passes and access devices received

Do not dismantle fixtures, move appliances or tamper with safety equipment. Record visible concerns and use the property’s established reporting process when something needs attention.

Take Clear Photographs or Video

Take well-lit photographs of each room, including floors, walls, appliances and any existing marks or damage. Wider room photographs establish context, while close-up images can document a specific concern.

Save the original files in a folder with the lease and condition checklist. Keeping organized records is more helpful than trying to reconstruct the property’s original condition months later.

Report Existing Concerns in Writing

If you discover damage, missing items or a condition that needs attention, report it using the contact method provided for the property. Describe the location and problem clearly, attach helpful photographs and keep the submission confirmation.

For an immediate threat to life or safety, contact 911. For a property-related emergency, follow the emergency instructions supplied with the lease or tenant materials.

What to Organize During the First Week

Once the boxes are inside, take a few minutes to make sure the ongoing rental details are organized:

• Confirm that required utility accounts are active
• Set up tenant-portal access if one is provided
• Review the rent due date and available payment methods
• Save the procedure for routine and urgent maintenance requests
• Confirm garbage, recycling and parking instructions
• Review pet, landscaping and shared-area responsibilities
• Update your mailing address where needed
• Store the lease and property records somewhere accessible

Before painting, mounting equipment, changing locks, installing fixtures or making another alteration, review the lease and obtain any required written approval.

Why the Move-In Record Matters in Spokane

A careful move-in record gives the renter and housing provider the same starting point for understanding the property’s condition. That can make later maintenance conversations and the eventual move-out review much clearer. Our Spokane renter move-out checklist explains how these records can also help when the tenancy eventually ends.

Inside the City of Spokane, SMC 10.57.110 requires a landlord, owner or manager to self-inspect the rental before occupancy and retain move-in and move-out inspection records for at least three years. Renters should also keep their own copies throughout the tenancy.

Move-In Documents Worth Keeping

Create one digital or physical folder containing:

• The signed lease and all addenda
• The signed move-in condition checklist
• Move-in photographs and videos
• Receipts for deposits, rent and other payments
• Utility-account confirmations
• Renters-insurance records, when applicable
• Key and access-device records
• Written communication about existing conditions
• Maintenance-request confirmations

Keeping these records together makes them easier to find when you have a question, renew the lease or eventually prepare to move.

Finding and Applying for a Spokane Rental

Prospective renters can browse The Hornberger Group’s available rentals and review the published rental criteria and application requirements before applying. Renters preparing to apply can also use our Spokane rental application checklist to organize commonly requested information before beginning an application.

Before submitting an application fee, deposit or other payment, review our guide to avoiding rental scams in Spokane. For a broader introduction to the local rental process, read the top things to know before renting in Spokane.

Renters considering a property managed by The Hornberger Group can also learn what it is like to rent from The Hornberger Group, including communication, portal access, maintenance reporting and other parts of the resident experience.

Official Spokane and Washington Renter Resources

• Washington move-in checklist and deposit requirements
• City of Spokane landlord walkthrough and inspection requirements
• City of Spokane tenant rights and landlord resources

This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Renters should review their lease and consult an appropriate housing resource or qualified legal professional regarding their individual circumstances.

Explore More Spokane Renter Resources

Preparing to apply, sign a lease, move in or plan a future move? Browse The Hornberger Group’s tenant guides for practical checklists and helpful information covering each stage of the Spokane rental process.