Free MA landlord template
Move-In / Move-Out Condition Checklist
A printable room-by-room walkthrough checklist for documenting unit condition at move-in and again at move-out — the paper trail that protects your security deposit deductions and keeps you on the right side of M.G.L. c.186 §15B.
What’s in the template
- Room-by-room condition tables: entry, living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and a general/safety section (smoke and CO detectors, heat, hot water, keys)
- Move-in and move-out condition columns side by side, with a notes column for photo references
- Property, unit, tenant, and date blanks plus signature lines for both parties at move-in and move-out
- A plain-English summary of the §15B statement-of-condition timeline printed right on the form
Massachusetts law context
If you collect a security deposit, M.G.L. c.186 §15B(2)(c) requires you to give the tenant a signed statement of the present condition of the premises within 10 days after the tenancy starts (or upon receipt of the deposit, if later). The tenant then has 15 days to return it with a list of any damage they believe exists.
This checklist is a working walkthrough record that complements the statutory statement of condition — thorough condition documentation at both ends of the tenancy is what makes damage deductions stick.
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This template is general information for Massachusetts landlords, not legal advice. Statutes change and every tenancy is different — consult an attorney for your specific situation.