Is a move-in checklist legally required in Texas?

No specific statewide form was verified for this pilot, but the checklist is the practical proof behind lawful deposit deductions. Treat it as required paperwork in your own process.

Should the tenant get a copy?

Yes — walk it together where possible, both sign, and both keep a complete copy with the photos referenced.

What photos should I take?

Dated, wide and close-up photos of every room, inside appliances, floors, walls, yard and any pre-existing flaw noted on the form. Back them up with the lease file.

Can I use the same form at move-out?

Yes — reuse the identical checklist at move-out, side by side with the move-in version. The comparison is the basis for your §92.104 itemization.

Texas Move-In Checklist

A move-in checklist (inventory and condition form) records the property's condition, room by room, on the day the tenant takes possession. Signed by both sides and paired with dated photos, it is the baseline every move-out deduction is measured against.

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What it is

When to use it

At every new move-in, before or on the day keys are handed over
When a new tenant joins an existing household and takes possession
As the companion document filed with the signed lease and deposit receipt

What to include — checklist

Print this page to use the checklist on paper.

Property address, tenant names, move-in date, and who was present for the walkthrough
For every room: walls/paint, flooring, windows/blinds, doors/locks, lighting, outlets — condition noted, not just 'OK'
Kitchen: appliances tested (stove, oven, fridge, dishwasher, disposal, microwave if provided), counters, sink/faucets, cabinets
Bathrooms: toilets, tub/shower, faucets, exhaust fan, mirrors, any existing staining or damage
HVAC: filter condition/size, thermostat tested, water heater noted
Safety items present and working on that date: smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide alarms where present, fire extinguisher if provided
Exterior / yard / garage / patio condition, sprinkler or gate issues if applicable
Meter readings and key / remote / mailbox-key count handed over, if you track them
Pre-existing damage list with photo references; tenant's own notes section and signature line for both sides

Texas-specific requirements

Texas deposit law makes this document matter: deductions at move-out must be for damage/charges the tenant is legally liable for, and never for normal wear and tear (§92.104(b)). A signed move-in record is how a landlord shows what was already there.
The deposit refund and itemization are due on or before the 30th day after surrender (§92.103) — you will not have time to reconstruct condition then. Build the record at move-in.
This pilot did not verify a Texas statute that mandates one specific move-in form. Use a thorough form anyway, give the tenant a copy, and check your lease and local rules for any inventory form your lease promises.

Statute references are included only where verified for this pilot. Where a rule depends on your lease or local court, the page says so instead of guessing.

Common mistakes

Writing 'good condition' for every room with no photos — it proves nothing in a dispute
Doing the walkthrough after the tenant's furniture is in, so floors and walls are already covered
Only the landlord signs; an unsigned checklist is easy to challenge
Losing the form — file it with the signed lease, not in a separate inbox

Related forms

Texas Move-Out Checklist — the matching end-of-tenancy condition record
Texas Rental Property Walkthrough Report — documenting condition during the tenancy

Where landlords get this form

These providers publish Texas-specific landlord forms and document tools. We describe them here for comparison — we do not link out from this pilot site yet.

Provider	Best described as	What to check before you buy
LawDepot	DIY legal-document builder covering leases, applications and notices, form by form or by subscription.	Whether the Texas version is included in a free trial, subscription, or single-document price.
ezLandlordForms	Landlord-focused forms library built specifically around rentals, screening and state lease packages.	Whether you need a single form or its Texas state package, and what updates are included.
Rocket Lawyer	Document builder bundled with membership options that can include attorney Q&A services.	What the membership includes after any trial, and how cancellation works.
LegalZoom	Well-known legal-services platform, strongest on business formation and broader legal products, with some landlord documents.	Whether the exact landlord form you need is offered for Texas, versus a business product.

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Texas Landlord Paperwork Pack — $19

A printable bundle of the Texas checklists and letter templates from this site, organized in the order a small landlord actually uses them: application, lease signing, move-in, late rent, renewal, move-out and deposit return.

Get the Texas Landlord Pack — $19

Sold and delivered by Gumroad (Open Line Press). Instant download: print-ready pack + editable source.

Frequently asked questions

Is a move-in checklist legally required in Texas?: No specific statewide form was verified for this pilot, but the checklist is the practical proof behind lawful deposit deductions. Treat it as required paperwork in your own process.
Should the tenant get a copy?: Yes — walk it together where possible, both sign, and both keep a complete copy with the photos referenced.
What photos should I take?: Dated, wide and close-up photos of every room, inside appliances, floors, walls, yard and any pre-existing flaw noted on the form. Back them up with the lease file.
Can I use the same form at move-out?: Yes — reuse the identical checklist at move-out, side by side with the move-in version. The comparison is the basis for your §92.104 itemization.