Rental Property Inspection Checklist
Walk the property like an investor. Tick these off on your phone as you go — your progress saves automatically. It's your own walk-through, meant to catch red flags early and make sure nothing gets skipped. Free, no signup, printable.
Exterior & site
0/6Walk the whole perimeter before you go inside.
Roof & gutters
0/5The single most expensive thing to get wrong.
Foundation & structure
0/5Small cracks are normal; horizontal or stair-step cracks are not.
HVAC & water heater
0/4Note the age of every major system — replacements are your CapEx.
Plumbing
0/5Run everything — you're checking pressure, drainage, and leaks.
Electrical
0/4Older or amateur wiring is a safety and insurance issue.
Interior — room by room
0/5Kitchens and bathrooms cost the most to renovate.
Safety, code & red flags
0/5Deal-breakers and things to price into your offer.
Your progress is saved in this browser only — nothing is uploaded, and no signup is required. Clearing your browser data will reset it.
How to use it
Start outside and work in, big systems first. The point isn't to replace a professional inspection — it's to walk the property knowing what to look for, so you catch obvious problems before you spend money and know what to ask the inspector to dig into. Note the age of every major system; those are your future capital expenditures. Then take everything you find and price the repairs into your maximum offer.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when inspecting a rental property?
Focus on the expensive systems first: the roof, foundation and structure, HVAC, water heater, plumbing, and electrical panel. Note the age of each major system — those are your future capital expenditures. Then walk room by room for water damage, odors, and signs of pests, and check safety items like smoke and CO detectors. This checklist covers all of it.
Does this replace a professional home inspection?
No. Always hire a licensed inspector before you close — this checklist is for your own walk-through, so you know what to look for and what to ask about. Use it to spot red flags early (before you spend on an inspection) and to make sure the professional inspection covered everything that matters to you.
What are the biggest red flags in a rental inspection?
Foundation problems (horizontal or stair-step cracks, bowing walls, sloping floors), an old or damaged roof, an outdated or unsafe electrical panel, major water intrusion or mold, and unpermitted additions. Any of these can cost thousands — price them into your maximum offer rather than assuming they'll be minor.
Is my checklist progress saved?
Yes — your checked items save automatically in your browser, so you can walk the property on your phone and pick up where you left off. Nothing is uploaded and no signup is needed. It's also printable if you'd rather carry a paper copy.
Working the whole purchase?
The inspection is one step — the full buying checklist covers the rest.
Open the Buying Checklist →