Rental documentation guides

Choose the walkthrough that matches your rental handoff.

Start with the person and moment you are documenting: a landlord turnover, general inspection, move-in baseline, move-out comparison, condition checklist, or factual evidence record.

Updated August 8, 2026 · Reviewed by the Vellumstead Labs product team.

See PlaceLedger

PlaceLedger move-in and move-out comparison grouped by room — Use a baseline and final report to make condition changes easier to review.

Start with context

Capture a room overview before close-ups so each detail has a clear location.

Write what is visible

Short factual notes are easier to understand than conclusions about cause or blame.

Keep a readable copy

Review dates, labels, photos, notes, and signatures before exporting the PDF.

Pick a starting point

Six guides, each built for a different job.

Every guide is useful on its own and explains where the PlaceLedger workflow can reduce loose photos and missing context.

For independent landlords

Landlord rental inspections

Build repeatable move-in and move-out reports across rental handoffs without adopting a full property-management platform.

Explore the landlord workflow

Room-by-room

Rental inspection

Plan an efficient walkthrough, decide what belongs in the report, and capture wide and close views.

Open the rental inspection guide

Before unpacking

Move-in checklist

Create a baseline while rooms and surfaces are still visible, then record keys and handoff details.

Open the move-in checklist

Before returning keys

Move-out checklist

Document final condition, compare the baseline, and inspect the report before leaving the property.

Open the move-out checklist

Interactive tool

Rental condition checklist

Work through common rooms and items, keep progress locally in the browser, and print a separate checklist.

Use the rental condition checklist

Factual record

Security deposit evidence

Preserve relevant photos, notes, timestamps, comparisons, and copies without promising a legal result.

Open the evidence guide

Product workflow

PlaceLedger overview

See how rooms, checklist items, proof metadata, signatures, comparisons, and PDF export fit together.

View the PlaceLedger product tour

PlaceLedger report preview showing proof summary and export readiness — Review the report structure and readiness before creating the final PDF.

A useful report is understandable later

Organize evidence so another person can follow the same path.

Good documentation connects the property, report date, room, item, photo, note, and handoff state. More photos are not automatically better if their purpose is unclear.

Overview first, detail second
Stable room and item labels
Short notes tied to visible details
A reviewed PDF kept outside the app

Documentation help, not legal advice.

These guides help create a factual, readable record. They do not determine responsibility, prove causation, guarantee deposit recovery, or replace lease terms, local rules, or advice from a qualified professional.

Keep the walkthrough together

Build the room-by-room record in PlaceLedger.

PlaceLedger keeps reports local on your device and lets you review the generated PDF before sharing it.