We found the perfect home for the next year, you’re moving in, and the apartment community gives you a packet of papers including move-in information, a welcome letter, information regarding utilities, and a paper called the “inventory and conditions form.” What now?
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
The form referenced here is of extreme importance in keeping your deposit upon move out assuming you went for the refundable deposit option–more on that later! The TAA Inventory and Conditions Form is a form that allows new lessees to document the state of their apartment that the community will use as a reference to check the condition of your home when you move out, whether thats one, two, or 5 years from the date you fill it out. See below for our main tips on completing this form!
TAA Inventory & Conditions Form Best Practices:
- Per TAA contract, the lessee has 48 hours to return the inventory and conditions form to the landlord/management. It is recommended that before move in, you fill out this form, and then immediately turn it in after running through your diagnosis of the apartment’s condition.
- When in doubt, write it out!
- Do NOT be shy about what you do and do not put on this form–if you feel like something is there, like a scratch on the vinyl or a ding on the refrigerator–document it.
- Test each and every light bulb in your new home
- Test all fans
- Test hot water in every bathroom and sink
- Test all safety equipment such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers (up to date), and be sure that all locks and peepholes are in working condition.
- Run the dishwasher on a cycle and be sure the water is getting hot
- Run your AC/Heater to test that both are working– you don’t want to find out the heater isn’t working on the first freeze of the year!
- Once finished with your form, be sure and take a picture of it for your records. In the event that there are any discrepancies with getting your deposit back upon move-out, you can refer back to this document.
- When turning in the document, be sure that it is signed by both you AND the manager/landlord of the property
It is important to note that not all leases will use this exact conditions form. Some lessors choose to use their own lease form, and thus will use their own inventory and conditions form as well. However, the TAA Contract and inspection form is the most widely used form in Texas and is a great standard to go off of and consider when assessing the state of your new home.
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