When welcoming new residents into your rental property, a proper move-in inspection is one of the most important tools for protecting your investment. We offer two levels of inspection services—Standard Inspection and Inspection Plus. Both serve the purpose of documenting the condition of the property at move-in, but the depth, documentation, and long-term benefits are significantly different.
Standard Inspection
Our Standard Inspection follows the Massachusetts Move-In/Move-Out Condition Statement form. This form, commonly used by rental agents across the state, provides a general written assessment of the property’s condition room by room. While this is sufficient for basic legal compliance, it does not include photo documentation or detailed itemization. In short, it serves as a simple checklist and does not provide visual proof of property conditions.Why Renter’s Insurance Matters
Inspection Plus
Inspection Plus is designed for owners who want an elevated level of protection and documentation. This service includes:
Comprehensive Photo Documentation: We take hundreds of timestamped, high-resolution photos—typically over 400 images for a 3-bedroom unit—to visually record every detail of the property, including walls, floors, appliances, fixtures, cabinetry, and other surfaces.
Itemized Move-In Report: Alongside the photos, we prepare a detailed report that describes the cosmetic and functional condition of each individual item in the property. This report goes beyond general observations and serves as a true baseline for future comparisons.
Secure Digital Archiving: All documentation is securely stored online for easy access, ensuring that condition records are safely preserved for the duration of the tenancy and beyond.
Sample Inspection Plus Report
Why Is There a Fee for Inspection Plus?
Inspection Plus requires a significant investment of time and effort, including:
Multiple hours spent onsite, examining the property and capturing images.
Additional hours offsite, sorting photos, completing the itemized report, and preparing the documentation for online storage.
Ongoing digital storage to ensure these records are readily available when needed.
The fee covers both the labor and the infrastructure required to deliver and maintain this level of detailed reporting.
Why Should Owners Choose Inspection Plus?
A comprehensive move-in report isn’t just about documentation—it’s about protection and peace of mind.
Stronger Support for Damage Claims: If a resident causes damage, you’ll need clear, before-and-after evidence to hold them accountable. A general checklist rarely meets that burden of proof. With Inspection Plus, you’ll have detailed records that make it easier to recover repair costs from the resident’s security deposit.
Better Property Care: When residents know their unit has been meticulously documented, they tend to take better care of the property throughout the lease term.
Fewer Disputes: Thorough documentation reduces the chance of disagreements at move-out, making for a smoother transition between residents.
Summary:
If you’re looking for basic legal compliance, the Standard Inspection will meet your needs. But if your priority is minimizing risk, reducing future repair costs, and maintaining stronger accountability, Inspection Plus is the recommended option.