Apartment Move-In Checklist (India)
Everything to check before you sign, on handover day, and in your first week — so you move in smoothly and protect your security deposit from day one.
Before you sign the agreement
- Confirm the monthly rent, security deposit, and maintenance charges in writing
- Check the notice period, lock-in period, and yearly rent increase clause
- Verify the owner’s identity and proof of ownership (avoid brokers/middlemen)
- Agree what’s included: furniture, appliances, parking, water, and society charges
- Read the deposit refund terms and what counts as a fair deduction
At handover (move-in day)
- Note electricity and water meter readings, with dated photos
- Test every switch, fan, light, geyser, AC, and exhaust
- Check taps, flush, drainage, and for any leakage or seepage
- Photograph existing damage — scratches, stains, broken fittings — and share with the owner
- Count and note the condition of any provided furniture and appliances
- Collect keys for the main door, gate, mailbox, and any locks
Paperwork & deposit
- Get a signed copy of the rent agreement
- Get a written receipt for the security deposit and first month’s rent
- Keep the inventory list (furniture/appliances) signed by both sides
- Save the owner’s contact and the society/manager contact
First week after moving in
- Transfer or update the electricity, gas, and internet connections
- Register with the society/RWA and get gate-pass or parking details
- Do police tenant verification if required in your city
- Update your address for deliveries, bank, and official records
- Locate the water shut-off valve and the main electrical switch
Moving out later? Use the same photos and readings — see our security deposit refund guide to get your full deposit back.
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Browse rentalsFrequently Asked Questions
What should be on an apartment move-in checklist in India?
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The essentials: a signed rent agreement, a deposit receipt, dated meter readings, dated photos of any existing damage, a test of all fittings and appliances, an inventory of provided furniture, and updated utility connections. Doing these on day one protects your security deposit refund later.
Why should I take photos when I move in?
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Dated move-in photos and video are the single best protection against unfair damage deductions at move-out. If the owner later claims damage that was already there, your timestamped photos settle it.
Do I need police verification when I move into a rented home?
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Many Indian cities require tenant police verification, and it is often the landlord’s responsibility to submit it. Check your local police portal — several states allow online submission — and keep a copy of the acknowledgement.
How do I avoid deposit deductions at move-out?
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Keep the deposit receipt, take move-in and move-out photos, clear all utility bills, serve proper notice, and ask for any deductions in writing. See our security deposit refund guide for the full process.