{"id":13497,"date":"2026-01-08T09:21:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T09:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=13497"},"modified":"2026-01-08T09:27:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T09:27:43","slug":"how-to-carry-out-a-move-out-property-inspection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/investment-guides\/rental-investment\/property-inventory-report-practical-advice-for-tenants-and-landlords\/how-to-carry-out-a-move-out-property-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"How to carry out a move-out property inspection?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”back_div”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_raw_html css=””]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1767864049562{background-image: url(https:\/\/www.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/etat_lieux_sortie.jpg?id=13129) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”override_left”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”override_pos”][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”How to carry out a move-out property inspection?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1767864208688{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”relative_pos”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” el_class=”firstblock guide-wrapper-row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex” css=”.vc_custom_1765897502487{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”4\/5″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”resume_block”][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”content_block”]The <\/span>move-out inventory inspection<\/b> takes place at the end of the lease, when the tenant returns the keys to the property. This joint document compares the current condition of the property with the <\/span>move-in inventory inspection<\/span><\/a> in order to identify any damage attributable to the tenant. The financial stakes relate to the security deposit. In practical terms, the landlord has one month (two months if damage is identified) to return the deposit paid at the start of the lease, minus the cost of any necessary repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

When and how should a move-out inventory inspection be organised?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The date of the move-out inventory inspection must <\/span>coincide with the return of the keys<\/b>. This generally takes place on the last day of the lease, once the notice period has been observed (3 months for an unfurnished property, 1 month for a furnished property or in a tight rental market area).<\/span><\/p>\n

Article 3-2 of the <\/span> Act of 6 July 1989<\/span><\/a> requires it to be carried out <\/span>in the presence of both parties, or at least their representatives<\/b>. Landlord and tenant agree on an amicable appointment, ideally during the week and in daylight hours to benefit from good natural light.<\/span><\/p>\n

If one of the parties refuses to attend after being summoned by registered letter, the other may appoint a bailiff. This procedure costs between \u20ac250 and \u20ac400 depending on the surface area, and may be shared equally if provided for in the lease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without a joint or bailiff-led move-out inventory inspection, the landlord cannot legally withhold any amount from the security deposit, even in the presence of obvious damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to effectively prepare the property before the inspection?<\/b><\/h2>\n

For the tenant, preparation generally begins about one month in advance with a first step: <\/span>reviewing the initial <\/b>inventory inspection in a residential lease<\/b><\/a><\/b> in order to identify defects already noted at move-in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next comes a <\/span>thorough cleaning<\/b>: spotless windows, descaled bathroom seals, degreased cooktops, defrosted and disinfected refrigerator, etc. A clean property tends to encourage a degree of leniency regarding normal wear and tear\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Minor tenant repairs<\/b> are another essential step. A wall plug hole properly filled costs around \u20ac2 in filler; left as-is, it can justify a \u20ac50 to \u20ac150 deduction for repainting, for example. Replace burnt-out light bulbs (around \u20ac5 each), worn tap seals (approx. \u20ac10), missing socket covers (approx. \u20ac3).<\/span><\/p>\n

These details help avoid disproportionate deductions: experience shows that some landlords do not hesitate to charge \u20ac30 for an electrician\u2019s visit just to replace a light bulb.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which damages are attributable to the tenant?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A distinction must be made between <\/span>normal wear and tear<\/b> and <\/span>damage<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Normal wear and tear falls under <\/span>Article 1730 of the French Civil Code<\/span><\/a>: natural ageing resulting from peaceful use in accordance with the property\u2019s intended purpose. A parquet floor that creaks after five years, furniture marks on carpet, yellowing of white paint\u2014these are typically elements attributable to normal wear, and therefore at the landlord\u2019s expense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Damage goes beyond normal use. Cigarette burns, holes in walls beyond simple wall plugs, broken tiles, shattered glass, or a damaged door are all elements that result in the tenant bearing the cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Case law also distinguishes routine maintenance (unclogging a sink, descaling) which a negligent tenant will have to compensate. A limescale-clogged water heater due to lack of maintenance may justify a \u20ac300 to \u20ac500 deduction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recoverable charges payable by the tenant<\/span><\/a> do not include these repairs, which are added to the rent-related costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does the inspection take place in practice?<\/b><\/h2>\n

On the day, bring all essential documents: the lease, the move-in inventory inspection, rent receipts, and the home insurance certificate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The landlord provides the <\/span>move-out inventory inspection template<\/b>, ideally identical to the move-in version to facilitate comparison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proceed <\/span>room by room in the same order as at move-in<\/b>, noting every difference observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

For each identified issue, three elements must be recorded:<\/span><\/p>\n