Most renters sign a lease before they ever write down what the apartment looked like on move-in day. That is backwards. The condition you document at the start is the baseline for the condition report at the end, and that one piece of paper decides how your security deposit conversation goes. This is the checklist Evan uses with tenants in the properties he manages, and it works for any rental, anywhere.
Why does the walkthrough matter?
The walkthrough is your record of the unit's condition the day you take possession. Walk the apartment with the landlord or manager, note every mark, dent and stain in writing, and photograph each one. Massachusetts law has clear rules on security deposits, and a documented move-in condition is what makes those rules work in your favor when the lease ends.
What should you check in each room?
Run every faucet and flush every toilet, including the ones in the basement. Test the stove burners, oven, dishwasher and refrigerator, and check that the heat and hot water actually come on. Look at ceilings and window sills for water stains, open every window and door, and check that all locks, including the deadbolts, work. Flip the breaker box once to see where each circuit runs.
What needs photos and documentation?
Photograph the empty rooms from the corners, then zoom in on anything imperfect: a scratch on the floor, a chip in the tile, a crack in the paint. Date the photos and keep the copies somewhere you can find them in a year. Ask the manager to sign the condition form with you, and keep your own copy before you hand back the pen.
What happens after you move in?
Put the date of your move-in inspection and your landlord's contact information in a folder with your lease and receipts. If something breaks in the first weeks, report it in writing right away; prompt reports protect you and keep small issues from becoming big ones. Good renters and good managers both win when the condition of the unit is agreed on from day one.