Checklist for moving into a house in India — from pre-move-in inspection to creating an inventory, recording defects, and how to keep the deposit.

In Korea, a pre-inspection event is held when a new building moves in, and lease contracts are also carried out through standardized procedures with licensed real estate agents. On the other hand, India's rental market isIn fact, the responsibility to record and prove the condition of the house lies with the tenant.This is the structure. In actual experience, most disputes with landlords are not about monthly rent, but rather about status over 'was it like this when you moved in or not?', and the side without records is at a disadvantage.

Therefore, the move-in inspection in India is not a ‘choice of meticulous people’.Required steps to protect your depositno see. Negotiation strategy at the contract stageHow to use an Indian real estate broker and negotiate monthly rentIn general, the contract, deposit, and taxes areA practical guide to real estate in IndiaSince we covered it in this article, we will focus on the actual practice ‘after the contract, from the day of moving in’.

the best wayBefore the luggage arrived, the house was empty.This involves walking around the house with the homeowner or broker. If a defect is discovered after the luggage has arrived, it is easy to receive the rebuttal, 'Didn't it get damaged during moving?' On the day of handover, please check the checklist below in order.

What is especially easy to miss isFacilities contrary to the seasonno see. It's easy to overlook not turning on the air conditioner if you move in in the winter or the water heater if you move in in the summer, but if you discover a problem a few months later, responsibility becomes ambiguous. Test drive everything on the spot, regardless of the season. Stains on the ceiling and upper walls can be signs of monsoon season water leaks, so if you spot them, you should check to determine the cause and whether they should be repaired.

The inventory list isA document listing all furniture, appliances, and fixtures in the house and their condition by itemno see. In India, where fully furnished rentals are common, this document effectively acts as an ‘insurance certificate of the deposit’. Even if the landlord claims it was new when you move out, there's no room for argument if the inventory signed by both parties says "with scratches."

What should go into your inventory

• Item name and quantity— Example: air conditioning (1 living room, 2 bedrooms), 4 dining chairs
• Brand, model name, serial number— For home appliances, if possible, include a photo of the nameplate.
• status notes— Be specific, such as ‘normal operation’, ‘door scratches’, ‘staining’
• Number of keys and remote controls— How many front door keys and air conditioner remote controls did you receive?
• photo number— Record the file name or number so that you can compare photos of each item.

Writing Tips

1. If there is a form provided by the broker, use it as is, but if not, create it yourself in table form. It must be written in English as it must be shared with the landlord.
2. Confirm with the landlord (or agent) on the day of move-in,After both parties sign, attach it as an annex to the rental agreement.do.
3. Scan the signature, store it in the cloud, and send it to the landlord via WhatsApp to keep a record of receipt.

In some cases, homeowners find it difficult to create an inventory. In that case, try to convince them that it's 'for each other', but if they ultimately refuse to sign, at leastSend the entire list and photos via WhatsApp or email to record ‘confirmed if there are no objections’Please leave something. Even one-way notification is much stronger evidence than no notice.

If a defect is found, record it.Photos, videos, written noticesThe principle is to leave a set of 3 items. Either one alone is not enough. Photos prove the detailed condition, videos prove ‘the entire house at that time’, and written documents prove ‘the homeowner was aware of it.’

Create a set of 3 records

• video— On the day you move in, start from the entrance and film all rooms, bathrooms, and balconies at once without stopping. Use your smartphone's default camera so that the shooting date and time are saved, and back up the originals to the cloud.
• picture— For defects, a full cut and a close-up cut are taken as a set. It would be a good idea to take a picture of a non-working outlet with a charger plugged in.
• written notification— Compile a list of defects and send it to the landlord via WhatsApp and email. Receive an answer saying, “How long will the repair be done?” and, if the conversation ends with a verbal conversation, send another text message saying, “I’m summarizing what we just talked about.”

Timing of notification is also important. As time passes after moving in, the argument that ‘the tenant damaged it while using it’ gains strength.Within a week at the latest after moving inWe recommend that you send us an initial defect list. The general division of repair responsibility is as follows, but it is only a practice.What is written in the contract always takes precedencedo.

Deposit disputes arise at move-out, but the winner is decided on the day of move-in. Residential rental deposit in Delhi NCR isApproximately 2-3 months' rentThis is general (as of 2026, subject to change depending on region and landlord), but for expatriate housing, it amounts to millions of won. If you manage in the order below, your chances of recovery will greatly increase.

1. Specify return terms in contract— Nail at the contract stage the return deadline (e.g., within a few days of moving out), what is deductible, and who will cover the cost of painting. Avoid vague phrases such as ‘return after consultation’.
2. Compliance with Notice Period— Usually 1 to 3 months prior written notice is required. Violation of this will itself be grounds for deduction.
3. Accompany move-out inspection— Take and compare the inventory you created when you moved in with your landlord. Negotiate on the basis that normal wear and tear is not the tenant's responsibility.
4. Proof of settlement of utility bills and management fees— Collect and deliver final payment receipts for electricity, water, gas, and Internet. Any remaining balance will be deducted from your security deposit.
5. Society export permit— Apartment complexes often require a confirmation certificate (NOC: No Objection Certificate) from the management office when moving out your belongings, so apply for one in advance.
6. Return occurs at the same time as returning the key.— If possible, it is best to return the keys and exchange them on the day of the move. If this is difficult, receive a written letter (including a WhatsApp message) specifying the return amount and date.

It is a very common practice in NCR to deduct the 'full repainting cost' from the security deposit when moving out. To reduce disputes, a practical defense is to agree on a numerical deduction standard at the contract stage and take pictures of the wall condition when you move in so that you can distinguish it from 'original stains.'

Once you have completed the defect inspection and inventory, take care of the items below within the first week of moving in to make your life smoother thereafter.

• Society resident registration— Register as a tenant with the management office/resident association (RWA), and if the complex uses a gate management app such as MyGate, create an account to receive approval for visitors and couriers. Just life in generalIndia Apartment Society Life A to ZIt is summarized in .
• Obtain proof of address— Registered Rent Agreement serves as proof of address for various administrations such as USIM, bank, FRRO, etc. If you are a foreigner, please also check whether your accommodation provider has processed Form C.
• Photo of the initial meter reading— Take a photo of the electricity and water meter numbers at the time you move in, and check with the most recent bill to see if there are any unpaid bills from the previous tenant.
• Internet and water purifier installation reservations— Installation of optical LAN usually takes several days, so apply immediately after moving in. There is also a rental option for RO water purifiers, so check the water situation before deciding.
• Move-in cleaning and quarantine— In India, it is common to entrust deep cleaning and pest control to professional companies before moving in. In particular, it is recommended that the kitchen and bathroom be professionally cleaned before moving in.
• emergency preparedness— Check with the landlord about the location of the toad nest, the water tank valve, and how to operate the inverter to prepare for a power outage, and share them with the entire family.

Once you've completed this list, the number of times you'll have to contact your landlord about housing problems will be significantly reduced. A half-day investment during the first week of moving in will secure peace of mind and security deposit for the next 1-2 years — this is what people who have moved in NCR have in common.