Is an inspection report required by law in Cyprus or Greece?

There is no official form in either country. A dated report with photos, signed by both landlord and tenant, is still the best evidence of the property's condition if the deposit is disputed.

Does the tenant have to sign the report?

They should. A report signed by both sides is much stronger than one written by the landlord alone. Let the tenant add comments on anything they disagree with before signing.

How many photos should I take?

At least one wide photo of every room and a close-up of every defect, plus the meters. Dated photos are best, and a short video walk-through helps too.

What counts as normal wear and tear?

Gradual deterioration from normal use: lightly faded paint, small marks, worn carpet in walkways, loose hinges. Burns, large stains, broken items and holes in walls are damage.

Move-in and move-out inspection checklist for landlords (free template)

Updated 11 November 2026 · 6 min read

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Short answer

Inspect the property with the tenant present on the day the keys are handed over, and again when they are returned, using the same checklist both times. For every item, note its condition, take dated photos, record the meter readings and the keys handed over, and have both of you sign the report. At move-out, compare item by item: normal wear and tear is the landlord's cost, damage beyond it can be deducted from the deposit.

Most deposit disputes come down to one question: what was the property like when the tenant moved in? A signed inspection report with photos answers it in minutes. Without one, it is your word against theirs.

Neither Cyprus nor Greece has an official inspection form, so it is up to you. Below is how to run the inspection, followed by a room-by-room checklist you can print.

When to do it

Move-in: on handover day, before the tenant moves furniture in, with the tenant present.
Move-out: on the day the keys are returned, after the tenant has moved out and cleaned, with the tenant present if possible.
Optional periodic checks (for example once a year) to catch maintenance issues early. Give the tenant notice, as your lease requires.

How to record it properly

1Use the same checklist for move-in and move-out, so you compare like with like.
2Rate every item (for example good, fair or poor) and write a short note for anything that is not perfect: "small chip on worktop left of sink".
3Take dated photos of every room from the doorway, then close-ups of every mark, stain or defect.
4Write down the electricity and water meter readings, and the gas level if there is a cylinder.
5Count the keys, fobs and remote controls you hand over.
6List furniture and appliances in furnished properties, with their condition.
7Let the tenant add their own comments, then both sign and date the report and each keep a copy.

Wear and tear vs damage

At move-out, normal wear and tear is not the tenant's cost: lightly faded paint, small picture-hook holes, worn carpet in walkways. Damage is: burns, large stains, broken fittings, holes in walls, missing items. A clear move-in record makes the difference easy to show.

Inspection checklist

For each item, mark the condition (good / fair / poor), add a note and take a photo. Use the same list at move-in and move-out.

Entrance and hallway

Front door, lock and handleCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Doorbell and intercomCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Walls and ceilingCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
FloorCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Lights and switchesCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

Living and dining room

Walls, ceiling and paintworkCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Floor or tilesCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Windows, frames and locksCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Shutters, blinds and curtainsCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Sockets, switches and lightsCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Air-conditioning unit and remote controlCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Furniture (if furnished)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________

Kitchen

Worktops and cabinets (doors, hinges, inside)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Sink, taps and drainage (no leaks underneath)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Oven, hob and extractor hoodCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Fridge and freezerCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Dishwasher and washing machine (run a short cycle)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Tiles and groutCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Extractor fan and ventilationCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

Bedrooms

Walls, ceiling and paintworkCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
FloorCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Wardrobes (doors, rails, shelves)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Windows, shutters and mosquito netsCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Air-conditioning unit and remote controlCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Beds and mattresses (if furnished)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________

Bathrooms

Toilet (flush, seat, no leaks)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Basin, taps and drainageCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Shower or bath, screen and sealsCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Tiles, grout and signs of mouldCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Mirror, cabinet and accessoriesCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Extractor fan and windowCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Water heater or boilerCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

Balcony, veranda and outdoor areas

Floor, railings and drainageCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Awnings or pergolaCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Garden, plants and irrigationCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Pool and equipment (if any)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Parking space and storage roomCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

Systems and safety

Solar water heater and immersion switchCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Central heating and radiators (if any)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Electrical panel and circuit breakersCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Smoke detector and fire extinguisherCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Water pressure and hot water at every tapCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

Meters, keys and documents

Electricity meter readingCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Water meter readingCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Gas cylinder level (if any)Condition: ______ Notes: ________________
Number of keys, fobs and remote controlsCondition: ______ Notes: ________________
Appliance manuals and warranties handed overCondition: ______ Notes: ________________

At move-out: compare and settle

Walk through the same list, compare each item with the move-in record and photos, and note any differences. Agree with the tenant on the spot where you can. Then send a written breakdown of any deductions from the deposit, with the evidence for each, and return the balance.

If the tenant disagrees with an item, their comments on the move-in report and the photos usually settle it quickly. If they don't, the signed reports are what a lawyer or a court will look at.

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