Free Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
A room-by-room move-in and move-out inspection checklist for Alaska rentals. Rate every surface, appliance, and fixture at the start and end of the tenancy, then download a signable multi-page PDF. Documenting condition is what protects the deposit under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070.
An Alaska move-in / move-out inspection checklist is a written, room-by-room record of the condition of a rental unit at the start of a tenancy (move-in) and again at the end (move-out). It is the single most important document in a deposit dispute: under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070, the landlord must return the deposit or mail an itemized statement of deductions within 14 days when the tenant gave proper notice and no deductions are taken, or 30 days when deductions are made or no proper notice was given. Pairing this checklist with date-stamped photos is what separates deductible damage from non-deductible wear and tear for both the landlord and the tenant.
Alaska Deposit & Inspection at a Glance
Governing Statute
AS 34.03.070
Return Deadline
14 Days (No Deductions) / 30 Days
Bad-Faith Penalty
Up to 2x Withheld
Keep Records
4 Years Min
The Two-Pillar Documentation Standard
A defensible deposit deduction rests on two pieces of evidence: (1) this written, room-by-room checklist signed by both parties, and (2) date-stamped photographs of the same items at the same time. The written checklist describes the condition; the photos prove it. The checklist alone is often challenged, and photos without descriptions are hard to place in time, but together they are the strongest possible record. Always do both, at move-in and again at move-out.
How to Use the Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Checklist
1. Walk the empty unit together at move-in
Before the tenant takes possession, walk the vacant unit together and rate every surface, appliance, and fixture room by room as Good, Fair, Poor, or N/A. Record every pre-existing scuff, worn carpet lane, and nail hole so the tenant is never charged for it later.
2. Photograph every room and every defect
Take date-stamped photos of each room and a close-up of anything rated Fair or Poor. The written ratings plus the photos are the two pillars that decide a deposit dispute. Store the images in cloud backup with their timestamps preserved.
3. Both parties sign, and give the tenant a copy
Have the landlord or agent and the tenant sign the completed move-in checklist, and hand the tenant a copy on the spot. A signed, shared record is far stronger than a one-sided one and heads off the most common disputes.
4. Repeat the walk-through at move-out
After the tenant removes all belongings and returns the keys, run the same room-by-room walk-through and compare each item against its move-in rating. A change from Good to Poor that photos confirm is the tenant’s damage; anything consistent with ordinary aging is wear and tear.
5. Itemize and return the deposit on the statutory clock
Mail the full deposit within 14 days when the tenant gave proper notice and you take no deductions, or an itemized statement with any remaining balance within 30 days when you deduct for damage or the tenant gave no complying notice, per Alaska Stat. 34.03.070.
Build Your Alaska Checklist
Complete the fields below to generate a printable, room-by-room Alaska inspection checklist as a multi-page PDF. Use the same form for the move-in walk-through (which establishes baseline condition) and again for the move-out walk-through (which documents condition at the end of the tenancy). Conduct both with the tenant present whenever possible, and pair both with date-stamped photographs. If you are also placing a new renter, start with thorough tenant screening so a clean move-out is likely from the start.
1. Parties & Tenancy
2. Property
3. Room-by-Room Condition
For each item choose Good (no defects), Fair (minor wear), Poor (visible damage), or N/A (not present). Describe every Poor-rated item in the Detailed Notes box below and photograph it.
4. Photo Documentation
Date-stamped photos are the second pillar of any defensible deposit claim. Photograph each room and each Poor-rated item, and retain the photos for at least four years in cloud backup.
5. Signatures
Both parties should sign and keep a copy. A tenant signature acknowledges the accuracy of the inspection findings; it is not a waiver of legal rights.
Move-In vs. Move-Out: One Form, Two Walk-Throughs
The move-in / move-out checklist is one document used at two moments, and the comparison between them is where the value lives. The move-in walk-through establishes the baseline: it captures the exact condition of the unit before the tenant ever touches it, so that a worn carpet lane or a chipped counter present on day one can never be charged against the tenant at the end. Do it before the tenant takes possession, ideally with the tenant beside you, and give the tenant a signed copy on the spot.
The move-out walk-through repeats the identical room-by-room pass after the tenant has removed everything and returned the keys, so nothing is hidden behind furniture. Set each item’s move-out rating next to its move-in rating: an item that went from Good to Poor, backed by photos, is chargeable damage; an item that simply aged is wear and tear. Because the two records use the same rooms and the same items, the comparison is fast, objective, and easy to defend if the deposit accounting is ever questioned. Where practical, invite the tenant to the move-out inspection as well.
When to schedule each inspection
Do the move-in inspection at or just before the tenant takes possession. Do the final move-out inspection as close to the end of the tenancy as possible, after the unit is empty and the keys are back. Alaska does not require a separate pre-move-out (initial) inspection, but an optional interim walk-through a week or two before move-out lets the tenant fix small issues and avoid deductions, which is why the form includes a Pre-Move-Out inspection type.
Alaska’s Security Deposit Framework (AS 34.03.070)
The Alaska move-in / move-out process is anchored to Alaska Stat. 34.03.070, the security-deposit section of the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. The checklist is the documentary spine of that statute: it establishes baseline condition, records condition at each later inspection, and supplies the evidence for any deduction the landlord claims. Alaska’s framework has a few features that set it apart, and knowing them is the difference between keeping a deduction and paying a penalty.
The two-track return deadline
Alaska runs a tiered clock. When the tenant gives termination notice that complies with Alaska Stat. 34.03.290 and the landlord takes no deductions, the landlord must mail the full deposit within 14 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered. When the landlord takes deductions for damage or unpaid rent, or the tenant did not give complying notice, the deadline extends to 30 days. The itemized statement of deductions goes to the tenant’s last known address within that same window. If the landlord does not know the mailing address but has reason to know how to reach the tenant, the landlord must make reasonable efforts to deliver the notice and should document those attempts.
Bad-faith withholding and double damages
Under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070(d), a landlord who deliberately and in bad faith retains a deposit in violation of the statute can be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees. Simply missing the 14-day or 30-day mailing deadline also exposes the landlord to damages on the wrongfully withheld portion. A precise, photo-backed checklist is the cheapest insurance against ever reaching that outcome.
Trust-account and deposit-cap rules
Alaska requires the deposit to be held in a separate trust account at an Alaska bank or with a licensed escrow agent, not commingled with the landlord’s operating funds. Alaska also caps the deposit at two months’ rent for units renting below a statutory threshold; higher-rent units are not subject to that cap. These rules sit alongside the checklist, which documents the condition the deposit is meant to protect. For the full framework, see the Alaska security deposit laws guide.
Permissible deductions
Permissible deductions under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 are generally limited to unpaid rent, the cost of repairing damage caused by the tenant or the tenant’s guests beyond ordinary wear and tear, reasonable cleaning to return the unit to its move-in level of cleanliness, and other amounts authorized by the lease. Normal wear and tear is never deductible. When the accounting is done, the Alaska itemized deductions form turns the move-out ratings into a compliant statement.
Wear and Tear vs. Damage in Alaska
The whole point of the checklist is to make one distinction provable: ordinary wear and tear, which the landlord absorbs, versus damage, which the tenant pays for. Ordinary wear and tear is the natural, gradual decline of the unit from everyday use over the length of the tenancy. Damage is harm beyond ordinary use, whether from accident, neglect, or misuse. Alaska courts, like those in most states, allow deductions only for damage, and the move-in and move-out ratings plus photos are what place a given condition on the correct side of that line.
- Typically wear and tear (not chargeable): faded or lightly scuffed paint, minor carpet wear in walking paths, small nail holes from hanging pictures, loose hinges or knobs, and light wear on countertops and flooring.
- Typically damage (chargeable): large or numerous holes in walls, carpet stains or burns, broken windows or fixtures, pet urine damage, smoke damage from indoor smoking, missing appliances or hardware, and unauthorized alterations.
Because the same item is rated at both move-in and move-out, a dispute usually comes down to the photos. That is why the checklist is only half the record; the date-stamped images are the other half.
Keys, Cleaning, and the Move-Out Handover
Two practical items close out a tenancy and belong on every move-out walk-through. First, keys and access devices: confirm the tenant has returned every entry key, mailbox key, garage remote, and gate card, and note any that are missing on the checklist. Re-keying or changing the locks between tenants is a low-cost safety step that closes off access for anyone who copied a key during the prior tenancy. Second, cleaning: Alaska allows a reasonable cleaning deduction only to return the unit to the level of cleanliness it had at move-in, not to make it cleaner than the tenant received it, which is exactly why the move-in ratings and photos matter. Document the actual cleaning condition rather than charging a flat fee.
If the Deposit Is Disputed
When a tenant challenges a deduction, the checklist and photos are the case. Most Alaska deposit disputes are resolved in small claims court, where the party with the clearer contemporaneous record almost always prevails. A landlord who can show a signed move-in checklist rating an item Good, a signed move-out checklist rating the same item Poor, and matching date-stamped photos has a strong, self-explanatory claim. A tenant with a signed move-in checklist showing a pre-existing defect can defeat a charge for that same condition. The lesson runs both ways: complete the checklist carefully, sign it, photograph everything, and keep the records for at least four years. Screening applicants well at the front end is the other half of the equation, because the cleanest move-outs come from carefully screened tenants.
Local Alaska Jurisdictions
Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 sets the statewide framework, but local ordinances can add procedural requirements. Verify local rules before finalizing a move-out accounting:
- Anchorage — Municipality of Anchorage (Title 21 land use and zoning codes)
- Fairbanks — City of Fairbanks Code of Ordinances
- Juneau — City and Borough of Juneau Code
- Wasilla — City of Wasilla Municipal Code
Bottom line
Run the same room-by-room walk-through at move-in and move-out, rate every item, and back it with date-stamped photos. Under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070, return the deposit within 14 days when the tenant gave proper notice and you take no deductions, or an itemized statement within 30 days when you deduct or no proper notice was given. Deduct only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, keep the deposit in a separate trust account, and retain the signed checklist and photos for four years — bad-faith withholding can cost up to twice the amount plus attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Alaska move-in / move-out checklist?
It is a written, room-by-room inventory that records the condition of an Alaska rental unit at the start of the tenancy (move-in) and again at the end (move-out). Under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 this documentation is the evidentiary foundation for any deposit deduction, because it distinguishes pre-existing conditions from tenant-caused damage. It is used by both landlords and tenants and is strongest when both sign it and pair it with date-stamped photos.
How many days does an Alaska landlord have to return the security deposit?
Under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 the landlord has 14 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered when the tenant gave termination notice that complies with AS 34.03.290 and no deductions are taken. The deadline extends to 30 days when the landlord takes deductions for damage or unpaid rent, or when the tenant did not give complying notice. The itemized statement is mailed to the tenant’s last known address within the same window.
When should I do the move-out inspection?
Do the move-out inspection after the tenant has removed all belongings and returned the keys, so you can see the true condition of every surface. Schedule it as close to the end of the tenancy as possible and, where practical, invite the tenant to attend. Alaska does not require a separate pre-move-out inspection, but offering one gives the tenant a chance to cure issues and cuts down on disputes.
Do I need photos, or is the written checklist enough?
Take photos. A defensible deduction rests on two pillars: the written room-by-room checklist signed by both parties, and date-stamped photographs of the same items at the same time. The checklist describes the condition and the photos prove it. Photograph every room and a close-up of anything rated Fair or Poor, and keep the images for at least four years in cloud backup.
What can an Alaska landlord deduct from the security deposit?
Permissible deductions under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 are generally limited to unpaid rent, the cost of repairing damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, reasonable cleaning to return the unit to its move-in level of cleanliness, and other amounts authorized by the lease. Normal wear and tear is never deductible, so faded paint, minor carpet wear in walking paths, and small nail holes cannot be charged against the deposit.
What is the difference between normal wear and tear and damage in Alaska?
Ordinary wear and tear is the natural, gradual deterioration of the unit from everyday use, such as faded paint, minor carpet wear in traffic lanes, small scuffs at door knobs, and minor nail holes. Damage is harm beyond ordinary use, such as large holes in walls, carpet stains or burns, broken fixtures, pet urine damage, smoke damage, or missing items. A landlord may deduct only for damage, and the move-in and move-out checklist plus photos is what proves the difference.
Does Alaska require a pre-move-out inspection?
No. Alaska does not statutorily require an initial or pre-move-out inspection the way California does. It is still a best practice to offer the tenant a joint walk-through shortly before the final move-out so deficiencies can be identified and the tenant has a chance to fix them before the deposit accounting is finalized, which substantially reduces disputes.
How long should I keep the Alaska checklist and photos?
Keep the signed move-in and move-out checklist and all supporting photos for at least four years from the end of the tenancy. Alaska’s limitation period for a written contract claim runs several years, so four years comfortably covers most deposit and contract disputes. Store the records with their date stamps preserved in a secure cloud backup.
What happens if an Alaska landlord withholds the deposit in bad faith?
Under Alaska Stat. 34.03.070(d) a landlord who deliberately and in bad faith retains a deposit in violation of the statute can be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees. Missing the 14-day or 30-day mailing deadline also exposes the landlord to damages on the wrongfully withheld portion, which is why a clean, well-documented checklist matters to both sides.
The cleanest move-out starts at move-in
A thorough checklist protects both parties, but screening applicants well is what prevents most deposit disputes from ever happening. Tenant Screening Background Check has verified Alaska renters since 2004 — credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment — with no monthly fees.
Related Alaska Forms & Guides
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