Free Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
Statutorily aligned to Alaska Stat. §34.03.070. Landlord must return security deposit (or itemize deductions) within 14 days (with deductions) / 30 days (none). Document the unit room-by-room at the start AND end of the tenancy to support any deduction claim.
Watch the walk-through
Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Checklist — Step-by-Step Guide
Covers Alaska Stat. §34.03.070, the 14 days (with deductions) / 30 days (none) deposit return deadline, permissible deductions, and wear-and-tear standards
A Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist is the foundational document for any security deposit dispute. Under Alaska Stat. §34.03.070, the landlord has 14 days (with deductions) / 30 days (none) after tenant vacatur to either refund the deposit in full OR provide an itemized accounting of deductions. The written checklist — paired with date-stamped photographs — is the evidentiary basis that distinguishes deductible damage from non-deductible wear and tear.
Complete the Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Checklist
Complete the form below to generate a printable, room-by-room inspection checklist. Use the same form for both the move-in walkthrough (establishes baseline condition) and the move-out walkthrough (documents condition at end of tenancy). Both walkthroughs should be conducted with the tenant present whenever possible, and both should be paired with date-stamped photographs as supporting evidence.
⚠ The Two-Pillar Documentation Standard
A defensible deposit deduction requires 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 alone is rarely sufficient — photographs without descriptions are subject to challenge — but together they form the strongest possible defense against any deposit dispute. Always do BOTH.
1. Parties & Tenancy
2. Property
3. Room-by-Room Condition
For each item: select Good (no defects), Fair (minor wear), Poor (visible damage), or N/A (not present). Document any Poor-rated items in the Notes section below and photograph them.
4. Photo Documentation
Date-stamped photos are the second pillar of any defensible deposit claim. Photograph each room AND each Poor-rated item. Retain photos for at least 4 years in cloud backup.
5. Signatures
Both parties should sign and retain a copy. Tenant signature acknowledges accuracy of inspection findings (not a waiver of legal rights).
🏛 Alaska’s Distinctive Security Deposit Framework
✓ Alaska Stat. §34.03.070 — What Sets Alaska Apart
Alaska’s framework under AS §34.03.070 uses a tiered timeline: 14 days if no deductions are made, 30 days if the landlord intends to make deductions for damages. The 14-day clock applies only when the tenant provides notice of termination that complies with AS §34.03.290 — otherwise the 30-day clock applies regardless. Willful retention exposes the landlord to recovery of up to TWICE the wrongfully-withheld amount under §34.03.070(d), plus reasonable attorney fees. Alaska also requires deposits to be held in a separate trust account at an Alaska bank or licensed escrow agent.
For background on the broader framework, see the comprehensive Alaska security deposit laws guide. For the deposit return accounting itself, see the Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter and Alaska Itemized Deductions form.
About the Alaska Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
The Alaska move-in / move-out inspection process is anchored to Alaska Stat. §34.03.070, which governs security deposits and establishes the framework for return of possession at the end of a tenancy. The written checklist is the documentary spine of that process. It establishes baseline condition at move-in, creates a contemporaneous record of the condition at each subsequent inspection, and provides the evidentiary support for any security deposit deduction the landlord may claim.
The checklist serves both parties. For the landlord, it documents that observed damage was caused during the tenancy (and is therefore deductible) rather than pre-existing (and not deductible). For the tenant, it documents that the landlord cannot reach back into the deposit for conditions that existed before the tenant ever occupied the unit. A well-documented move-in checklist is the single most effective defense against unfair deposit deductions on either side.
The 14 days (with deductions) / 30 days (none) Deposit Return Deadline
The clock starts on termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. If the landlord does not know the tenant’s mailing address but has reason to know how to contact the tenant, the landlord must make reasonable efforts to provide the required notice. Document delivery attempts.
The Bad-Faith Standard in Alaska
Willful retention exposes landlord to recovery of up to twice the wrongfully-withheld amount plus reasonable attorney fees under §34.03.070(d). Failure to mail the itemized statement and refund within the applicable 14-day or 30-day window exposes the landlord to double damages on the wrongfully-withheld portion.
The Key Procedural Quirk Landlords Miss
Alaska’s two-track timeline depends on whether the tenant gave proper notice under §34.03.290. If the tenant gave compliant notice AND no deductions are taken, the deadline is 14 days. If deductions are taken OR the tenant did not give compliant notice, the deadline extends to 30 days. Alaska also caps deposits at 2 months’ rent for units with rent below a statutory threshold (no statutory cap on luxury rentals above that threshold).
Permissible Deductions Under Alaska Stat. §34.03.070
Most state security deposit statutes limit permissible deductions to a similar set of categories: (1) unpaid rent, (2) repair of damages caused by the tenant beyond ordinary wear and tear, (3) reasonable cleaning costs to return the unit to its starting condition, and (4) other amounts authorized by the lease. Alaska follows this framework. Normal wear and tear is NOT deductible — cosmetic aging, faded paint, minor carpet wear from foot traffic, and small nail holes generally fall on the wear-and-tear side.
Common Landlord Mistakes in Alaska
Based on the most-litigated deposit disputes in Alaska, the following errors recur:
- Treating the 14-day deadline as universal (it only applies with proper §34.03.290 notice + no deductions)
- Commingling the deposit with operating funds (separate trust account required)
- Missing the deadline triggers double damages on the wrongfully-withheld portion
- Vague itemization without specific damage descriptions
Wear and Tear vs. Damage
Courts generally treat “ordinary wear and tear” as the natural and gradual deterioration of the rental unit from normal use over time. Faded paint after several years, minor carpet wear in walking paths, small scuff marks at door knobs, and minor nail holes from hanging pictures all generally fall on the wear-and-tear side and are NOT deductible. “Damage” by contrast is harm beyond ordinary use — large holes in walls, carpet stains or burns, broken fixtures, pet urine damage, smoke damage, missing items, deliberate alterations. The detailed move-in/move-out checklist plus photographs are the evidentiary foundation that distinguishes one from the other.
Tenant Screening as the First Line of Defense
The most reliable way to minimize move-out disputes is to thoroughly screen tenants at the application stage. A clean credit history, verifiable employment, and clean eviction history are the strongest predictors of a clean move-out. The tenant screening report includes credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment verification — the comprehensive screen that catches most red flags before the tenancy begins.
Local Alaska Jurisdictions
Local ordinances may impose additional procedural requirements beyond Alaska Stat. §34.03.070:
- Anchorage — Anchorage Municipal Code (Title 21)
- Fairbanks — Fairbanks Code of Ordinances
- Juneau — City and Borough of Juneau Code
- Wasilla — Wasilla Municipal Code
Always verify local ordinance compliance before completing the move-out accounting. Local jurisdictions sometimes impose additional disclosure or interest requirements on the deposit return.
Related Alaska Forms & Resources
Prevent move-out disputes — screen tenants thoroughly at move-in
The cleanest move-outs come from tenants who were screened thoroughly at the application stage. Tenant Screening Background Check has been verifying Alaska renters since 2004 — credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment verification, all with no monthly fees. The single best move-out protection is choosing the right tenant at move-in.
Order Alaska Tenant Screening →
Published by Tenant Screening Background Check
Established 2004 · 20+ Years · All U.S. States & Territories · Statute-Based · Attorney-Reviewed
A Private Eye Reports™ service trusted by landlords, property managers, and attorneys.
⚖ Legal Disclaimer
This form is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Alaska security deposit law is complex; improper documentation or service can dismiss claims and expose landlords to statutory damages. For Alaska tenant resources, contact Alaska Department of Law — Consumer Protection and review Alaska Stat. §34.03.070. Consult a qualified Alaska landlord-tenant attorney before withholding any portion of a security deposit.
