What is a rental inspection?

A move-in / move-out inspection is a structured, room-by-room documentation of a rental property's condition — carried out at the beginning and end of a tenancy. The purpose is to create a reliable, retrievable record of how the property was handed over at move-in, and how it was returned at move-out.

The move-in inspection (Acta de Entrega) establishes the baseline. The move-out inspection (Acta de Salida) compares the current condition against that baseline. The difference between the two determines what happens to the security deposit.

Spanish rental law (LAU — Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos) does not mandate a formal condition report — but without one, any deposit dispute reduces to conflicting testimony. A signed, dated, photo-documented inspection report is the only reliable basis for resolving disagreements.

Five reasons it's essential

2 — Dispute prevention

Most deposit disputes don't arise from bad faith — they arise from lack of evidence. A detailed, signed report eliminates most disagreements before they start.

3 — Legal evidence

A signed, dated condition report is accepted as strong evidence in Spanish civil proceedings (juicio verbal). It doesn't replace a lawyer — but it gives both parties a clear reference point.

4 — Clear expectations

The move-in inspection sets out exactly what condition the property was in. Both parties know what the return standard should be — no surprises at the end of the tenancy.

5 — Property protection

Periodic interim inspections catch maintenance issues early — before small problems become expensive repairs. Essential for absentee and remote owners.

Normal wear and tear vs. actual damage

Under Spanish rental law, landlords cannot deduct normal wear and tear from the deposit. But what counts as normal wear — and what counts as chargeable damage? This distinction is often the core of a deposit dispute.

Normal wear and tear
Cannot be charged to the tenant
  • Minor scuffs on walls from normal furniture placement
  • Fading paintwork after 2–3 years of normal use
  • Small carpet wear in high-traffic areas
  • Natural discolouration from sunlight
  • Slightly worn upholstery after prolonged use
  • Small marks on door frames from regular use
Chargeable damage
Can be deducted from the deposit
  • Holes in walls from improper fixings
  • Broken fixtures, furniture or appliances
  • Burns, stains or spills on surfaces
  • Damage caused by negligence or misuse
  • Failure to clean on vacating (if required by contract)
  • Missing keys, remotes or accessories
Our role: We don't determine what is or isn't chargeable — we document with enough precision that this distinction can be established clearly after the fact. Descriptive language, timestamped photos, condition ratings. Not opinion — evidence.

What we document — room by room

Every inspection follows a systematic, room-by-room protocol. Nothing is skipped. Every area is photographed and rated.

Entry, hallways & common areas
  • Front door, lock mechanisms, key operation
  • Walls, skirting boards — scuffs, marks, paint condition
  • Flooring — scratches, staining, wear
  • Light fixtures and switches
Living room & dining area
  • All wall surfaces and paint condition
  • Windows, blinds, shutters — operation and condition
  • Electrical outlets
  • Ceiling — stains, cracks, moisture marks
  • Furniture and fixtures — condition rating
Kitchen
  • All appliances — operation test and condition
  • Worktops and cabinets — chips, burns, staining
  • Sink, tap, under-sink plumbing
  • Tiles and grout condition
  • Oven interior, refrigerator, dishwasher
Bathroom(s)
  • Grout and silicone — cracks, discolouration, mould
  • WC — flush, stability, tank condition
  • Basin, mirror, vanity unit
  • Extractor fan operation
  • Tiles and floor condition
Bedroom(s)
  • Wall surfaces and paint condition
  • Wardrobe interiors — rails, shelving, doors
  • Windows — operation, locks, fly screens
  • Flooring condition
  • Doors, hinges, handles
Terrace, garden & outdoor areas
  • Floor surface and drainage
  • Railings and safety elements
  • Outdoor furniture condition
  • Pool area — if applicable
  • Garden — general condition
Meter readings
  • Electricity meter — photographed and recorded
  • Water meter — photographed and recorded
  • Gas meter — photographed and recorded
  • Dated on the day of handover
Keys & accessories
  • All keys — property, postbox, communal areas
  • Remote controls — garage, alarm, gates
  • Access cards and fobs
  • Community documentation

Every element is rated using a consistent condition scale:

New Good Acceptable Worn Damaged Not tested

The role of an independent third party

When the landlord or property manager documents the property condition themselves, they are an interested party. In any dispute or legal proceeding, the credibility of their report will automatically be called into question.

A neutral, professional third party eliminates this problem entirely. We don't represent the landlord. We don't represent the tenant. We document what we observe — accurately, consistently, and without a stake in the outcome.

This is what gives the report its evidentiary value — not just what it contains, but who produced it.

For property managers
You didn't prepare the report — your credibility is not in question if a dispute arises. The documentation exists independent of you.
For landlords
The evidence doesn't come from you — it's objective, verifiable, and carries far more weight than a self-prepared report in any dispute.
For tenants
The condition on arrival is recorded independently — no one can hold you responsible for damage that was already there when you moved in.

What the report contains

Every inspection produces a professional PDF report — digitally signed, immediately shareable, and attachable to any rental contract as a legal annex.

  • Room-by-room documentation Photos, condition notes and remarks for every room and area
  • Inventory and appliances Furniture, equipment, fixtures — each with a condition rating
  • Meter readings and keys Electricity, water, gas — photographed and recorded. Full key list.
  • Timestamped photo and video evidence Date-stamped, retrievable — the evidentiary foundation of the report
  • Signature page for both parties On-site or digitally — the signed copy is delivered to both landlord and tenant

Delivery: within 48 hours by email to both parties. Express 24h available at a surcharge.

What we offer

Interim inspection
Periodic condition check during long-term tenancies. Catches maintenance issues early. Add-on to any tenancy.
Add-on
Long-term rental package
Move-in inspection plus 6 or 12-monthly checks. Fixed arrangement, predictable documentation.
Package
Short-term villa package
Thorough initial inspection, then a 30–40 minute check between each guest stay. Available as a prepaid bundle.
Package
Pre-rental assessment
Before listing: we walk through and give you a prioritised list of what to address. Better tenants, fewer problems from day one.
Pre-rental

Want to see what the report looks like?

Request a sample — we'll send you a real example report so you know exactly what to expect. No commitment required.

Request a sample report
Have more questions about rental inspections? Full answers on the FAQ page — what's required by law, how deposits work, what happens if the tenant disagrees, and more.
View FAQ

Book an inspection or request a sample report

We respond within 24 hours. Online booking coming soon — in the meantime, reach us by form, phone or WhatsApp.