Property Handover Report

A comprehensive handover report should list every room and surface, note the condition of all appliances, record the state of paintwork and flooring, and ideally be accompanied by timestamped photographs or video. Both parties should sign the report — tenant and landlord (or their representative). When both parties sign, the document becomes mutually agreed evidence.

At move-out, a second condition report should be completed using the same format as the move-in report, allowing a direct comparison. Only deterioration beyond what the move-in report documented — and beyond what can be attributed to normal wear and tear — constitutes legitimate damage that the landlord can charge against the deposit.

In RDSC deposit disputes, judges place significant weight on the handover report. If a landlord attempts to charge for damage that is not documented in the check-out report, or if there is no check-in report at all, the landlord's claim for deductions is likely to fail. Tenants should therefore insist on a detailed signed report at move-in and keep a copy.

If the landlord refuses to complete a handover report, the tenant should independently document the property's condition via video (with audio commentary noting the date and time) and email the video to the landlord before or immediately after moving in. This creates a record even without the landlord's formal cooperation.