Move-In & Move-Out Inspections
Documented condition reports at move-in and move-out, so your security deposit deductions hold up and your 45-day deadline never gets missed.
Free 15-minute call. No obligation, no sales pitch.
A Paper Trail for Every Unit, Both Ends of the Lease
A security deposit dispute almost always comes down to one question: can you prove the condition of the unit before the tenant moved in? We make sure the answer is always yes.
Move-In Condition Report
Room-by-room photos and a written condition statement before the tenant ever gets a key.
Routine Inspections
Periodic checks during the tenancy catch problems early, with proper entry notice every time.
Move-Out Walk-Through
Compared directly against the move-in report to separate real damage from normal wear and tear.
Deposit Reconciliation
An itemized deduction list, backed by documentation, sent well inside the legal deadline.
The 45-Day Deadline Nobody Can Afford to Miss
Maryland’s security deposit rules are unforgiving of paperwork mistakes. Miss the deadline or skip the documentation, and you can lose the right to withhold anything, no matter how much damage there actually is.
- Move-in documentation: your lease has to include a statement of the property's condition. We go well beyond the minimum with a dated, room-by-room photo report.
- Tenant's right to be present: if a tenant sends written notice at least 15 days before moving, they have the right to attend the move-out inspection. We track this and schedule accordingly.
- 45-day itemization deadline: after the tenancy ends, you must send a written, itemized list of deductions with supporting documentation, and return the remaining deposit with interest, within 45 days. There's no extension.
- Allowed deductions only: damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent or utility bills, and costs from an eviction judgment. Ordinary wear doesn't qualify, and we document the difference.
- The penalty for missing it: if the 45-day deadline or the itemized list is missed, Maryland law says you lose the right to keep any part of the deposit, and the tenant can sue for up to three times the amount withheld.
From Move-In to Deposit Return
Move-In Report
Before the tenant moves in, we photograph and document the condition of every room. This becomes the baseline for the entire tenancy.
Move-Out Walk-Through
We schedule the inspection around the tenant’s right to be present, then compare the unit against the move-in report room by room.
Itemized Settlement
We send the itemized deduction list with documentation and return the balance with interest, well inside the 45-day deadline.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to return a security deposit?
What happens if I miss the 45-day deadline?
Can a tenant be present for the move-out inspection?
What can actually be deducted from a security deposit?
Do you handle exterior and vacant unit checks too?
Stop managing.
Start owning.
Free 15-minute call. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Or call (240) 580-8581 · [email protected]