A neatly organized to-do list on a clipboard next to a laptop and pen, conveying productivity. — Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

15 checklists

Printable, do-this-next checklists

Due diligence, financing documents, inspection day, closing, tenant screening. Print them, check the boxes, miss nothing.

Step 1 Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Checklist Everything to verify before you remove contingencies on your first rental — the documents, inspections, and numbers that separate a good deal from an expensive lesson. Read →
Step 2 Financing Document Checklist (W-2 Borrowers) The exact paperwork a W-2 employee needs to qualify for a first rental loan — pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of reserves, gathered before you apply. Read →
Step 3 Financing Document Checklist (Self-Employed Borrowers) What self-employed and 1099 borrowers need to qualify for a first rental loan — two years of returns, profit and loss statements, business docs, and bank statements, prepared in advance. Read →
Step 4 Inspection-Day Checklist What to watch and ask about while a professional inspects your first rental — roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, sewer line, and the systems that quietly cost the most. Read →
Step 5 Closing-Day Checklist Everything to bring and verify on the day you close your first rental — your ID, certified funds, the final walkthrough, the Closing Disclosure, the title, and the keys. Read →
Step 6 Property Turnover Checklist (Vacancy to Ready-to-Rent) How to take a vacant unit from empty to leasable — cleaning, paint, repairs, rekeyed locks, safety checks, photos, and a listing that attracts qualified tenants fast. Read →
Step 7 Tenant Screening Checklist A fair, consistent way to screen applicants for your first rental — written criteria, income verification, credit and background checks, prior-landlord references, and clean records. Read →
Step 8 Lease Signing Checklist What to confirm before you and your new tenant sign — a state-specific lease, the deposit, required disclosures, house rules, complete signatures, and copies for everyone. Read →
Step 9 Move-In Walk-Through Checklist Document your rental's exact condition on move-in day so deposit disputes never become your word against the tenant's — photos, meters, keys, and a signed condition form. Read →
Step 10 Year-One Landlord Tax Prep Checklist Get your first rental's books ready for tax season — income records, expense categories, depreciation basis, 1099s, and mileage — so filing is tidy instead of a frantic shoebox hunt. Read →
Step 11 Insurance Coverage Checklist Make sure your first rental is actually protected — the right landlord policy, liability limits, loss-of-rent coverage, flood, and umbrella — before a claim reveals a gap you never knew you had. Read →
Step 12 CapEx 5-Year Forecast Checklist Map the big-ticket replacements coming to your first rental — roof, HVAC, water heater, flooring, paint, appliances — so a five-year capital plan replaces nasty surprises with funded reserves. Read →
Step 13 Maintenance Reserve Calculation Worksheet Figure out how much cash your first rental should bank every month for repairs — using a percent of rent, a per-unit floor, age adjustments, and seasonal items — so a broken furnace never breaks you. Read →
Step 14 End-of-Year Owner Report Checklist Build a clear year-end review of your first rental — income, expenses, occupancy, capital work done, rent versus market, and a plan for next year — so you manage the property instead of just reacting to it. Read →
Step 15 Eviction Prevention Checklist Stop most evictions before they start — through careful screening, a clear lease, early communication, fair payment plans, and good records — so you rarely face the slow, costly path of removing a tenant. Read →