New-Build Tour and Move-In Checklist

What should you check on a new-build tour and at move-in?

Business owners and homeowners know that “brand new” does not mean flawless.

From what I have seen, a fresh coat of paint often hides systems that need immediate adjustment.

We created this guide to turn those early surprises into simple fixes.

This new apartment tour checklist covers both the tour and the move-in process for any building on our New Build Board.

Let’s look at the data, what it is actually telling us, and explore practical ways to respond.

The one deadline to remember

The TAA move-in inventory form is typically due within 48 hours. Photograph first, then fill it out.

Part 1: Tour checklist

Noise Evaluation

You want to stand quietly in the bedroom during your tour. What do you hear from the hallway, neighbors, or the street?

We always recommend asking for the building’s specific STC (Sound Transmission Class) and IIC (Impact Insulation Class) ratings. The International Building Code minimum for Texas is 50. Luxury developments in 2026 frequently target a 55 or higher rating to prevent noise complaints.

HVAC and Comfort

Your mechanical systems matter immensely in a Texas summer. Bexar County has a brutal cooling design temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

We see regional air conditioning units running up to 2,800 hours a year, which is double the national average. Ask what size system the unit has and whether the filter was changed at turnover. West-facing units work significantly harder in July, so feel the airflow at each specific vent.

Finishes and Pending Construction

Open every cabinet and drawer to ensure doors close evenly. Run every faucet and flush every toilet to look for slow drains.

Our process includes checking flooring seams and baseboards for gaps. Test all outlets with a phone charger to verify power.

What is finished versus pending

A beautiful model unit does not guarantee completed amenities. Ask which facilities are open today, like the pool, gym, package room, or dog park.

We suggest securing a written completion date for anything still pending. Another construction phase going up nearby could mean months of morning noise.

On the tour	Ask for in writing
Special applies to this unit	The concession terms and end date
Fee sheet	Every required monthly fee
Amenity completion	Expected dates for anything pending
Move-in date	Confirmed date, plus delivery language

Part 2: Move-in day checklist

You need to protect your investment from day one. Following a detailed apartment move in checklist Texas residents trust helps you establish a clear baseline.

1. Photograph everything before you unpack. Every room, wall, floor, window, appliance, and fixture needs documentation. Include close-ups of any scratch, chip, stain, or gap with dated photos.
2. Test everything. Appliances, HVAC, water pressure, hot water, lights, outlets, smoke detectors, door locks, and windows require a physical check.
3. Fill out the move in inventory form TAA requires. This critical Texas Apartment Association document is typically due within 48 hours. List every defect, keep a copy, and do not leave any blank spaces.
4. Submit work orders in writing. Use the resident portal so there is a dated, digital record.
5. Confirm utilities are on in your name. Local providers like CPS Energy, NBU, the co-op, or SAWS require direct confirmation depending on your specific address.

We advise handling all five steps before moving a single box inside. This discipline saves countless headaches later.

Part 3: Day 7 and Day 30 checks

A week into living in your new space, review your initial work orders. Has management addressed everything from the move-in form? You should note anything new you have found after a week of normal daily use.

At the 30-day mark, check your property ledger for the following details:

• Base rent matches your signed lease
• Concession specials are correctly applied
• No duplicate utility billing fees

This 30-day review catches billing errors early.

Our team checks in with clients at both points. Missing concessions or surprise fees get raised directly with the community in writing.

We run a Renewal Check at month 10 before your renewal offer arrives. This proactive step gives you time to negotiate.

When something needs fixing

First-year defects and warranty repairs are the community’s legal responsibility. Texas Property Code Section 92.052 requires landlords to fix conditions that materially affect health and safety. You must log these requests in writing, ideally via certified mail, and be current on your rent.

Repair Timeline Standard

Texas law considers seven days a reasonable response time for standard, non-emergency repairs.

Keep a detailed record of their response time.

Our guide on living in a lease-up building covers what to expect in the first year and how to escalate effectively. Property owners cannot legally retaliate against you for requesting necessary maintenance. Texas Property Code Section 92.331 creates a six-month window where raising rent or evicting you is presumed retaliatory after a valid repair request.

We see this legal protection give tenants significant peace of mind. Knowing your rights changes the entire conversation.

What to bring to a tour

Preparation dictates the success of your property tours. Treat this process like a formal site inspection.

• A phone with a 3D scanning app like Polycam or Magicplan, which uses the 2026 LiDAR features to instantly measure room dimensions for furniture.
• A physical tape measure for verifying specific appliance clearances.
• This printed checklist or a digital copy saved to your device.
• A defined list of absolute must-haves and deal-breakers.
• Specific questions about fees, the concession special, and guaranteed move-in dates.

Touring several buildings in one afternoon gets confusing fast. Take a photo of each building’s exterior sign and unit number before you go inside.

We suggest doing this to make your photo library much easier to sort later. That simple habit prevents major mix-ups.

Comparing units after the tour

Right after each tour, jot down three things while they remain fresh in your mind. Record what you liked, what worried you, and anything the leasing office promised verbally. Then, compare buildings based on the true net effective rent, not just how the staged model unit felt.

The 2026 Texas apartment market is highly competitive. Recent RealPage data shows that roughly 20% of stabilized units in major Texas metros offer concessions, often averaging four to six weeks of free rent. You must factor these discounts into your long-term budget.

We send a side-by-side comparison of your top picks after the tours. The numbers are confirmed in writing to eliminate any guesswork.

Our analysis highlights the true monthly cost and the projected year-two expenses. This data gives you total clarity.

Comparison Metric	Why it Matters
Net Effective Rent	Averages out the value of a free month concession
Base Rent	The actual rate you pay after the initial special expires
Monthly Fees	Trash, pest, and amenity fees add up quickly

Move-out starts at move-in

The photos and inventory form you complete at move-in actively protect your deposit when you leave. Keep them stored securely in a digital folder where you will find them in a year or two. Texas Property Code Section 92.103 mandates that a landlord refund a security deposit within 30 days of move-out.

That 30-day clock only starts after you provide a written forwarding address. When you move out, photograph the unit again in the exact same way.

We instruct clients to document the following items to show the condition at both ends of the lease:

• Written forwarding address delivery
• Time-stamped exit photos of all rooms
• Final utility disconnect confirmation

This documentation stops arbitrary deductions for normal wear and tear.

Use this checklist with us

Please share your shortlist today and save this new apartment tour checklist.

Our team confirms the special, fee sheet, and amenity status in writing before your scheduled tour. If you are touring by video, your remote walk-through will cover every crucial item in Part 1.

We look forward to securing your perfect new space.