Inventory and condition report
The inventory and condition report (état des lieux) describes the condition of a rented home, room by room, when the tenant moves in and again when they move out.
It is drawn up jointly by landlord and tenant, or by an expert, and signed by both. At the end of the lease, comparing the two reports shows any damage the tenant is responsible for.
Dated photos, meter readings and a list of keys make it more robust. A precise move-in report prevents most disputes over the return of the deposit.