Move in Check list - a trap?

Move in Check list -- a trap? - 1

Added (1). I moved into a luxury apartment a week ago. When I was moving in, the rental specialist brought a move in condition list asked me to sign, telling me she already checked everything. If there was problem I found later, I could report. I trusted her, and however, during the following week, I found many small issues: 1. One deep scratch on the cabinet. 2. Microwave handle is chipped. 3. The tub had a couple small chips and were patched up before. Now the fixes were coming off.

Added (2). I did not put that on the move in check list. What should I do? Would I be liable for this? I did take pictures, the iphone dated the photos.

Yes, you could be liable for this. I would send them a letter stating the issues, send it priority post, printout and save the tracking number and a copy of the letter that you can show these were found early in the lease. They are going to have a hard time, if these are the only things when you move out, that they all occurred in the first week.

You send your photos along with a written report about these things, and saying re: your check list which I signed having you said everything was checked and that if/when I found anything different, please see photos taken/dated to add an attachment to your check list and sign it

Move in check list is for you as well as the owner. It shows where the problem are and you are then not held liable for them when you move.

Your mistake was to sign a check-in report before doing the walk through with the rental specialist.
Take photos of the damage you saw. Make sure the photos are time stamped. Send these to the rental specialist explaining the details and when you found the issues. Ask that this damage be noted on the check-in report and that the rental specialist initial the changes. Have a copy sent to you.
If the specialist has integrity she will follow up on this and honour your request. If nothing is done then keep your fingers crossed that you will not be accused of doing the damage.

Never under-estimate the importance of a check-in report document. That and photos of the place before you moved your stuff in are the only protection you have.

Lesson learned. Never sign a pre-filled out check list. Write out a list of the deficiencies you found & submit a copy with your date stamped pictures.