What is a punch list in a new apartment?
A punch list is a written list of small items that need fixing in a new unit: a caulk gap, a sticking door, a vent that doesn’t blow hard enough. New construction almost always has a few. The goal isn’t to find a perfect unit; it’s to get every item written down, dated, and fixed. At lease-up apartments, we help you do that at day 7 and day 30.
Step 1: The move-in condition form (first 48 hours)
Your lease likely includes a move-in condition form. Fill it out within 48 hours, or the window your lease states:
- Photograph each room with timestamps
- Note every scuff, chip, stain, or gap
- Submit it and keep a dated copy
The form protects your deposit at move-out, and it starts your punch list. Our move-in checklist covers what to test on day one.
Common new-build items
| Area | Common items |
|---|---|
| Finishes | Caulk gaps at tubs and counters, paint touch-ups, trim gaps |
| Doors and windows | Sticking or misaligned doors, loose hardware, slider tracks, screens |
| HVAC | Uneven airflow (HVAC balancing), noisy fans, thermostat settings |
| Plumbing | Slow drains, loose fixtures, hot water delay, minor leaks |
| Appliances | Dishwasher, washer and dryer, ice maker, range hood |
| Electrical | Dead outlets, switches wired to the wrong fixture, fixture bulbs |
West-facing units can show HVAC balancing issues on the first hot afternoons. Travis County HVAC is sized to a 99°F design temperature, so a room that lags on a 99°F day is worth reporting. Noise through walls and floors is a building rating rather than a punch-list item; our guide on whether new apartments are soundproof explains STC and IIC 50.
One item per request
Separate requests for separate items make it easier to track what’s done. Bundle only items in the same spot, like several caulk gaps in one bathroom.
Step 2: Day 7 punch list
By day 7 you’ve lived in the unit a week and found most of the obvious items. Submit them in writing through the maintenance portal. Include:
- The item and its location
- A photo
- Whether it affects use (a leak) or is cosmetic (a paint scuff)
Step 3: Day 30 punch list and ledger check
At day 30, check two things:
- Open items: what was fixed, what wasn’t, and anything new.
- Your ledger: whether the special posted as written. See ledger check for what to do if it didn’t.
Following up
If an item isn’t fixed, follow up in writing and reference the original request and its date. Most communities resolve small items within days. Warranty repairs that need a contractor, such as HVAC or appliance replacement, can take longer; ask for an expected date.
What we do
If you leased through us, we follow up with the community at day 7 and day 30, check your ledger for the special, and take any unresolved item up with the community in writing. Then we report back with what’s scheduled and when. At month 10, we run a Renewal Check with current comps.
