Checklist template

Vacant property inspection

A ready-to-use checklist with 116 items in 6 sections, covering Exterior, Security, Utilities, Interior condition, Pests, Winterization. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 116 Items
  • 97 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 127 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Exterior 20 items

  1. Date the property became vacant Date
  2. Type of vacant property Choice
    • Freestanding building
    • Unit in a strip center
    • Unit in an enclosed mall
    • Office or warehouse
  3. The parking lot is free of dumped material (tires, furniture, construction debris) Yes / No 1 pt
  4. No abandoned or unauthorized vehicles are parked on the lot Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Grass and weeds are cut to the height required by the municipality or the landlord Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Trees and shrubs do not hide doors or windows from the street Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Litter has been picked up along the building line and the fence line Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No graffiti is visible on walls, doors or dumpster enclosures Yes / No 1 pt
  9. All exterior glass is intact, with no cracked or broken panes Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Former brand signs have been removed or covered as company policy requires Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Sign removal left no exposed wiring on the fascia or the pylon Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The roof was viewed from the ground or the hatch and shows no displaced flashing or missing panels Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Gutters and downspouts are attached and free of visible blockage Yes / No 1 pt
  14. No standing water lies against the foundation Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Sidewalks and curbs used by the public have no raised edge, hole or broken slab Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The dumpster has been removed or is locked Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Newspapers, flyers and mail have not accumulated at the entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  18. A notice with the property contact telephone number is posted at the entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Parking lot lights that are kept on for security come on at dusk or by timer Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Exterior appearance from the street Rating
    • Looks cared for 5 pts
    • Shows some neglect 3 pts
    • Clearly abandoned 1 pt

2. Security 20 items

  1. Every exterior door was physically tried during this visit and found locked Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Locks were changed or re-keyed after the last occupant left Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Windows and storefront glass at ground level are locked or boarded Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The roof hatch is locked from the inside Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The roof access ladder is caged or locked off Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The receiving door is padlocked or pinned from the inside Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Night deposit, drive-through and pass-through openings are secured from the inside Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The alarm system was armed on arrival Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The alarm monitoring company's call list on file names only people who still work for the company or the property manager Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The alarm panel shows no trouble or low-battery signal Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Security cameras left in service are recording Yes / No 1 pt
  12. No sign of forced entry (pry marks, broken locks, cut fencing) was found Yes / No 1 pt
  13. No sign of people living in or around the building (bedding, food waste, fire remains) was found Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Copper pipe, wiring and rooftop units show no sign of theft or tampering Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Interior lights on timers for security operate as set Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No safe, cash equipment or stock of value remains in the building Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Local police or the security patrol have been told the property is vacant, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The key box or lockbox code has been changed since the last contractor visit, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Alarm activations since the previous inspection Number
  20. Security of the building against entry Rating
    • No weak point found 5 pts
    • Weak points found, no entry 3 pts
    • Entry has occurred 1 pt

3. Utilities 19 items

  1. Electrical service Choice
    • On
    • Reduced to essential circuits
    • Disconnected
  2. Breakers for circuits not needed (signs, cooking equipment, water heaters) are switched off Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The electrical panel is labeled to show which circuits must stay on Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The gas supply is shut off at the meter or at the appliance valves, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No gas odor was noticed inside the building or at the meter Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The main water valve is closed, unless water is needed for fire protection or heating Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The location of the main water shut-off is marked for contractors Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Water meter reading at the time of this visit Number
  9. The water meter reading shows no consumption since the previous inspection Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Electric meter reading at the time of this visit Number
  11. The sprinkler system control valve is open and locked or supervised Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The sprinkler riser gauge shows pressure in its normal range Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The fire alarm panel is powered and shows normal status Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Emergency lights and exit signs still in service light when tested Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Water heaters are switched off or set to vacation mode Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Doors of switched-off refrigeration equipment left on site are propped open Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Floor drain traps have been primed with water or sealed to block sewer gas Yes / No 1 pt
  18. The sump pump runs when its float is lifted Yes / No 1 pt
  19. No disconnection notice or final bill from a utility was found at the door or in the mail Yes / No 1 pt

4. Interior condition 18 items

  1. No water stains have appeared on ceiling tiles since the previous inspection Yes / No 1 pt
  2. No water is standing on the floor in any room Yes / No 1 pt
  3. No active roof leak was found during this visit Yes / No 1 pt
  4. No visible mold growth was found on walls, ceilings or stored material Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The building has no musty odor on entry Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Floors are free of debris and abandoned stock Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Fixtures and equipment listed to stay with the building are still in place Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Combustible material (cardboard, pallets, packaging) has been removed from the building Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No chemicals, propane cylinders or fuel are stored inside Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Ceiling tiles are in place, with no sagging or fallen sections Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Floor tiles show no lifting or buckling Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Restroom fixtures show no leak at the supply lines or the base Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Fire extinguishers left in the building show a pressure gauge in the green zone Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Exit routes inside the building are clear for contractors and emergency crews Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Interior doors are left open to let air circulate, except fire doors Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Indoor temperature at the time of this visit (°F or °C) Number
  17. Indoor relative humidity at the time of this visit (%) Number
  18. Interior condition compared with the previous inspection Rating
    • No change 5 pts
    • Minor deterioration 3 pts
    • New damage needing repair 1 pt

5. Pests 17 items

  1. No rodent droppings were found along walls, in corners or in former food areas Yes / No 1 pt
  2. No gnaw marks were found on door sweeps, wiring or stored material Yes / No 1 pt
  3. No live or dead rodents were found Yes / No 1 pt
  4. No birds are nesting on signs, ledges or rooftop equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No birds have entered the building Yes / No 1 pt
  6. No wasp or hornet nest is attached to the building exterior Yes / No 1 pt
  7. No cockroach or fly activity was found around floor drains Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No sign of raccoons, squirrels or other wildlife was found in the ceiling space or on the roof Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Door sweeps and weather seals close the gap under exterior doors Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Openings around pipes and conduits through exterior walls are sealed Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Roof vents and exhaust openings are screened Yes / No 1 pt
  12. No food, grease or organic waste remains in the building Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Grease traps and interceptors were pumped out after the occupant left Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Exterior bait stations are in place, locked and anchored Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The pest control contractor has visited at the frequency set for vacant properties Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Date of the last pest control service Date
  17. Pest activity found during this visit Rating
    • None 5 pts
    • Old signs only 3 pts
    • Active infestation 1 pt

6. Winterization 22 items

  1. Winter status of the building Choice
    • Heated
    • Drained and unheated
    • Not applicable in this climate
  2. In a heated building, the thermostat is set at or above the minimum set by company policy, commonly 55°F (13°C) Yes / No 1 pt
  3. In a heated building, the heating system was running or cycled on when the thermostat was raised Yes / No 1 pt
  4. In a drained building, domestic water lines have been blown out or drained Yes / No 1 pt
  5. In a drained building, toilet bowls, tanks and traps hold non-toxic antifreeze Yes / No 1 pt
  6. In a drained building, a tag at the main valve warns that the system is drained Yes / No 1 pt
  7. A wet sprinkler system has heat in every area it protects, or has been converted or drained by the fire protection contractor Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Dry sprinkler system low points have been drained ahead of freezing weather Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Exterior hose bibs are shut off from the inside and drained Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The irrigation system has been blown out and its controller switched off Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Rooftop unit condensate lines and evaporative coolers are drained Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Roof drains and scuppers are clear of leaves and debris Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A low-temperature alarm or remote temperature sensor is installed and reporting Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The heating fuel level (propane or oil) is above the reorder point Yes / No 1 pt
  15. A snow and ice contractor is assigned to keep fire lanes and sidewalks clear, as required by local regulation or the lease Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No ice dams or heavy icicles hang from the roof edge Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Snow depth on the roof is below the level at which company policy calls for removal Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Date the building was winterized Date
  19. Freeze protection of the building Rating
    • Fully protected 5 pts
    • Gaps to correct before the next cold spell 3 pts
    • Pipes or sprinklers at risk now 1 pt
  20. Name of the person who inspected the property Short text
  21. Overall condition of the vacant property Rating
    • Secure, dry and unchanged since the last visit 5 pts
    • Secure, with repairs to schedule 3 pts
    • Entry, leak, freeze risk or hazard needing work now 1 pt
  22. Repairs and follow-up required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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