At the time a tenancy agreement is entered into, the landlord must complete and give to the tenant 2 signed copies of an inspection sheet, on which itemised details of the contents and condition of the premises at the beginning of the tenancy are set out [Residential Tenancies Regulations 2010 (SA) reg 4].

The tenant should then go through the premises, preferably with the landlord, and note on the sheet whether or not, in the tenant's opinion, the items are in fact as described by the landlord. This provides a record of the state of the premises at the beginning of the tenancy, and of the tenant's written agreement or objections.

After completing the inspection sheets the tenant should keep one copy and send the other back to the landlord or agent. The inspection sheet is then referenced at the end of the tenancy to see whether any damage has been caused during the tenant's occupation and whether the premises have been left in a reasonably clean condition. If they are to be of any use, it is important that inspection sheets are filled out properly and that a copy is kept by each party.