Commercial building inspection checklist

A walk-through for property managers and tenants before a lease, at move-in or once a year.

Use it on screen
Commercial building…ExteriorInteriorSystemsDocumentation🏬
How to use itUse it for a visual walk-through and to decide where a qualified inspector or engineer is needed. Record photos and findings for each area.

Who uses the commercial building inspection checklist and when

A structured walk-through helps tenants and owners agree on condition before a lease and helps plan repairs.

It is a visual checklist. Structural, electrical, fire and accessibility compliance require qualified professionals.

14 items. Keep it on a tablet, or print a copy for the clipboard.

Exterior

Interior

Systems

Documentation

Using the commercial building inspection checklist well

  1. Inspect with the owner and tenant together.
  2. Photograph everything.
  3. Agree who fixes what.
  4. Schedule specialist inspections.
  5. Repeat yearly.

The commercial building inspection checklist in practice

Before signing a lease for a new clinic, the tenant and landlord walk the space. They record a stained ceiling tile, an HVAC unit last serviced three years ago and a missing exit sign. The lease includes the landlord fixing all three before move-in.

What the commercial building inspection checklist protects you from

A dated condition record protects both sides when the lease ends and the landlord reviews damage against the security deposit. It also flags fire and life safety items, like exit signs and extinguisher tags, that the fire code expects to be in place before the space is occupied.

Sample commercial building inspection checklist, filled in

Property 1180 Commerce Dr, Suite B, Boise ID
Purpose Pre-lease walk for Pine Ridge Physical Therapy
Exterior Two parking lot lights out at rear
Interior Stained ceiling tile in front office, dry on meter
Systems RTU installed 2011, last service 2022
Fire safety Extinguisher tag expired Jan; exit sign missing at back
Responsible party Landlord to fix all four before move-in

The ceiling stain was checked with a meter and found dry, so it is recorded but not treated as an active leak. The 2011 rooftop unit is not a defect on its own, but its age is worth noting because it affects who pays when it fails.

Commercial building inspection checklist mistakes

Adjusting the commercial building inspection checklist for your team

Restaurants taking a leaseAdd the grease trap, hood exhaust and gas service size, which are costly surprises if they are missing or undersized.
Light industrial unitsAdd loading dock doors, floor load signs and three-phase power at the panel to the systems section.
Pro tipAsk for the last two years of maintenance invoices for the HVAC and roof. A short paper trail tells you more about condition than a quick look can.

Questions about the commercial building inspection checklist

Is this a professional inspection?

No. It is a visual walk-through.

When should I use it?

Before a lease, at move-in and yearly.

Who pays for repairs?

Per your lease.

What about accessibility?

Get a qualified review.

What should a tenant check before signing a commercial lease?

Walk the space with the landlord and look at HVAC age and service history, roof leaks shown as ceiling stains, electrical panel capacity and labeling, restrooms and exit signs. Photograph everything and attach the list to the lease so it is clear which defects existed before you moved in. Ask which party is responsible for each building system under the lease terms.

Who is responsible for HVAC repairs in a commercial lease?

It depends on the lease. In a triple net lease the tenant often pays for HVAC maintenance and repairs, while a gross lease usually leaves it with the landlord. Some leases split it, with the tenant handling routine service and the landlord replacing the unit at end of life, so read the clause before you sign.

Useful next reads

More for the same job

Useful next steps

Run it as a recurring task

EZTime tasks can repeat on a schedule, ask for a photo when they are done and warn a manager when one is overdue.

Disclaimer: This template is general information to adapt to your own workplace. It is not legal, safety or compliance advice and does not replace inspections, training or requirements set by law, regulators, manufacturers or your insurer. Check the rules that apply to you with a qualified professional.