Sample reports
Three sample reports, one per product. Pick the one you want to read.
Sample report: no real property is identified, the address is fictitious or withheld, figures are illustrative.
Overview
A 7-chapter report. Read it in order, or jump straight to what matters to you.
Condition report
Valley Village, Los Angeles
Your scout visited this 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom split-level townhouse condo on a Wednesday morning at 5 PM. The unit delivers on the agent's claims of bright, south and west-facing windows with abundant natural light, though there are meaningful trade-offs around noise, soundproofing, and aging appliances that merit direct conversation with the landlord before signing.
First impressions
Contents
Tap any chapter to jump straight there.
6 categories evaluated on site
Chapter 0218 photos from the visit
Chapter 03Recorded by your scout
Chapter 048 postcards
Chapter 05Common areas + neighborhood
Chapter 06The scout’s call, plus questions to ask
Chapter 07Plain-language tenant guide
This report reflects observations made by Scoutmyplace during a single on-site visit. It is provided as an independent second opinion to help you make a more informed renting decision. It is not a legal, structural, or professional inspection.
The scout reviewed aspects of the property visible to a careful occupant: light, noise, surfaces, appliances, common areas, neighborhood feel, following a structured checklist. This is a visual assessment only: the scout does not test, operate or verify any system, appliance or component. Hidden defects (plumbing, electrical, structural) are out of scope. Photos are time-stamped at the visit.
Every visit follows the same standardized checklist. Scoutmyplace is independent, never compensated by listing agents, brokers, or property owners.
Scoutmyplace's liability is limited to the price paid for this report. Final decisions about whether to rent the property remain entirely with you.
Scoutmyplace owns the report content and may share its findings with future clients of the same property. Photos and footage may not be redistributed by you without Scoutmyplace's written consent.
Chapter 01
Each category scored 1-10 by the scout based on what was observed on-site.
Excellent
The unit gets strong natural light throughout the day. South and west-facing windows flood most rooms.
Observations
Concerns
Below average
Noise is the main issue with this unit.
Observations
Concerns
Average
All paintwork has been redone. Walls and ceilings are freshly painted in neutral tones.
Observations
Concerns
Average
The unit is clean and well-maintained. The hardwood floors are new. Security doors have been recently replaced. All baseboards are new. Paint is fresh throughout.
Observations
Concerns
Average
Five-unit, two-story yellow building built in the 2000s. Overall condition is good.
Observations
Concerns
Excellent
The unit gets lots of light. South and west-facing windows flood the space throughout the day.
Observations
Concerns
Your scout measured noise with the phone's microphone, so the values are reported on the digital audio scale (dBFS). They look unusual at first glance: they are always negative, and the closer the number is to zero, the louder the sound. So −18 dB is loud and −60 dB is silent. Use this scale to interpret what your report shows.
Phone microphones aren't calibrated like a professional sonometer, so treat these values as a consistent feel rather than an absolute measurement.
How the scout arrives at each score, and how to read this report.
Score scale
Window orientation, time of day, what's blocking the light (neighboring buildings, balconies, trees), and how each main room felt in person.
Street traffic, neighbor noise audible through walls, building hum (HVAC, elevator), ambient quiet during the visit. Measured by ear, not by meter.
Walls, floors, paintwork, doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, appliances. Notes call out what's clearly worn vs. what's just cosmetic.
How the unit was presented at the time of the visit. Common spaces, kitchen surfaces, bathroom, visible odor or pest signs.
Exterior, common hallways, elevator, mailboxes, security, laundry rooms. The kind of details visible only from inside the building.
The scout's gestalt take after the full walkthrough — does the property hold together as a livable home, beyond any individual issue?
Chapter 02
Tap any photo to enlarge. Use the chips below to jump to a specific room.
Chapter 03
The walkthrough recorded by your scout, uncut: what they saw, in real time.
On a delivered report, the full walkthrough plays here, from the front door to the last room, with the chapters below. This sample shows a still from the visit.
Chapter 04
One snapshot per room — what your scout chose to surface from the walkthrough.
Chapter 05
Scout's neighborhood note
The unit and building face busy Laurel Canyon Boulevard. However, the neighborhood itself is quiet and residential, mostly small houses in different styles. It's a safe area where you'll see kids playing outside and basketball hoops. Main roads are easy to reach from here.
Chapter 06
Scout's verdict
This unit suits someone who values light, space, and modern finishes, and who works from home or occupies the unit primarily during daylight hours. The noise trade-off is non-negotiable: if you are light-sleeping, work nights, or are sensitive to constant traffic hum, this location will be exhausting. Before committing, ask the landlord directly about plans to repair the broken appliances and fixtures, and consider whether you could live contentedly with persistent street noise as the price of the brightness and layout. The recent cosmetic updates mask aging appliances and deferred maintenance, so a detailed conversation about repair timeline and cost responsibility is essential.
Main strengths
Points to consider
The listing accurately describes abundant natural light from south and west-facing windows, high ceilings, a fireplace, sliding glass doors to balcony patios, and a private rooftop deck with canyon views. All of these are present. However, the listing omits critical livability factors: Street noise from Laurel Canyon Boulevard is persistent and loud enough to penetrate the bedrooms. Sound insulation is poor. The scout rates this as the unit's single greatest trade-off. The kitchen appliances are aging and in poor condition. The dishwasher (5-10+ years old) malfunctions and emits a bad smell. The refrigerator's water dispenser and ice maker don't work. The stove is also 5-10+ years old. The listing calls the kitchen "well-equipped" without disclosing these failures. The gas fireplace doesn't work. Additional repairs needed: the master bathroom shelf is damaged. Screens are broken on the balcony door and bedroom door. Door handles are loose. The rooftop has water stains. The listing presents the unit as move-in ready. In reality, several appliances need replacement or repair, and deferred maintenance is visible throughout.
Before you sign — questions for the landlord
Chapter 07 · California
A renter's plain-language guide to what protects you, what you can ask the landlord to fix, what to spot in the lease before signing, and what to do if things go wrong. Read it before you sign anything.
Your apartment must be livable
Heating, hot water, electricity, plumbing, no leaks, no rats, no mold. California calls this the "warranty of habitability" — your landlord legally has to keep all of it working.
Your deposit is capped
Maximum 1 month of rent for unfurnished, 2 months for furnished. Anything more is illegal (CA Civil Code § 1950.5).
21 days to get your deposit back
After move-out, the landlord has 21 days to either return the full deposit OR send you an itemized list of deductions with receipts. No itemization within 21 days = they owe you the full deposit.
Rent increases are limited
For apartments 15+ years old, annual rent hikes are capped at 5% plus local inflation, with a hard ceiling of 10% (AB 1482). Some cities — LA, Glendale, Burbank — have stricter local rules on top.
24 hours notice before entering
Your landlord can't just walk in. They must give 24 hours written notice except for real emergencies like a fire or flood.
No retaliation for reporting issues
If you report a problem to your landlord or to a housing authority, they can't raise your rent, evict you, or harass you in response for the next 6 months.
Working heating in every room
A heater that doesn't reach a livable temperature is a habitability violation. Test it during the visit and ask for repairs in writing if it's weak or broken.
No active leaks anywhere
Under-sink leaks, ceiling stains, dripping faucets, slow drains. Document them with photos and ask for repairs before move-in or in writing right after.
Working smoke & CO detectors
Required by law in every bedroom and hallway. Press the test button on each one — if any don't beep, the landlord must replace them.
Functional locks on every door
Front door deadbolt, sliding doors, windows that lock. Broken locks must be replaced — this is a basic security right, not an upgrade.
A move-in condition list signed by both
Walk through the apartment with the landlord (or alone with photos) and list every existing scratch, stain, scuff. Without this list, they can deduct anything from your deposit later.
A pest-free apartment
Rats, roaches, bedbugs are the landlord's problem, not yours. Request treatment in writing — email or text creates a record.
More than 2 months deposit
Illegal in California regardless of furnishing. If they ask, they're either misinformed or testing you — push back or walk away.
An "AS-IS" or "no warranty" clause
Some leases try to make you waive your habitability rights. These clauses are usually unenforceable in California — but they're a clear sign of a landlord looking to dodge responsibility.
Vague "wear and tear" language
Faded paint, light carpet wear, scuffed walls are normal wear and not deductible from your deposit. If the lease tries to charge you for any of these, get specifics or ask to remove the clause.
No 24-hour entry notice rule
If the lease says the landlord can enter anytime "as needed", that clause is void — but it tells you what kind of landlord you're dealing with.
Blanket "no pets" without exception
Service animals and emotional support animals are protected under federal Fair Housing law. A "no pets" clause cannot apply to them — make sure the lease acknowledges that.
Document everything in writing
Texts, emails, photos with dates. A paper trail protects you far more than a verbal promise — even a quick text "confirming our chat about the leak" counts.
Send a formal repair request
Email or certified mail. State the issue, the date you reported it, and a reasonable deadline (10-14 days for non-emergency). Keep your copy.
Contact your city's housing department
LA: Housing + Community Investment Department (HCIDLA, hcidla.lacity.org). Glendale + Burbank have their own code enforcement. They inspect for free and can pressure the landlord directly.
Use free legal help — don't pay until you've tried
Stay Housed LA, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, BASTA, or your local tenant union. Most offer free consultations and can write demand letters that carry weight.
Rent withholding is possible but tricky
CA Civil Code § 1942 lets you withhold rent if the landlord doesn't fix a serious habitability issue in reasonable time. But the procedure matters — get free legal advice before doing it on your own.
📚 Free official resources
⚠️ Disclaimer. General information, not legal advice. Tenant rights and rental law evolve and depend on your specific situation. For your case, consult a qualified attorney or one of the free resources above before making decisions.
About this sample
This sample is here to show what a Scoutmyplace report looks like. It identifies no real property: the address shown is fictitious or withheld, and figures such as surface, rent, dates or prices are illustrative. Do not rely on it for any decision about a property, a tenancy or a deposit.
It is built from a real visit. The address, the unit number, the rent and the surface were changed; the observations and the scores come from that visit's report.
Book this report
Paid once, per report. Delivered within 24 hours of the visit, online and as a PDF.