Guide5 min read

Sober Living Resident Intake Checklist

Complete intake checklist for sober living homes. Everything you need to collect, verify, and document when a new resident moves in.

Alec Rodriguez·Founder, RecoveryOS·April 2026

Illustration of a checklist with items being checked off for sober living resident intake

Intake is where everything starts. Get it right, and the resident understands the rules, the financials, and what's expected. Get it wrong, and you spend months chasing paperwork, arguing about policies, and dealing with problems that could have been prevented.

Here's a complete intake checklist you can use for every new resident.

Before Move-In

These should be completed and verified before the resident walks in the door:

Application reviewed and approved

Screening criteria met (recovery history, stability, safety)

Phone or video interview completed

References checked (treatment center, sponsor, or prior sober home)

Background check completed (if part of your policy)

Bed assigned and room confirmed

Move-in date communicated to resident

Intake packet sent (digitally preferred)

Don't let anyone move in before the screening is complete. Urgency is not a reason to skip the process. One bad intake decision affects every other resident in the house.

💡 Pro Tip

Send the intake packet digitally before move-in day. Residents can review and sign documents on their phone. When they arrive, everything is done and you can focus on welcoming them instead of shuffling paperwork.

Documents to Collect

Government-issued photo ID (copy stored securely)

Signed house rules agreement

Signed financial agreement (rent amount, due date, late fee policy, deposit amount)

Emergency contact form (at least two contacts)

Medical information form (allergies, medications, conditions)

Medication disclosure (all current prescriptions — verify with pharmacy or prescriber)

Consent forms (as required by your state or certification body)

Consent for drug and alcohol testing

Privacy/confidentiality acknowledgment

Vehicle information (if applicable — make, model, license plate)

Insurance information (health insurance, not required but helpful for referrals)

What to Verify

Identity — Check the photo ID in person. Make sure it matches the application.

Sobriety — Conduct a baseline drug test on move-in day. This protects you and the house.

Medications — Verify all disclosed medications are prescribed. Residents on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) like Suboxone or Vivitrol should have documentation from their prescriber. Know your house policy on MAT before intake.

Financial readiness — Collect the security deposit and first payment before or on move-in day. Don't let a resident settle in and then negotiate payment. Your rent policy starts at intake.

Recovery support — Ask about their current recovery plan. Are they attending meetings? Do they have a sponsor? Are they enrolled in IOP or outpatient? This isn't a requirement for every home, but it tells you where the person is in their recovery.

Move-In Day

Baseline drug and alcohol test completed

Security deposit collected

First rent payment collected

Room walkthrough with resident (document existing condition)

Keys and/or access codes provided

Tour of the property (common areas, laundry, parking, emergency exits)

Introduction to house manager and current residents

Chore assignment given

House meeting schedule shared

Wi-Fi password and house contact information provided

Recovery meeting schedule for the local area provided

Within the First Week

Check in with resident — how are they settling in?

Confirm they've attended required recovery meetings

Verify employment or job search plan

Ensure they understand the house rules and daily schedule

Address any questions or concerns early

Add resident to house communication channel (app or group)

The first week sets the tone. A quick check-in shows the resident you care, and it catches small issues before they become big ones.

How RecoveryOS Simplifies Intake

RecoveryOS handles the entire intake workflow digitally. The applicant applies online. Their application is scored automatically. When approved, the intake packet — house rules, financial agreement, consent forms — sends itself. The resident signs everything from their phone before move-in day.

On move-in day, all you need is the drug test and the handshake. Everything else is already done, signed, timestamped, and stored securely in the system. No paper, no chasing, no missing documents.

Stop doing this by hand.

RecoveryOS automates rent, screening, chores, and documents. Try every feature for $1 your first month.

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