What to photograph during a move-out inspection

The single biggest reason landlords lose deposit disputes isn't bad documentation — it's incomplete documentation. A camera roll of 12 photos from a 4-room unit is not a defensible record. Here's the specific shot list.

Per room: the wide-then-close pattern

For every room, take at least:

1. One wide shot from each corner showing the full room.
2. One close-up of any visible damage — even minor — with a ruler or coin in frame for scale.
3. Close-ups of every wall, even if undamaged, to establish baseline condition.
4. Photos of the floor in walking paths, under furniture footprints, and along walls.
5. All ceiling fans, light fixtures, and outlets in the on position to prove function.

Specific items tenants commonly dispute

These are the high-friction areas where missing photos produce the most lost cases:

• Behind furniture (sofas, beds, desks) — tenants commonly claim damage was 'always there, just hidden.'
• Inside cabinets and drawers — interior damage is often missed at move-in inspection.
• Inside the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator — appliance interiors are inspected far less often than they should be.
• Window screens, blinds, and tracks — easy to break, easy to forget.
• Closet rods, shelves, and walls — often skipped in walkthroughs.
• Behind the toilet, under the bathroom vanity, around the tub seal.
• All locks and keys (returned/missing) — photograph the key set returned at handoff.
• Patio, balcony, fence, exterior lighting, and any storage areas.

Photos that establish baseline cleanliness

Cleaning is one of the most disputed deductions. To deduct for cleaning above standard turnover, you need to show what 'standard' looked like at move-in and what the move-out condition actually was. The judge needs to see the same area at both points — not your verbal description.

What to do with the photos

1. Caption each photo with the room and what it shows. Most phones support this in the photos app.
2. Group photos by room in a single folder or report. Avoid sending the judge an undifferentiated stream.
3. Include in the deduction letter (or attached PDF) only the photos relevant to claimed deductions — but keep the full set for trial.
4. If your jurisdiction requires it, send the photo evidence to the tenant with the itemization. Many courts treat this as good faith and inadmissibility risks drop.