How do I document my apartment before moving out to protect my deposit?
Record the condition
Start with a walk-through a few days before you leave, and record each room with dated photos or a short video. Include walls, floors, appliances, bathrooms and closets. Photograph any damage you did not cause, since those photos help separate normal wear from new problems.
Compare the photos with your move-in report if you have one. If you do not, your early photos and any texts about the unit's condition can help. Use clear, close-up shots for scuffs, stains and broken fixtures.
- Date-stamp each photo or video
- Cover every room, closet and appliance
- Note damage that existed before you moved in
- Send a written move-out condition report
Send it and keep proof
Email the landlord a list of the condition with photos attached, and ask them to reply. This creates a timestamped record of the unit's state when you left. Keep the sent email, the attachments and any reply in a folder.
Return keys and get a written confirmation of the move-out date. Ask for a final walk-through if the landlord allows it, and note who was present. Ask the landlord to confirm in writing that they received your photos and the list, since that confirmation can be useful later.
Common mistakes
- Relying only on memory of how the unit looked.
- Taking photos without dates or without showing the whole room.
- Returning keys without written confirmation or a final walk-through.
Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return my security deposit?
- Can my landlord keep my security deposit for breaking the lease?
- What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit?
- Is normal wear and tear deducted from a security deposit?
- Do I have to pay for cleaning when I move out?
- How do I dispute unfair deductions from my security deposit?