Move-in inspection: what to photograph and why it matters

Your move-in documentation is the single most important thing you can do to protect your deposit. Without it, any dispute at move-out becomes your word against the landlord's. Here is a practical, room-by-room guide.

Why it matters

In most European countries, the landlord must prove that damage occurred during your tenancy in order to make deductions. But if there is no move-in record, the landlord's version of the apartment's original condition becomes the default. Thorough documentation shifts the burden of proof back where it belongs.

Room-by-room checklist

• Entrance and hallway: Front door (inside and outside), locks, doorbell, flooring, light switches and fixtures, walls, any built-in storage.
• Kitchen: All appliances (oven, stove, fridge, dishwasher — open doors, check inside), countertops, sink and faucet, cabinets (open each one), walls, flooring, any marks or stains.
• Living room: All walls (photograph each one), flooring (especially corners and under windows), windows (check frames, handles, locks), blinds or curtains, ceiling (look for water stains or cracks), radiators.
• Bedroom(s): Same as living room, plus closets/wardrobes (inside), doors (check for scratches at the bottom).
• Bathroom: Tiles (check for cracks or mould), shower/tub (look at seals and grout), toilet, sink, mirror, faucets, drains (run water briefly), ventilation.
• Balcony/outdoor areas: Railings, floor surface, drainage, any furniture or fixtures included.
• Utility areas: Meter readings (electricity, water, gas — photograph the numbers), boiler or water heater, washing machine connections, storage rooms or basement spaces.

What makes a photo useful in a dispute

Not all photos are equal. For a photo to serve as evidence, it should include a clear timestamp (date and time embedded in the image), a GPS/location tag proving it was taken at the apartment, enough context to identify which room and which surface is shown, and good lighting so the condition is clearly visible.

Regular smartphone photos do not always include reliable timestamps or location data. Dedicated inspection tools embed this metadata automatically.

If you are relocating, adapt this checklist to your local legal context with our Denmark expat rental guide and Germany expat rental guide.

Common mistakes

The most common mistakes are only photographing visible damage (you should photograph everything — including things in good condition), taking blurry or dark photos, not photographing inside closets, cabinets, and appliances, and waiting days after move-in to take photos (do it on the day you get the keys).