How to document your apartment before you move out

What to capture, and how

• Photograph every room and every surface on the day you leave, with dates visible in the file names or metadata.
• Open cupboards, appliances and wardrobes so the condition inside is on record.
• Photograph the meters and record the final readings.
• Note any pre-existing damage in writing, and keep the move-in inspection report if you have one.

The paper trail that matters

• The move-out date and the key handover, in writing where possible.
• Your forwarding address, given in writing if your state requires it.
• A copy of the lease and proof the deposit was paid.
• Every message exchanged with the landlord around move-out.

Why date-stamped evidence wins

A photo whose date can be established is worth far more than an undated one, because it ties the condition to the move-out moment. Where a landlord later claims damage, the comparison between move-out and move-in is what decides whether the deduction stands — and in several states, a missing or late itemized statement limits what may be kept at all.

Common questions

Should I do a walk-through with the landlord?

A joint walk-through is useful if it produces a written, signed record of the condition. If the landlord will not do one, your own dated documentation becomes more important, not less.

Do photos on my phone count as evidence?

Yes — what matters is that the date and the location of the unit can be established. Back them up somewhere outside the phone, so they survive a lost or replaced device.

Is this legal advice?

No. This page is general information with sources, not advice for your situation.