The Most Common Photography Mistake Tenants Make
Most tenants photograph a few rooms and assume they are covered. They take wide shots of the living room and bedroom, maybe the kitchen bench, and consider the inspection done. Then at move-out, the landlord claims bond for the oven, the grout, the window tracks, and the inside of cupboards - none of which were photographed at move-in.
A thorough move-in photo inspection takes 10 to 15 minutes. The protection it provides lasts for the entire tenancy. Here is exactly what to photograph.
BondProof guides you through every room automatically. Every photo is timestamped and geolocated at capture. At the end, you receive a structured PDF with all photos organised by room. Nothing gets missed.
The Photography Method: Wide First, Then Close
For every area, use this two-shot method:
- Wide shot: Stand in the doorway or a corner. Photograph the whole room. This establishes the general condition and context.
- Close-ups: Move to each wall, each fixture, each area of interest. Photograph from close enough that the condition is clearly visible.
If you see any mark, stain, scratch or damage, photograph it with something nearby for scale - a hand, a coin, a key. Make sure the item is in sharp focus. A blurry photo of damage is almost useless as evidence.
What to Photograph Room by Room
Entry and Hallways
Photograph the front door exterior and interior, the door lock, any marks on the door frame, the hallway walls from multiple angles, flooring, and light fittings. Check behind the front door for marks from the handle.
Living Room
Each wall - all four. The floor or carpet from multiple angles to capture any stains or wear. Windows including the glass, frames, and tracks. Blinds or curtains. Power points and light switches. Skirting boards. Any built-in storage or entertainment unit. The ceiling if there are any marks or water stains.
Kitchen - The Highest Risk Area
The kitchen generates more bond claims than any other room. Photograph:
- The inside of the oven - every surface, the trays, the door glass, the seals
- The cooktop - every burner or element, the surrounding surface
- The rangehood underside - the filter, the grease trap, any discolouration
- Inside every cupboard and drawer
- The dishwasher interior, filter, and door seal
- The sink, taps, and draining area
- The splashback - tiles, grouting, any marks
- Benchtops - any chips, burns, or stains
- The floor including grout lines
- The space behind and under the fridge position
Bedrooms
Each bedroom: all four walls, floor or carpet, windows and tracks, blinds or curtains, the inside of the wardrobe including shelves, rails, and doors, light fittings, and behind the door.
Bathroom - The Second Highest Risk Area
The bathroom is where grout and mould claims originate. Photograph:
- Tile grout in the shower and around the bath - up close
- The shower screen - any marks, calcium build-up, or damage to the seal
- Sealant around the base of the shower and bath - any gaps or mould
- The toilet - bowl, seat, cistern, and the floor around the base
- Basin, taps, and cabinet
- The exhaust fan
- Floor tiles and grout
- Towel rails and accessories
Windows Throughout the Property
Window tracks are a surprisingly common claim. Photograph every window's track - the groove the window slides in - as it collects dirt quickly and landlords sometimes claim cleaning costs. Also photograph any flyscreens for existing damage.
Outdoor Areas
Balcony or courtyard surface condition. Garden state if you are responsible for it. Garage floor and walls. Any outdoor storage areas. Clothesline. External taps.
After You Have Finished: Check Your Photos
Scroll through every photo before leaving the property. Check that:
- Every room is covered with at least one wide shot
- Every piece of pre-existing damage is clearly visible in at least one photo
- All photos are in focus
- Timestamps are visible or embedded
- You have covered the kitchen and bathroom in detail
Storing Your Photos Safely
If you use BondProof, your photos are stored securely and your PDF report is generated automatically. Email it to yourself and save it to cloud storage. If you photograph independently, back up every photo to cloud storage immediately - do not rely solely on your phone.
Label the folder clearly with the property address and move-in date. Keep it accessible for the entire duration of your tenancy and until at least 6 months after you vacate.