Take dated photos and a walkthrough video of every room twice: before you unpack on the day you get the keys, and after the final clean on the day you leave. Keep the original files, back them up the same day and send a copy to your landlord. They are your record of the condition if any part of your deposit is claimed.
Why they matter
In Florida, a landlord who wants to keep part of your deposit must send written notice within 30 days of you moving out, giving the reason for each claim. You then have 15 days to object in writing. Photos from move in and move out show what was already there and what you left, which is what a cleaning or damage dispute turns on. See wear and tear or damage and our Florida deposit guide.
Before you start
- Finish cleaning first. Photos of a half cleaned room do not help you
- Shoot in daylight with every light on and the blinds open
- Check your phone sets the date and time automatically
- Clear space on your phone. A full walkthrough can take a few hundred photos
A shot list by room
Kitchen
- Inside the oven, the racks and the drawer under it
- Inside the fridge and freezer, doors open
- Inside every cabinet and drawer
- Stovetop, range hood and filter
- Sink, counters and dishwasher
Bathrooms
- Toilet, including the base
- Tub or shower, grout and caulk
- Inside the vanity and medicine cabinet
- Mirror, fixtures and exhaust fan
- The floor and behind the door
Bedrooms and living areas
- Each wall, from the corners
- Floors, with close ups of carpet
- Inside closets
- Blinds, windows, sills and tracks
- Ceiling fans, lights and AC vents
Outside and extras
- Patio or balcony and sliding door tracks
- Storm shutters or panels and where they are kept, if the home has them
- The AC filter, if your lease makes it your job
- Every key, fob and remote laid out together
- Any damage, close up with something for scale
How to shoot it
- Start a video at the front door. Say the date and the address, then walk slowly through every room
- Open every cabinet, drawer, closet and appliance on camera
- In each room, take a wide photo from the doorway, then close ups
- Photograph any damage close up and from further back, so it is clear where it is
- Do not edit, crop or filter the files
Keep the dates and back them up
- Keep the originals. A screenshot or an edited copy carries a new date
- Upload them to a cloud account the same day, in a folder named with the address and the date
- Email yourself a link to the folder, so there is a second dated record
- Keep everything until your deposit is returned or any dispute is settled
Sending them to your landlord
At move in, send the photos with your signed inspection form, or a list of anything wrong, as soon as you can and within any time your lease gives. At move out, email a link to the folder with your forwarding address, and keep the sent email. A shared link keeps the files at full quality, which a messaging app may not.
Photos work best of a home that is properly clean. Book a move in clean for the day you get the keys, or send a request for a move out clean and a local cleaner will call you to quote.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and your lease may add terms. For advice on your situation, speak to a Florida attorney or the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.