TaskSleekA room-by-room move-in photo checklist
A collection of photographs is easier to use when each image has a purpose. At move-in, aim for a clear record of the actual home rather than hundreds of unlabeled close-ups. Work room by room, note what you observe and leave enough context for a landlord or tenant to understand the detail without having stood beside you.
Take an overview before the close-up
Start at the entrance and follow a consistent route. Photograph each room as a whole, then record the details that need attention: marked walls, flooring, damaged fittings or anything not clean. An overview shows where the issue sits, while a close-up shows the condition.
Use normal lighting and avoid moving personal belongings into view before documenting the room. Where a detail is difficult to see, take another angle rather than changing the image to exaggerate the issue. A practical record should be understandable and faithful to what you observed.
Write notes someone else can locate
Describe the item and its position. A note such as 'chip on the lower corner of the kitchen cabinet beside the sink' is more useful than 'kitchen damaged'. If you do not know what caused a mark, describe the mark without assigning blame.
TaskSleek keeps photos and notes with room-based move-in and move-out records. Keep the original information even when a repair later resolves the problem, and use the repair log to show what happened afterward.
Capture readings and existing issues
Record accessible meter readings with a written value and a photo of the display. Identify the meter so it is not confused with a shared building supply. Ask the landlord or utility provider if you are unsure which reading is relevant.
Keep related documents with the home and share only necessary information. Avoid including unrelated personal details or other people in photographs. Follow the reporting deadline in your tenancy agreement rather than assuming that saving photos in an app changes it.
Make move-out easier to compare
At move-out, repeat the same room order and similar viewpoints. Add notes on repairs and updated readings. A consistent sequence makes the comparison easier to review and helps distinguish changes from differences in framing.
TaskSleek supports report PDFs and comparison exports for tenant-created homes. Landlord confirmation provides a shared record, not a guaranteed legal outcome or qualified electronic signature. Keep original documents and seek local advice if a disagreement needs more than a practical record.
See how this works in our TaskSleek guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I record rooms with no visible damage?
An overview of each room can provide useful context, even when you have no issue to note. Capture closer details where something needs explanation.
Can the landlord review a tenant-created report?
Yes. The tenant can invite the landlord through a free private link to view photos and files, confirm reports, chat and update repair status.