Move-Out Photo Evidence Report: Build a Timestamped Visual Record
A folder of random phone photos is not evidence. A structured, timestamped photo evidence report — with room labels, damage notes, and a clean PDF — is something a landlord, deposit scheme, or adjudicator can actually use. This guide shows you how to build one properly on move-out day.
Start your free report ↓Why photo evidence fails when it matters most
Most tenants take photos when they leave. The problem is how they do it. A camera roll with 80 blurry photos of miscellaneous rooms — no labels, no order, no notes — is almost impossible to use in a dispute. By the time you need it, you cannot remember which photo shows which room, or when each one was taken.
A structured photo evidence report solves this. Each photo is linked to a specific room, each room has condition notes, and the whole thing is packaged into a PDF with your name, address, and date.
The move-out photo checklist
Follow this order for every room. Take all photos in good lighting — open curtains and turn on lights.
For every room
- Wide shot from the doorway — captures the full room
- Each wall individually — include corners
- Floor from one end to the other
- Ceiling — especially if there are stains or cracks
- Light fittings and switches
- Windows from inside — open and closed state
- Close-up of any marks, damage, or wear — include a coin for scale
Kitchen specifics
- Oven interior — open door, show clean state
- Hob from above — all rings visible
- Fridge and freezer — open doors showing interior
- Cupboard interiors — a few representative shots
- Sink close-up — drain and taps
- Countertops along full length
Bathroom specifics
- Toilet — seat up and down, close-up of any marks
- Bath or shower — show tray, tiles, and silicone seal
- Sink — basin, taps, and plug
- Extractor fan cover
- Any grout discolouration or mould — with note
Final walk-through shots
- Meter readings — gas, electricity, water
- All keys being returned, laid flat
- Front door of property with address visible
- Your phone screen showing today's date (or the date visible in photos' metadata)
Timestamp tip: Enable location data in your camera settings before you start. GPS metadata in photos is harder to dispute than a date that could be set manually.
How to organise your photos into a report
After taking photos, go through them and assign each one to a room. Label any damage photos with a brief description. Then use this tool to create a written report for each room, referencing the photos. The PDF becomes your complete evidence package.
How to send your evidence to your landlord
Email the PDF report on the day you hand back the keys — or the same day you do your final walkthrough. If your photos are large, use a file-sharing link rather than attaching them directly.
Subject line suggestion: "[Your address] — Move-Out Condition Report + Photos — [Date]"
Frequently asked questions
Enough to cover every room from multiple angles. For a 1-bedroom apartment, 40 to 60 photos is reasonable. More is better than less — storage is cheap, deposit disputes are expensive.
Your phone is fine. Modern smartphones produce high-resolution photos with embedded timestamps and GPS. Avoid using filters or editing apps — unedited photos are more credible as evidence.
The timestamp and metadata are hard to dispute. If your photos are timestamped to move-out day and show a clean, undamaged property, the burden shifts to the landlord to prove the damage happened during your tenancy.
Yes, and it is even better if you can show the move-in and move-out photos side by side for the same area. This clearly shows the damage was pre-existing and unchanged throughout your tenancy.