A couple of days ago I met my new tenant at one of our rental houses here in Melbourne Florida. She was bringing me the balance of the move in money. It was time to have her to sign the lease and I was giving her the keys to her new house.
While she was reviewing the lease, I walked through the house, and took pictures inside and outside, being careful to include all the rooms.
We swapped money for keys, she signed her new lease and as I was leaving she was already moving items in. I think they will be happy there. The house is just minutes from her job.
I am always happy to be able to help a nice family find a comfortable home to live in. For me, I hope it will be another long term tenant/landlord relationship.
When I got back to my home office, I copied all of the photos to a CD, labeled and dated the disk.
I haven't always taken move in and move out pictures.
However, several years back I decided it would be a wise idea to keep them on file.
I have never had a need had to use them.
And, I hope that I never do, however now I always have them, if there is ever a tenant dispute over a security deposit, or a question on the move in or move out condition of a property.
I have heard of landlords that have had nightmare situations because they couldn't prove the condition of their rental house upon move in, or move out, either.
REMEMBER; A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! ENOUGH SAID!
As a landlord or property manager, do you take move in and move out pictures of your rentals?
that for you
That is a great system to follow.
Now and then I list a property for Lease on the instructions of a client and have taken photos then burned them on to a CD. In one instance, it was very useful when doing the exit walk thru for a tenant.
Sandy,
You should take (as we like to call) "Before & After" photos of your rentals. Before they moved in...and After they move out...I was so pleasantly surprised when our one tenant moved out of our rental...he left it nice and clean (Both the before and after photos were similar)...and then I drove over to our other rental property...and it was a total disaster! I mean...the walls were filthy...the kitchen left in a mess...I was so upset...needless to say they did NOT get their deposit back! The before and after photos are going to be a huge help in getting paid for the repairs to the damage they did to the walls, the cabinet doors, the carpets, the tiles, and the outside walls as well...
Great Idea Sandy, I have always taken the pictures but not put them on CDs. Have a great day...
Hi Sandy, that sounds like a great plan. Hopefully you'll never need them, but at least it's peace of mind in the event you do. Thanks for sharing ~
So many people on nonchalant about this. Better be safe than sorry.
You'll probably need those pictures on a rental one of these days.
This is the ideal rule to follow. However I do not always do it, but I should.
Sandy, as always, excellent advice for the landlord. I am surprised that more people don't follow this simple process. Especially with digital cameras so easy to use.
Hi Michael, I like to have my pictures. I know of landlords that have run into terrible situations without them. It turns into a he said, she said. Take care!
Hi Rebecca, It is very seldom that the before and after pictures are similar. And I too, have had that tenant that left the house in a mess. It's a numbers game, and the more rentals you do, the more risk involved. We have to take the good with the bad. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you in getting that place cleaned up and re rented!
Hi Paul, I like to put the pictures on a CD, delete them off the camera, and throw the disk in the house file. I know exactly where to find it,everytime. Hope you are having a great week!
Hi Darla, How are you today? Glad to hear from you again. Luckily I have never had a tenant dispute over a security deposit - (knock on wood). I too, hope that I never have to use them. But, I always like to protect myself. Talk to you soon!
Hi Kathy, Many landlords are nonchalant about this. And many pay a big price for it. It can come back to bite you in the behind, if you aren't careful. Have a nice day!
Dave, I hope that I don't ever have to use these pictures, but with multiple rentals I know I will need to. That's why I started doing it years ago. One day, I will be happy that I have them. You're so right!
Uh oh, Carol, You really should do it. Sometimes, we wait till after something bad happens, and then it's too late. Then, we never make that mistake again and from then on we always do it correctly. Silly how human behavior works, sometimes. Creatures of habit, I suppose.
Hi Fred, How are you today? Thank you for always being here on my blog. I love that! Thanks for the great compliment on the post! You are right, it is such a simple thing to take pictures. You know, my camera goes everywhere I go. I love taking pictures, so it makes taking pictures of tenant move in and move out so simple! How's the weather there? It was down in the 40's last night here in Florida. Cold for us here. It must be really cold where you are!
Hi Sandy,
Not really cold. Kind of a "Indian Summer" in some respects. We get those sometimes in October. The temperature has been in the 60-70s during the day and down in the 40s at night. No frost yet, but soon. It has also been quite clear except for morning fog. Today is overcast, so we may get rain for Halloween. Oh well, more candy for me. Have a wonderful week.
Sandy,
Excellent idea. I know this will come in handy...
Thank you for sharing,
Ann
Hi Ann, Let me know when you decide to start buying investment properties. Remember, I told you that I would help you in anyway that I can. I hope that things are going a bit smoother for you now. I'll be in touch!
I have never taken before and after pictures but it sounds like a good idea. I've gotten into a few disputes with tenants over their security deposits but I've never had to go to court over it.
Hi Justin, It seems that there is always something today that we must do to cover our behind. I've never had a dispute over a security deposit yet, nor had to go to court. However, I know the day will come. And I know other landlords that have had to. And a couple of them lost because they couldn't prove their case. Thanks and take care!
Sandy, that is a great idea to burn them to a CD. It is also a good idea that the tenant knows that you are taking the photos while you are there.
Hi Rich, It has made it much easier for me to find them by burning them to a CD and throwing them in the file for the house. You know, if wasn't until recently that I started taking the pictures while the tenant was there with me. I used to take them before they came. But, I figured, what the heck, they may as well know that I've got them on file...why not? Thanks Rich! Is it cold there? It was in the 40's last night here in Florida!
Sandy,
I would like to maybe buy a large apartment house. Still looking into how to finance it.
Ann
The photos are a great idea. I take the before move in photos while the tenant is there and explain it is for their protection when they move out so the tenant does not get blamed for pre-existing damage. They appreciate that and also realize we have them and take better care of the property so they can get their deposit back when they move out.
Great Advice and something that everyone should do now that digital cameras are so cheap and easy to use.
Best to you and yours.
Hi Sandy,
Now that's a great idea! We use a multi-page checklist in Hawaii to denote move-in and move-out condition. The photos would be a great backup.
Aloha,
Richard
We always recommend move in and move out photos. It is the safest thing.
As the old saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words. Taking before and after pictures is a great way to document condition.
Sandy.. You take this to just a higher level than I do. I do move in/move out reports. Which is more of a check list to make sure the property is ok. If there is a property we make note of it and have both parties sign off on it.
You are very wise to be doing that. As a renter, it makes sense to carefully photograph the home when you leave.
It is always a good idea to to 'move in'/'move out' condition reports. (including pictures)
Sandy the photos are a good idea however, may not hold up in a court of law because the tenant could say you could have taken them when the last tenants left.
In addition to the photos you should have your tenants complete a Move in/ move out form
I can send you my form if you like this form has input for the condition of everything in every room, number of keys & most important who owns the refrig, stove etc.
The tenant signs & dates this form.
There is also a statement on the form that reads this is the condition of the property .... This statement is required by Massachusetts law.
Best of luck with your tenant.
Hi Sandy, as a previous property manager it was our policy to do a walk through before AND after WITH the tenant. And we always had photographic (or video) evidence if the unit had damages, etc that were being deducted from their deposit.
And - as a renter (yes, I have always been a renter) I like to take pictures when I move in - and the day I move out to protect myself - to prove that I left the place clean and damage free!
As a former landlady...we had pictures and beyond that....we had a sheet with each room and details of the room ....walls, flooring, etc, and a condition blank and initial at the bottom of each room...the tenant signed each one...it was then recorded visually and signed until they moved out. It was a wonderful tool if needed in small claims court.
Sandy,
In Texas our Board has promulgated forms that we can have a description for each room in the house.
We also do the photos as well as require a Tenant to submit to us (within 10 days of move in) an inventory and condition form that they fill out and sign/date. This way we have all bases covered.
If I don't have an inventory form submitted by the Tenant then they have no ground to stand on as far as condtion.
Good post!
Sandy: I always take detailed before and after photos. I print out two copies, one for me and one for the tenent, and make the tenent sign both copies. I have never had a condition question since I started doing this. Good question!
Great Idea and I love what Michelle added about printing them and having the tenant sign them. That's also a fantastic idea.
Good Job: today it is all about document, document document.... so much simplier if you have records to prove it.
Agree...the pictures can hold up. But the signed document that everything is correct and in place is so much more valuable....in a perfect world we would do both.
Sandy ~ Yes, yes and yes. Although this last time I didn't because my brother moved into town and I am renting to him. You can't find better cosigners that your parents ;)
Great suggestion Sandy. I'm going to pass this to a friend of mine who is a property manager, I know she doesnt already do this.
I always take move in and move out pictures. A couple of years ago my management company was hired to take over management of a property in order to evict the current tenant who hadn't paid rent in months. Of course the house was trashed to the tune of $25,000. The owner of the investment property stated that the home was in pristine condition prior to the tenant moving in and of course the previous manager had no documentation whatsoever of the homes condition. The point being...take pictures and document, document, document. The courts may rule in your favor for the eviction but good luck recovering any money from damages without any proof.
I posted this twice since I had forgotten to log in before commenting.
Not only photos, but a pre move in inspection of the property. Tenants sign off that each item in the home is working properly, such as plumbing, heat, A/C, and electric. If something isn't working properly it is noted and the tenant is not responsible. It only takes a few minutes and saves a lot of problems.
Steve, You are absolutely correct. The pictures are for the tenant's protection as well as your own. It does prove the condition of the property prior to move in. And they show pre existing damage on a home. I hope that psychology they really do take better care of the property because they know we have the pictures. Thanks Steve!
Timothy, Something so easy and cost effective, you almost can't afford NOT to do it.
Hi Richard, I have a move in move checklist I use also, but I really like having the pictures. Then there is no question at all should a problem arise. I am envious that you are there in Hawaii. I hear that it is an absolutely beautiful place to live! I'd love to visit someday. Aloha to you too!
Hi Bob and Carolin, How are you both today? I agree that the pictures are the safest thing today. You can't be too careful!
I agree to do pictures, unitl recently I didn't, however I did do a very thorough walkthrough with the tenant and had a move in/ move out checklist.
Hi Laura, I have seen landlords wind up in court over a dispute and the ones that had pictures didn't have to say much. The ones without them were absolutely scrambling. It was their word against the tenant's word. A picture is absolutelly worth a thousand words.
Valerie, I haven't always taken move in move out pictures. But, several years ago I saw a couple of landlords get into a mess with some difficult tenants and they had a fit trying to recoop any of their money, because they had no way to prove their case. we all hope that we will never be in that situation and I think with 95% of tenants, we won't.
Diane, You brought up an excellent point! Renters should be taking pictures ALSO - not just the landlord. GREAT POINT! You are SO RIGHT! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent idea. I'm new at this so I really like the tips!
Hi Gene, As much documentation as possible is always prudent! Keep up the GREAT JOB you're doing!
Hi Karen, Another GREAT POINT! You are absolutely right! I make sure that my move in and move out pictures are dated. I haven't always done that either. But everything that is burned to CD has a date on it. I would love it if you send me your tenant move in move out form. I can compare it to what we use and maybe implement them together. That would be great! You can email it to sandyshoresmelbourne@hotmail.com. Thanks ton, I sooo appreciate it!
Kara, A move in and move out walk through with the tenant is an excellent idea! Thanks for pointing that out! And I love the fact that as a renter you document everything on the way in and on the way out! So smart of you! Keep up the great job!
I haven't done this before with photos, but it is probably a good idea. It seems like lately that the tenants are 2 extremes. Either they move out and leave the place spic and span and get all or nearly all their deposit back. The other tenant abandons the property and leaves it a wreck and loses all their deposit.
Sally and David, Well, as a landlady, it sounds like you completely covered every aspect of the move in, move out process. You are a SMART landlady. No amount of documentation is TOO much! Thanks for sharing and congrats to you for being so on the ball!
Hi Sheila, I have heard about the 10 day condition reports. I give them a move in checklist that is blank and I tell them to move in, get situated, and fill out any areas of concern they have with the house in the first couple of weeks. And then I tell them to call me with it. If I don't hear back, I assume there are no problems, although I do follow up upon picking up their next month's rent. Thanks for the feedback!
WOW Michelle - What an EXCELLENT IDEA! Having the tenant sign the photos! I love that idea! Then there wouldn't be any question at all, would there? I bet you don't have any disputes AT ALL doing it that way! GREAT JOB!
I love being here on ACTIVE RAIN, because there are so many excellent ideas that come in from all over the country. It is such a GREAT WAY of giving us better and more constructive ways of conducting our business!
Hi Tammy, I love Michelle's idea also! You're right it is a fantastic idea!
Mary, You are so right - it is about documenting everything we do - too bad it has to come to this. And the majority of the time we are fortunate in that we don't have to use the documentation!
Hi Casey, For me the pictures are invaluable! I agree that we should cover our bases with pictures and signed documentation!
Ryan, I understand why you didn't do this with your brother moving in. However, you are much braver than I am...I don't care to rent to family or close long term friends. Much too close for comfort for me, and if something were to happen I don't want to be put in a bad situation with someone that I love.
Hey Miss Nancy, How are you today? Great that you are able to pass this info to someone you know that can use it. Thanks for sharing it. And I hope things are going well.
HI SANDY!
I've never taken pictures before and it makes so much sense, don't know why I haven't. But, I can tell you that I will from now on. We just had a tenant move out of one of our properties and I just know the doorbell was working and in good condition when they moved in. Of course they said they didn't know what happened/it was always like that.
So, absolutely a good idea to take pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Sandy, I don't but that is a great idea! pippa
Steven, I hate hearing the story about your management company inheriting an evcition with no documentation. It's impossible to prove anything without anything in the file. My broker has been in the business for 50 years and he deals primarily with investors and his own investment properties. We get a call at least once a month from an owner or fellow realtor that wants him to handle their eviction for him. 99% of the time there is no move in documentation! It puts the owner of the home in a terrible situation.
Hi Sandy
As a property manager I highly recommend using video. Shoot your video with your tenant present, right before they move in. Then shoot another with them present on move out. This to me provides one extra level of protection, because you not only have the property condition recorded but the tenants as well. With todays electronic devices available, whether it is a smart phone, IPOD, or IPAQ, you can have the videos on your hip, and show the client the move in video evidence if needed, and show then viewing it on the move out video while you are stating any new damages, or missing items. Of course you will have to get them to comply with the video recording, but they really shouldn't have any reason to decline. Of course there is always the ones who will.
Sandy, I always take photos of my rentals before and after. It doesn't leave anything up to the imagination. Will serve the landlord in court so I highly recommend it.
Hi Ray, Good idea - move in checklist to say everything is working properly. However I find that sometimes it takes a couple of days or weeks for a problem to arise. A couple of situations I've had arise over the years...on tenants moving into houses that had been vacant for at least a month.... the toilets started backing up the second day the tenant was in the house, even though we flushed them both before move in. On another house, all the sinks and tubs started backing up a week after they moved in...and used the washer for the first time (didn't have a problem before this). Another, the window fell out and to the ground 2 weeks after move in (we tried them all on move in). So, I check everything myself and then give them a form and tell them to let me know what problems they have in the first couple of weeks there. I have never lived in the house, so sometimes problems don't arise until you start living in the home and using everything. Thanks for the feedback!
Tatyana, I think you will find that photos are beneficial. Hopefully you will never need to use them - I haven't yet, but I know I will someday!
Hi Doug, Welcome and best of luck to you! Just make sure that you always plan for the worst case scenario, so that you are protected. That way you'll be fine!
Hi Rob, Isn't it funny? You just never know what you're going to get in a tenant. I have found a very, very high percentage are very good, hard working people. There are some bad apples out there too, though. And it's a numbers game...the more you rent to...the more chance you have of getting a difficult one. I've had excellent tenants and I had one 3 months ago that left in the middle of the night (previously blogged about it) and left every single thing they owned in the house! The place was a mess! However, that tenant paid me rent every single month for over 4 years! So go figure! Take care and hang in there!
Hi Yvette, Good luck on starting to take pictures in the future. I've heard the same thing in the past, I don't know what happened to it. Document, document, document and pictures. Best wishes to you!
Hi Pippa, I think that alot of people that have never been put in a bad situation don't do it. I have found that the owners and property managers that have needed them, but didn't have them, now take them. Rather be safe than sorry!
Hi Terry, Thanks for the info. I have heard of people that use video and like it very much. Sounds like ANOTHER GREAT IDEA. I would think that would give a landlord/property manager the highest level of protection possible. EXCELLENT!
Hi Gena, I agree, photos are great. And Terry Stithem says that video is recommended. I think they are both great ideas. Thanks and take care of yourself!
We take photographs, burn them onto a disk and give them to tenants or landlords we represent.
Absolutely!! This is a no brainer!!
Ruthman Real Estate, I like to transfer them to disk and throw them in the house file. Makes it easy to pass along to tenants and landlords, that way. Keep up the good work!
Betina, A no brainer to you, but I think that's it's important to get the word out to those that may not have thought about doing it or just aren't doing it right now.
Sandy, I agree with you. I just had a tenant move out and they said it was clean (to THEIR standards) and the new tenant moved in and said it was a mess. I had the new ones take pictures of their concerns and it really helped with explaining to the other tenants why they didn't get all of their security deposit back.
Thanks,
Greg Adelman
Midwest Home Center LLC.
715-483-0012
612-735-4414 cell
612-395-5444 fax
www.midwesthomecenter.com
Hi Greg, Pictures are always worth their weight in gold. Tenants perceptions are different. I don't think it's about the house being clean to the tenants standards. Tenants need to know that we expect the property to come back to us the way in which we gave it to them, the day of move in. And the pictures should justify exactly what that condition is. Thanks for sharing!
Great idea to take pictures. Date stamp them, print and have tenants initial for extra protection
Hi Jean, Karen Ann Martin pointed out that we must be sure that pictures have dates on them. I agree. I like the idea of having the tenant initial or sign them also. GREAT IDEAS - thanks for the feedback!
That is a very good policy. I ends the discussion about whether there were holes in the wall when they moved in.
Better yet - I've started doing videos. A picture is worth a thousand words and a video - even more! It's a great use for the flip video.
Hi Randy, This would definitely end the discussion as to whether there were holes in the walls when they moved in. Gosh, I hope that you don't get many properties back in that condition - OUCH!
Tracy, How are you today? Terry Stithem also mentioned that videos are best. I may very well have to shift to videos. I like the idea! That may be the first item on my Christmas list this year. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to comment!
This is definetly a good idea, I know some of us will have to use this at some point. There are a lot of people that dont really care about the home, they dont own it someone else does. I would suggest the video and have somewhere in the lease that the tennant agrees that the pictures are current. This way you have everything covered.
Great post, we have been using pictures for a while but love the idea of burning cd's for each unit, will come in handy
If the tenant sees you taking these pictures ahead of time, they may think twice about taking care of the home too. A lot of tenants just assume they'll get their deposit back and have no concern about what they, their kids, or their pets may do to a property.
Hi Jason, We have heard here several times that the combination of video and a move in move out checklist seem to be the ideal scenario in documenting the house. Yes, either the video must be date stamped or the pictures we take must be date stamped - some have advised that pictures be taken and dated and signed on the back by the tenant. I would hesitate to incorporate a statement in the lease itself that the pictures are current, because the question could come up, what pictures? perhaps there are more than one set...that argument could go on and on...don't leave any room for question, at all!
Hi James. If I burn the pictures to CD, then I can delete them from my camera, throw the CD in the house file and am not sorting through camera disks a year later, trying to find them. Take care!
I do now. My last tenants that moved out took the carpet and the cabinets with them when they moved.
Hi Karen, I have never had a tenant question me about taking move in pictures. I tell them exactly what I'm doing, and some tell me they'll do the same thing. I tell them it is for their protection and mine, and this way there is not a question on move out as to what condition the home actually was in! I know some landlords that have never, ever, ever given a security deposit back to a tenant, no matter what. I hate that and think it gives landlords a bad name. If we get the house back in the condition we gave it to the tenant and there is no damage or no rent owed, minus normal wear and tear, then they are due their deposit back.
Sandy ~ My family is super cool, so there are no worries about things going bad. Everything is insured that could go wrong. With that said, there are a lot of families that I know wouldn't work.
Robert, OH NO YOUR COMMENT ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR LAST TENANT TOOK THE CARPET AND THE CABINETS - THAT'S HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 12 years I've never had anything like that happen! OH NO! I suppose you have to take the good with the bad - boy, that's bad! I feel awful for you! Hang in there, I hope you know those people are the minority - so few of them, compared to the number of good ones! Take care! Ugh!
Hi Ryan, I am so glad to hear that your family is super cool, so you have no concerns about renting to your brother. Best wishes to you and count your blessings for having a wonderful family! Take care of yourself!
Sandy ~ Thank you very much and I do. Most families that I know are pretty dysfunction and I appreciate my family everyday for being so wonderful.
I take photos for all rentals especially the before and after-not all the time. For furnished rentals & seasonal rentals I take of the room and details of furniture and items. I also have an apartment building 6 units, which in the past 3 yrs I had to deal with 2 evictions and l when they left, it was a mess. The judge awarded us damages in the 1st case, she was trying to deny things and the 2nd one he did not appear. Definitely I recommend before and after photos and also an inspection sheet for move-in & move-outs. As a tenant when I rented I also took before and after photos, just in case.
Ryan, You are correct in that there are many dysfuntional families out there - sometimes you just don't want to mix business and money with family and long term friends. I have seen it destroy relationshios. So glad to hear that you appreciate your family everyday for being so wonderful! How truly blessed that you are! You are one lucky man!
Hi Eva, How are things down there in Boca? I lived in Deerfield Beach from 1968 to 1975, then we moved up here to Melbourne. It sounds like you certainly make sure that all bases are covered. So very smart of you! I don't deal in furnished units, and don't think I would care to. That must get really hairy sometimes. Kudos to you! I haven't yet been to court with a tenant, but know someday I will. I know many others that have and it wasn't very pretty. Keep up the great job!
Sandy, timely post as we just moved into the property management arena this year. We do try to get "before and after" photos and send them to the owner.
Hi Matt, So glad the timing is perfect for you! Alot of companies have shifted to property management, in response to the change in our markets. Best of luck to you and take care. Thanks for the feedback!
We, generally, try to take pics when it is vacant. Those are the "move in" pics. Plus those pictures are posted on our website. Each of our vacant properties has it's own page where interior shots are posted. It seems to help when applicants have seen "inside" the properties. I have rented many properties without them every sitting foot inside the property. Many are from out of town and do not have the luxury of coming to town for a "House Hunting Trip." I have had to use my pics...It has avoided what could have been a "silly" legal battle. The pics can kind of take the wind out of their sail if they are disputing the condition of the property. I hav been putting them in a file on my computer so that I can load them at any time to the website as vacancies occur. I can foresee having a cd file some day. Thanks for the great reminder to TAKE THOSE PICTURES.
Kim, Cozy Home Rental Topeka Ks cozyhomerental.com
Hi Sandy, I have received lots of inquires for seasonal but most people want 2 monthand not the 4 months minimum stay, its been slow for full seasonal inquires but I may have a pending for my listing in Century Village Boca. Well, yes I have had to see a judge about evictions, hope not to do it again. Evidence is key, be nice to the judge and hope for the best. Trying to collect is a different story.
Not only do we do that but we have the tenants write in their own words an account of the property and e-mail it to us, that way they can take their time and we go back and forth to have great detail so at the end we have at least two pages to show them what they thought and they have any concerns we take care o fat the start of the lease.
Hi Kim, I would imagine it would be a great benefit to post the inside pictures on your website to help rent the properties...just like homes for sale. Pictures are great for avoiding "silly legal" battles. I agree the that it does take the wind out of the difficult tenant's sails when they find out that you have pictures. Sounds like you are on top of it, doing a GREAT job! Keep up the thorough work!
Eva, I especially don't care to do seasonal rentals at all. I wouldn't care for the turnover rate on them. Most of my tenants have been with me for over 4 years, and I like it that way. As a landlord, I don't go to court for the money owed me (if any) because it can drag out an eviction for 2-4 months, then they owe me that much more money, and the only thing the judge can provide me with is a judgement. My theory is, if they can't pay me the rent to keep their roof over their head then how or why are they going to pay a judgement after they are long gone? I seldom see judgements to other landlords paid. I can have them out, the house clean and rerented in the time it takes me to mess with all that.
Sandy,
You are one smart lady. I have not done rental management but may in the future. I think any evidence you can document of before and after condition will only benefit you should you come to a disagreement with the current tenant or vacating tenant over their cleaning deposit.
Hi Charles, I hadn't heard of doing that before -interesting. Thanks for the feedback!
Another great use for photos is for a record of your own personal property for insurance purposes. Grab you digicamera and go wild, throw the pics on a CD and store said CD off site and hope you never need it. I do this about twice a year.
Hi sherry, Thanks for the compliment. I think you live and you learn. And I have made my own fair share of mistakes and I have seen many landlords make theirs two. ALthough I have never had to use pictures, I know I will one day. I try not to make the same mistake twice or try not to make some of the same mistakes I have seen other landlords make.
Hi Ron, GREAT POINT! I agree with you. I have all of my personal items inventoried and photos of all of them. Here in Florida you can't be careful enough because you don't know when a tropical storm or hurricane is coming. So we're always ready. Thanks for sharing!
Sandy,
Taking these pictures will help sort out any type of dispute should it arise. It actually ought to be part of the lease file if you ask me. Yet I understand it isn't done all that often.
Yes, absolutely - we take photos, conduct an inspection and have a tenant sign-off acknowledging the condition.
Esko, Agreed. Pictures are great and for me they do become a part of the lease file and should for everyone fro the protection of the landlord and the tenant. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Ryan, It sounds like you cover all bases. Perfect - someday it will definitely pay off for you should you need it. Keep up the great job!
I do for client rentals, but for some reason don't tend to on my own. I should really change that though. Its not hard to do and could easily prevent problems down the road. Thanks
Oh Glen, You're brave. I know that sometimee we tend to our customers better than we tend to ourselves. Definitely not a good thing. Just take the extra time to do your own too. Take care1