What can I do before moving out, to prove that I left the place clean and not beyond normal wear and tear?

Question

I've asked my landlord to complete a move out inspection with me, after I've moved everything out of the unit. Yet he insists he will do the inspection ALONE and notify me later regarding repairs ect.

Are pictures enough? Who could I get to walk thru with me, that is neutral? A friend or relative may not make good witnesses if it gets to that point. I have good reasons for wanting to cover my tracks, but I won't go into that here.

P.S. How can I prove the current date on pictures were taken after I moved out, just in case it is implied I took the pictures earlier, and just developed them later.

Is there any place to rent a video camera?

Answer 1

Request in writing to be part of the walk through. Take numerous photos whether or not the lanlord is there, and let him/her know that photos are being taken of the state of the apartment upon your leaving it.

Answer 2

I've been through the same thing and I can tell you, having them do it alone is not a good thing, especially if you feel like they are not trustworthy. I had a landlord charge me $75 to "fix" a door that had absolutely nothing wrong with it and to top it off a NEW door is only about $30.

Anyway, take a video, include something to show a later date than when you moved in such as a newspaper, etc. Have a neighbor sign a letter stating they observed the property and that the video you've taken was done on such and such a date. Finding an uninterested 3rd party may be hard .. what stranger will do a walk through, but I'm sure you can find one.

On your state's web site, look for renters/landlord obligations and laws regarding moving out. It may paint a more thorough picture of whether you MAY be present for the final inspection or not.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

Best to have photographs (rooms and specific item zoom-ins) and an inventory of the items you took over when you first moved in and update it against what is there when you left.

If you had an agent helping you with the original rental, it would help if this third party could be there during your confirmation and subsequently, with the landlord's inspection.

If you are worried about the landlord's integrity, it is best that you look into the terms of your lease, items listed and get all of these checked and condition verified with an independent agent.

You could try asking the landlord if he has an agent, and you could try dealing with his agent instead - the agent is on the landlord's side but is more likely to be professional and reasonable during the handover - especially if you take the photo shots with him in the background.

You really need to see the lease terms to check your liabilities and exposure. Good luck.

Answer 4

Go to your state government website or Google information in your state about renters and tenant laws. If the law requires you to be there, or excludes processes where you are not there, you may have a legal right to due process relative to your transition out of the place. There would be nothing to stop your landlord from creating a problem (or saying there was one) just to be able to charge you for it. There must be some remedy for this in your state laws.

Definitely take pictures.

Answer 5

Pictures will help, have a friend go through and see if they think you should do anything more. The best thing to do (to late now unfortunately) is to take pictures when you move in, give a dated copy to your landlord, and keep dated copies for yourself. I, myself am waiting to get a deposit back from my old landlord and I am thinking he will be ridiculous.

Also, they usually don't let you walk through with them, but sometimes they will give you a list of things they will charge for.

Just make sure you clean EVERYTHING (stove, fridge, blinds, tub, sinks, walls if dirty), replace light bulbs( I had a landlord charge 5 dollars for a missing light bulb), and make sure you get EVERYTHING out.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I would confirm in writing in a letter to the landlord that he has declined a walk-through inspection with you.

That way he'd be hard-pressed later to turnaround and say that you had left damage when he declined to do a walk-through with you and inspect and identify damage with you in attendance.

And I'd take a lot of pictures too.

Answer 7

If your camera has a date notation on it, use it. Get a number to your local tenants union. Sounds like you already foresee a problem getting your security deposit back. Get as much down on paper now. Keep a ledger of all conversations with your landlord with dates and times. Send a 'certified' letter re-requesting his walk through inspection with you.

Answer 8

Take pictures and video tape it and if you want to get one of your neighbors to do it with you and be seen on the video tape that should cover all the bases but it is always good to take pictures and or video before you move in and after you move out

Answer 9

steam clean the floors and wash the windows, clean dust and spider webs, remember that there is bound to be some wear and tear and he will know this, do you rent thru a real estate because they should do the inspection other wise if you still have the place for rent when he inspects it you have the right to stay, also you should tell him the reason you want to be present, its your money dude, ******

Answer 10

definately take lots of pictures, you could also include something like a newspaper with a visible date to establish when the photos were taken. impartial witnesses are also a good idea