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Protect Your Security Deposit: Document Your Rental's Move-In Condition
Deposit disputes are one of the most common landlord-tenant conflicts anywhere in the world, and they almost always come down to the same question: was that scuff, stain, or crack already there when you moved in? A dated set of photos from day one is the simplest way to settle that question in your favor.
Why this is worth 20 minutes
Move-out inspections happen months or years after move-in, and landlords (and tenants) genuinely forget the exact starting condition of a unit. Without independent evidence, it becomes your memory against theirs — and the person holding the deposit usually has the upper hand in that argument. A record from move-in day removes the guesswork.
What to record
- Every room, wide shots and close-ups — floors, walls, ceilings, and especially existing damage (scuffs, stains, cracks, worn fixtures).
- Appliances and fixtures — turn them on if you can, and note anything already not working.
- Utility meter readings, if you're responsible for utilities from day one.
- Your move-in checklist or condition report, if your landlord provides one — photograph it filled out and signed.
- Any existing keys, fobs, or remotes you were given, and their condition.
Things to watch out for
- Do it on move-in day, before you unpack. Once furniture and boxes are in, it's harder to prove a mark on the wall predates your occupancy.
- Keep the originals. Don't crop or filter the photos you're keeping as evidence — save the raw files as they came off your phone.
- Do it again at move-out, for the same reason, so you have a clear before/after comparison if a dispute comes up.
Why a timestamp helps
A photo's metadata can technically be edited, so "I took this on move-in day" is still just your word unless something independent backs it up. Proof Stamp anchors the hash of each photo — a fingerprint of its exact content — into the Bitcoin blockchain, giving you an independently verifiable record of when that exact file existed, checkable by anyone without having to trust us.
- Upload your move-in photos right after you take them.
- The hash is computed automatically and the Bitcoin timestamp process begins.
- Once confirmed, download the originals, the proof data, and a verification report anytime — including months later, at move-out.
Know your local tenant protections. Deposit rules — how much can be withheld, what counts as normal wear and tear, how long a landlord has to itemize deductions — vary a lot by country and even by state or city. It's worth a quick look at your local tenant rights resources before you move in.