What to Photograph at Move-In: A Room-by-Room Evidence List
Photos are the strongest proof of your home's starting condition. Exactly what to photograph at move-in, and how to keep every shot dated and organized.
- Jurisdiction
- North Carolina — Official NC General Statutes (N.C.G.S. Chapter 42)
- Last Reviewed
- September 2026
- Reading Time
- 3 min
What to know
In North Carolina, move-in documentation is governed by N.C.G.S. §§ 42-50 to 42-56 (Security Deposit Act), and the deadlines that statute sets are what protect your money and your record. Circuit Facts™ is a free logging tool that keeps your lease dates, charges, and repairs together in one dated Housing Record.
What This Guide Covers
This guide covers: Why photos matter under the deposit rules · The room-by-room shot list · Log up to five photos per area · Download the dated report.
What the Rule Says
Why do move-in photos matter under the deposit rules?
North Carolina lets your landlord take deductions from your security deposit and requires an itemized accounting. (N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-53.)
A dispute about 'damage' is really a dispute about the home's condition at move-in. Dated photos settle it with facts, not memory.
Practical Guidance
What photos should you take in each room at move-in?
Kitchen: appliances inside and out, counters, sink and under-sink, floor. Bathroom: tub or shower, toilet, sink, tiles, floor. Bedroom: walls, floors, closets, windows. Living areas: floors, walls, blinds or curtains, doors.
Everywhere: meters, thermostat, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and anything already worn, stained, cracked, or broken.
Photograph from the doorway first, then close-ups of anything worth noting. A wide shot plus detail is stronger than either alone.
How many photos should you log for each area?
Add your photos in the Move-In Logger — up to five per area — with the date each was taken and a short note in your own words. 'Stain on carpet, bedroom 1' beats 'carpet was bad'.
How do you download a dated move-in photo report?
Any time you want, download a free Move-In Condition Report PDF: your areas, notes, photo thumbnails, and the dates you entered.
Official Sources
Official NC General Statutes (N.C.G.S. Chapter 42)
Official NC General Statutes (N.C.G.S. Chapter 42)
Migrated from the article citation list
Last checked: September 2026N.C.G.S. §§ 42-50 to 42-56 (Security Deposit Act)
N.C.G.S. §§ 42-50 to 42-56 (Security Deposit Act)
Migrated from the article citation list
Last checked: September 2026N.C.G.S. § 42-53 (itemized deductions)
N.C.G.S. § 42-53 (itemized deductions)
Migrated from the article citation list
Last checked: September 2026