5 essential move-in photography angles for court evidence
90% of tenant photos fail in small claims court because they are too close, poorly lit, or missing baseline room context. Follow these 5 mandatory angles for every room.
1. Wide-Angle Corner Baseline Shot
Stand in the doorway or far corner of the room to capture the entire room in one wide shot (walls, ceiling, flooring, and lighting). This proves overall room context so micro close-ups can be legally matched to the specific room.
2. High-Traffic Flooring & Thresholds
Photograph entryways, hallway thresholds, and carpet areas under direct lighting. Matting, stains, or hardwood scratches captured on Day 1 establish pre-existing wear baseline.
3. Appliance Interiors & Fixtures
Open the oven door, microwave, and refrigerator to photograph interiors. Landlords frequently attempt to charge cleaning fees for existing oven grease or fridge shelf scuffs.
4. Window Frames, Glass & Blinds
Photograph window glass, latch locks, and vinyl blinds. Plastic blinds degrade quickly from UV sunlight; capturing existing yellowing or bent slats prevents wrongful replacement deductions.
5. Plumbing Fixtures & Under-Sink Cabinets
Open vanity and kitchen sink cabinets to photograph floor surfaces underneath. Capturing old water stains or dry pipe caulking proves previous leaks were not caused during your tenancy.