Quick checklist
- One wide shot per room (two if it's large).
- One wide shot of floors and walls where possible.
- Close-ups of any existing damage.
- Any supplied appliances, plus serial plates if easy.
- Meter readings.
At a glance
Great move-in photos are about consistency and context, not sheer quantity.
TL;DR for busy property managers
- Start each room with a wide shot before any detail images.
- Capture evidence in consistent angles and lighting where possible.
- Add issue close-ups only after establishing room context.
How many photos is enough?
As a rough rule: 5 to 15 per room is plenty, unless there's lots of damage. If you feel like you're repeating yourself, you probably are.
The shots that save arguments
- Wide shot showing the whole wall, then the mark.
- Wide shot showing the full carpet area, then the stain.
- Photo with a door or window in frame for context.
Lighting tips
- Turn on the lights.
- Stand back to avoid motion blur.
- If something looks wrong, take one extra photo from further away.
Common mistakes
- Taking only close-ups with no context.
- Mixing photos between rooms without labels.
- Photographing every tiny thing but missing the main surfaces.
Using TenancyKit
- Add photos within each room so they're grouped properly.
- Use the export to generate a proof pack you can share.
FAQ
How many room photos do I need at move-in?
Usually 5–15 per room is enough, provided you include both context and key detail photos.
Should I take meter and appliance photos too?
Yes. They strengthen your move-in record and reduce avoidable disputes later.
Run this process faster in TenancyKit
Capture room-by-room photos, notes and meter readings, then export a clean evidence pack your agency can send with confidence.
Tip: use this guide as your branch SOP, then mirror the same room-by-room structure in your exports.
Related guides for letting agencies
Check-in inventory: what to capture (UK)
Room-by-room checklist for stronger move-in evidence.
Read guide →
Interim inspection checklist
Focused mid-term checks without turning visits into full re-inventories.
Read guide →
Check-out proof pack: what to include
What to capture and how to structure evidence for handover/disputes.
Read guide →
Deposit dispute evidence (UK): the basics
What makes evidence stronger and what commonly weakens a claim.
Read guide →
Meter readings: what to record
Capture clear meter evidence at move-in and check-out.
Read guide →