The most common reason Perth tenants lose bond money they shouldn't is a lack of documentation. Property managers will say damage occurred during your tenancy; without photos, you have no way to prove otherwise. Here's how to photograph your rental properly — at move-in and at move-out.
Move-In Photography — What to Capture
Do this before moving any furniture in. Every photo should have a date stamp visible — most modern phones embed the date in file metadata, but also check your camera settings for on-image date display.
- Every room from multiple angles — wide shot, then close-up of any marks or damage
- Every wall — specifically scuffs, marks, holes, and paint condition
- Every window — condition of glass, frame, sill, and track
- Every blind and curtain — condition of slats, vanes, cords, and hems
- Oven interior — the pre-existing state of the cavity and racks
- Rangehood — filters and housing condition
- All bathroom tiles and grout — existing mould or discolouration
- Carpets — any stains, worn areas, or damage
- Garage floor — existing oil stains or concrete damage
- Outdoor areas — garden, lawn, and any existing damage
Move-Out Photography — What to Capture
After the bond clean is complete and before handing back keys. This set of photos is your evidence that the property was left in excellent condition.
- Every room after cleaning — wide shots showing clean condition
- Oven cavity — before and after comparison is ideal
- Shower screen — show the clean glass clearly
- All bathrooms — tile, grout, toilet, and vanity
- Garage floor — show the swept, clean state
- Outdoor areas — mowed lawn, clean alfresco
How to Store Your Photos
Don't rely solely on your phone. After photographing, immediately back up to cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, or similar). These services automatically tag photos with date and time. Store the move-in and move-out sets in separate folders labelled clearly. Keep them for at least 12 months after your bond is refunded.
What Happens Without Photos
Without documentation, a dispute becomes your word against the property manager's. Courts and tribunals have to assess the balance of probabilities — and a property manager with an outgoing condition report noting an issue has a significant evidential advantage over a tenant with no documentation. Don't put yourself in that position.
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