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The One Thing You NEED to Do Before You Unpack (Or Say Goodbye to Your Security Deposit)

The One Thing You NEED to Do Before You Unpack (Or Say Goodbye to Your Security Deposit)

Seb TakahashiBy Seb Takahashi
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Quick Tip

Document every inch of your apartment with photos and video before unpacking anything, then email it to your landlord within 24 hours.

Listen up, because this is the difference between getting your full security deposit back and Venmo-ing your landlord a goodbye gift you did NOT consent to.

The one thing you need to do before you unpack a single fork is this: document everything like you’re building a legal case.

I’m gonna be so for real with you—Future You does not remember what the baseboards looked like on Day 1. Future You just knows your landlord is suddenly claiming you “caused damage.” (They love that phrase. It’s their favorite hobby.)
slightly messy apartment with moving boxes, person taking photos of walls and floors with phone, natural light, realistic lived-in scene
slightly messy apartment with moving boxes, person taking photos of walls and floors with phone, natural light, realistic lived-in scene

This Is Not Optional (Yes, Even If the Place Looks “Fine”)

You walk in, it smells like someone aggressively cleaned with lemon bleach, and you think, “Oh this is fine.”

No. It’s not fine. It’s a Landlord Special waiting to happen.

That tiny scuff on the wall? That chipped paint behind the door? That weird scratch on the fridge that looks like a raccoon got mad at it? Those are now your problem unless you prove they were there before you moved in.

Your camera roll is your defense attorney.
close-up of chipped paint on wall, scuffed baseboard, worn apartment details, realistic imperfections
close-up of chipped paint on wall, scuffed baseboard, worn apartment details, realistic imperfections

What You Actually Need to Photograph (Don’t Skip This)

Do not just take one cute panoramic shot and call it a day. I will personally haunt you.

You need:
  • Every wall (yes, even the boring ones)
  • Baseboards (my personal obsession, trust me)
  • Inside appliances (oven, fridge, dishwasher—OPEN THEM)
  • Floors (especially corners and high-traffic areas)
  • Windows + blinds
  • Ceilings (water stains = future drama)
  • Under sinks (hello mystery leaks)
  • Closets (including that weird shelf no one uses)

(Yes, you will feel insane. That’s correct. Stay with me.)
person opening oven and taking photo, documenting inside appliances, realistic kitchen scene
person opening oven and taking photo, documenting inside appliances, realistic kitchen scene

The “Walkthrough Like a Detective” Method

Here’s how you actually do this without missing something important:
  1. Start at the front door and move clockwise through the entire apartment.
  2. Take wide shots first (context matters).
  3. Then zoom into damage like you’re submitting evidence to a courtroom.
  4. Say things out loud while filming (yes, narrate like a documentary): “Scratch on fridge, top right corner.”

Video is your secret weapon here. Photos are great, but a slow walkthrough video where you narrate everything? That’s gold.

Because when your landlord says, “That wasn’t there,” you can literally hit play.
person filming apartment walkthrough with phone, pointing at wall damage, casual realistic environment
person filming apartment walkthrough with phone, pointing at wall damage, casual realistic environment

Where People Mess This Up (Don’t Be That Person)

Real talk, most people do one of these three things:
  • They forget to check inside appliances (mold surprise, anyone?)
  • They don’t zoom in on damage (wide shots won’t save you)
  • They never send the photos to the landlord

That last one? Fatal.

You need a paper trail. Not vibes. Not “we talked about it.” Paper trail.
⚠️Email your landlord the photos within 24 hours of moving in. Attach everything. Be annoying about it.

Subject line idea: “Move-In Condition Documentation – [Your Address]”

Congratulations, you are now legally annoying (which is exactly what we want).
laptop sending email with photo attachments, cozy apartment setting, realistic desk clutter
laptop sending email with photo attachments, cozy apartment setting, realistic desk clutter

The Emergency Binder Move (Yes, I’m Serious)

If you’ve been here a while, you know I don’t trust “I’ll just keep it in my phone.”

Back it up:
  • Cloud storage
  • Email to yourself
  • Optional: a chaotic folder called “DO NOT TOUCH – LEGAL STUFF”

Future You is tired, moving out, and one bad email away from losing $1,200. Don’t make them dig through 14,000 photos of your cat to find “baseboard_3_final_FINAL.jpg.”
organized digital folders on laptop screen labeled apartment photos, cozy home environment
organized digital folders on laptop screen labeled apartment photos, cozy home environment

Why This Actually Matters (Money, Not Just Vibes)

Let’s talk numbers for a second.

Security deposits are not small. They’re usually one month’s rent. Sometimes more.

And landlords will absolutely try to deduct for:
  • “Cleaning fees”
  • “Wall damage”
  • “Appliance wear”

(Translation: things that were already there.)

When you have documentation, the conversation changes from:

“I don’t think I did that…”

to:

“Here is a timestamped photo from move-in day.”

See the difference? One is vibes. One is evidence.
person confidently reviewing photos on phone, calm organized apartment setting
person confidently reviewing photos on phone, calm organized apartment setting

The Bonus Move Nobody Talks About

This is advanced-level older sibling advice:

Photograph things that seem “too small to matter.”
  • Tiny nail holes
  • Slight discoloration
  • Loose cabinet handles

Because those are EXACTLY the things that magically become “damage” when it’s time to return your deposit.

(I have seen landlords charge for a loose screw. A screw. I wish I were joking.)
close-up of small nail holes in wall and loose cabinet handle, realistic apartment wear
close-up of small nail holes in wall and loose cabinet handle, realistic apartment wear

If You Already Moved In and Didn’t Do This

Okay. Breathe. We’re not spiraling.

Do it now.

It’s not ideal, but late documentation is better than none. Focus on anything questionable and send it ASAP with a “just noting current condition” email.

Will it be as strong as Day 1 proof? No. But it’s still better than nothing.

(And next time, we do this BEFORE you unpack your emotional support air fryer.)
person taking quick photos in partially unpacked apartment, boxes around, realistic moving chaos
person taking quick photos in partially unpacked apartment, boxes around, realistic moving chaos

The One Sentence You Need to Remember

If you forget everything else, remember this:

If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.

That’s the rule landlords operate by. Now it’s your rule too.

You don’t need a perfect apartment. You need proof of the imperfect one you moved into.

Future You—standing in that empty apartment, waiting for your deposit back—is already thanking you.

Now go take the photos. Then go drink some water. You’ve got this.