Digital Cameras and Damages
Since the past four years I have been a Landlord, I have now purchased a digital camera, and it has worked out wonders in the past year that I have had it within disputes.
Has anybody taken pictures of tenant damages right in front of the tenant before, or emphasized that you record damages before they move in??
The thing is that this is an inherited tenant, so I don't have a Move In Form to go off of.
I am meeting with this tenant later on today and am simply saying "If there are this many damages next year or more, we will not be renewing the lease with you."
What do you guys think???
Joel,
Please read my post under 'Tenant threatening to move out', you will really get the 'picture'.
John $Cash$ Locke
Joel,
I agree with you fully, it's best to develop that landlord/tenant relationship right away.
Yes I have take pictures in front of my tenants on property damage as a record and let me tell you it holds up in court vary well!
As for the move In Form, I use what I call a new owner inspection form, it's the same as the move in form just a different title when I take over a new rental. I simply advise my tenet this helps me to be a better landlord. I have never had them sign off.
[addsig]
I think for the most part it levels the ground on what was damaged before and after they moved in. Right now I am trying to keep a photo log of my individual rental units. For the most part I like it.
My digital camera has also helped in getting pictures for Short Sales and such.
I also used a camera to record the condition of the house before the tenant moved in. This seems to alert the tenant to keep the house in a good condition.
Just something to ponder on... Does photo's taken with a digital camera hold any water in a court, since they are so easy to manipulate? Any fool with MS Paint can edit pictures.
I would like to know since I took my pictures with a digital too.
Rudolf
Digital cameras normally record the date when photos are taken, if you alter the file then the subject file creation date will change.
I have never had my property photos questioned.
[addsig]
I use a camcorder on all of my rentals. On the day we fill out the Inspection Form, I film every room, with the tenant in the room. When they move out, I bring the camcorder and if there are any doubt, we watch the movie together. There have never been any problems.
If I had to go to court, it would be pretty easy to show the film.
I hope this helps!