Rental Walkthrough Photo Kit

Overview

Rental Walkthrough Photo Kit helps a user document a rental unit during move-in, move-out, or a condition check. It produces a room-by-room photo shot list, an issue log, file-labeling plan, and a concise message draft for the landlord or property manager.

This skill focuses on careful documentation and neutral communication. It does not make legal claims, determine liability, interpret lease law, or promise deposit outcomes. The user should keep original photos and videos, save timestamps, and consult local tenant resources or a qualified professional for legal questions.

When to Use

Use this skill when the user says things like:

• "I am moving in and need to document the apartment."
• "I need photos before moving out."
• "Help me make a rental walkthrough checklist."
• "I found damage in my new rental."
• "I need to message my landlord about condition issues."

Required Inputs

Ask for the minimum practical context:

• Move-in, move-out, renewal inspection, or mid-lease issue
• Deadline for sending documentation
• Unit type and rooms
• Whether the user has a move-in or move-out form
• Known problem areas
• Preferred contact: landlord, property manager, leasing office, roommate, or maintenance portal

If time is short, start with the core photo sequence immediately and fill details later.

Workflow

Step 1 - Capture Rooms Systematically

Create a photo route that avoids missed areas:

1. Front door and entry
2. Living room
3. Kitchen
4. Dining area if separate
5. Bedrooms
6. Bathrooms
7. Hallways and closets
8. Laundry area
9. Balcony, patio, garage, storage, or exterior access
10. Appliances, fixtures, utilities, and meters if relevant

For each room, capture:

• Wide shot from each corner
• Ceiling, walls, floors, windows, and doors
• Fixtures, switches, outlets, vents, smoke detectors, and blinds
• Built-ins, cabinets, shelves, and closets
• Serial plates or model labels for included appliances when useful
• Close-up and context shot for each issue

Step 2 - Note Damage and Condition Issues

Build an issue log with neutral observations:

• Room or area
• Item or surface
• Condition observed
• Photo or video file label
• Approximate size or location
• Date and time captured
• Urgency if it affects safety, habitability, or function
• Requested next step, such as acknowledge, repair, inspect, or add to move-in record

Use factual wording: "scratch on left bedroom wall near outlet" instead of "landlord caused damage" or "this is illegal."

Step 3 - Label Photos

Recommend a simple naming system:

• Date
• Unit or address shorthand
• Room
• Sequence number
• Issue keyword if relevant

Example labels in plain text:

• 2026-05-10_unit12_kitchen_01_wide
• 2026-05-10_unit12_kitchen_02_sink-chip
• 2026-05-10_unit12_bedroom1_03_window-screen-tear

Tell the user not to edit original images. If they make annotated copies, keep originals separately.

Step 4 - Summarize Issues

Group issues by room and priority:

• Safety or urgent function issues
• Repair requests
• Cosmetic condition record
• Questions or access needs

Keep the summary short enough to send and detailed enough to match the photo labels.

Step 5 - Draft the Landlord Message

Create a neutral message with:

• Move-in or move-out context
• Date of walkthrough
• Link or attachment note if the user will send photos
• Brief issue summary
• Request for acknowledgment, repair, inspection, or record update
• Polite deadline if needed

Avoid threats, legal conclusions, or accusations. If the issue is urgent, recommend calling the proper emergency maintenance or utility channel in addition to written documentation.

Output Template

Rental Walkthrough Photo Kit

Context:
- Walkthrough type:
- Unit:
- Date and time:
- Deadline:
- Recipient:

Photo shot list:
- Entry:
- Living room:
- Kitchen:
- Bedroom(s):
- Bathroom(s):
- Hallways and closets:
- Appliances and fixtures:
- Exterior or storage areas:

Issue log:
- Room or area:
- Item or surface:
- Condition observed:
- Photo label:
- Size or location:
- Urgency:
- Requested next step:

Photo label plan:
- Naming pattern:
- Originals storage location:
- Annotated copies, if any:

Issue summary:
- Urgent or functional:
- Repair requests:
- Cosmetic record:
- Questions:

Landlord message draft:
Hello [Name],

I completed a [move-in/move-out] walkthrough for [unit] on [date]. I am sharing the attached or linked photos and the condition notes below so the record is clear.

Summary:
- [Issue 1 with room and photo label]
- [Issue 2 with room and photo label]
- [Issue 3 with room and photo label]

Please confirm receipt and let me know the next step for any items that need repair, inspection, or record update. Thank you.

[Your name]

Safety Boundaries

• Do not give legal advice, interpret lease law, or decide deposit liability.
• Do not make accusations or claim who caused damage unless the user has formal documentation and still wants neutral wording.
• Do not recommend altering photo metadata, deleting originals, or editing evidence in a way that could confuse the record.
• Recommend keeping original files, timestamps, emails, inspection forms, and delivery receipts.
• If the issue involves active water leak, electrical hazard, gas smell, fire risk, broken exterior lock, or another immediate safety concern, advise contacting emergency maintenance, utilities, or emergency services as appropriate before routine messaging.
• For disputes, eviction threats, unsafe housing, or deposit conflict, suggest local tenant resources, official housing agencies, or qualified legal help.

Example Prompts

Copy and paste one of these into your AI assistant with your details filled in:

1. Move-in with existing damage: "I just got keys to my new apartment and during the walkthrough I noticed scratches on the hardwood floor in the living room, a cracked tile in the bathroom, and a broken window blind in the bedroom. My lease says I have 3 days to document pre-existing damage. Build me a photo shot list and a neutral message to send the property manager."

2. Move-out documentation: "I'm moving out of my rental this Saturday and want solid photo proof that the place is clean and undamaged. It's a 2-bedroom apartment. I already patched nail holes and deep cleaned. Create a systematic walkthrough route with photo labels so nothing gets missed, and draft a polite message to the landlord with the documentation."

3. Mid-lease condition check: "I've been in my rental for 6 months and just noticed a water stain spreading on the ceiling near the bathroom. I want to document it properly before reporting it. Also the oven door seal is coming loose. Build an issue log with photo labels and a message to maintenance that's clear but not accusatory."