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Taking photos to satisfy any potential legal issues?

  • 08-01-2012 7:20pm
    #1
    Krieg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭


    Just wondering whats the best way to take pictures that would satisfy any potential legal issues in future.

    Im planning moving into an apartment soon and ive heard of people having issues getting their deposit back from a certain agency who claim that the property required cleaning and/or was damaged.

    If I do move into an apartment id like to take pictures from day 1 and also the day I leave, to confirm that there is no damage and its as clean since day 1. But im wondering whats the best way to take the first pictures that can confirm the date taken, Do I hold up a newspaper to confirm the date?, bring a friend to act as witness?


Comments

  • #2
    daenerysstormborn3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,197 ✭✭✭daenerysstormborn3


    Involve the landlord. Ask him/her to come over, say you are going to take photos so as to avoid any hassle at the end of the lease. In fairness if he/she cares about the property he/she will probably be just as happy to do this with you.


  • #3
    odds_on
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭odds_on


    A good landlord will make a detailed entry inventory (often with photos and more recently with a video camera) which you sign as confirming the details on the inventory. This is often part of the lease, an addition as a "Schedule".

    If this is not the case, yes, it is a good idea to do it yourself and yes, use a newspaper in each photo as a date stamp.

    However, if the landlord does not make an entry inventory and unless everything was brand new, then at the end of a tenancy, he has no record of the condition of the property at the beginning of the tenancy. Thus he would lose any claim against a tenant for damages beyond normal wear and tear.


  • #4
    BrianD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,221 ✭✭✭BrianD


    Digital photos have metadata in them which includes the date that the camera has in it's setting. Make sure that's set correctly! For added effect you can set it so it puts the date stamp on the image.

    Take the photos and then them to the agency as well via e-mail. That will also record the date sent.

    It is a double edged sword though!


  • #5
    ResearchWill
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭ResearchWill


    Photos are used in court all the time, the evidence of the person taking the photos as to the date and time is usually enough. Some judges don't like digital photos.

    A disposable camera, is an option and get them developed on the day, keep the negatives and prints in a sealed envelope, might be an idea to get second set of prints and send by registered post to landlord or letting agent, with cover letter and proof of postage. Same with photos at the end of lease. Inform letting agent and or landlord that you will bo doing so and invite them to be there when you move in and take the photos. Again do the same when you are moving out, the fact that you are going to that trouble will usually head off any issue.


  • #6
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    ResearchWill wrote: »
    Some judges don't like digital photos.

    The sharpness of them, the lack of grain???

    Why would the likes of a judge matter? Surely either a photograph recorded digitally is either admissible or they're not?


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  • #7
    ResearchWill
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭ResearchWill


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    The sharpness of them, the lack of grain???

    Why would the likes of a judge matter? Surely either a photograph recorded digitally is either admissible or they're not?

    A negative can not be easly tampered with, a digital photo can easily be changed a big hole in a wall airbrushed out.

    The reason a judge would matter is the OP asked "Just wondering whats the best way to take pictures that would satisfy any potential legal issues in future." any legal issue could involve court, hence a judge. The OP wanted a secure way to protect himself against any possible legal claim.


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