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[Landlord - US] Landlords: How do you actually prove pre-existing damage when tenants fight you in court? (I just lost $1,200 last week)

Hey landlords,

I just got screwed HARD.

Tenant moved out, claimed he didn’t scratch the hardwood floors — said they were already damaged. Sent pics of "proof" taken after moving out (convenient, right?).

My buddy had a paper move-in checklist... but the judge tossed it because:

  • No timestamps on photos
  • Tenant claimed "he just drew those scratches on the paper!"
  • Zero GPS proof it was even taken in the unit

Now I'm stuck eating $1,200 in damages (that’s 3 months of HOA fees, folks).

My question:
How do you actually protect yourself?

  • Do you still use paper? (And how do you stop tenants from forging it?)
  • Do apps like AppFolio/Landlord Studio work? (My buddy says they’re $100+/mo just for this one thing)
  • Or do you have a stupid-simple hack? (Like taking pics with a newspaper dated that day?)
submitted by /u/inogotnoi
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1mu9r3i/landlord_us_landlords_how_do_you_actually_prove/
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