What photos should a New York tenant take at move-out?
Every room, every wall (all 4), floors (corner-to-corner), ceilings, every appliance interior and exterior, all fixtures, all closets and storage, the bathroom from multiple angles, the kitchen including under sinks, light fixtures, windows and screens, doors and locks, outdoor areas if applicable. Date-stamp every photo (most phones do this automatically). Include a closing shot showing the empty unit broom-clean. New York small claims courts give significant weight to dated photos in deposit disputes. Email the photos to yourself for cloud-stored timestamps. Without photos, the tenant's word against the landlord's typically loses.
Source: GOL 7-108(1-a)(e)
This is an informational answer based on GOL 7-108(1-a)(e) as of early 2026. It is not legal advice. Housing law changes year to year and local ordinances (especially in rent-controlled or rent-stabilized cities) can override or add to state law. For contested cases, consult a New York-licensed attorney.