What photos should a North Carolina 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. North Carolina 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: NCGS 42-52
This is an informational answer based on NCGS 42-52 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 North Carolina-licensed attorney.