Clear photos can help prove the condition of your rented home. If you are dealing with damp, mould, leaks, broken windows, faulty heating, or unsafe repairs, your photos should show the problem clearly.
Good photos can support your housing disrepair claim and help show how long the issue has been affecting your home.
1. Take wide, medium, and close-up photos
For each problem, take three photos:
Wide photo: shows the whole room.
Medium photo: shows the affected wall, ceiling, floor, window, pipe, or area.
Close-up photo: shows the damage clearly.
For example, if there is mould in your bedroom, take one photo of the whole room, one of the affected wall, and one close-up of the mould. If the issue is damp or mould, you can also read more about damp and mould claims.
2. Show the size of the damage
Use something simple to show scale, such as:
- A ruler
- Tape measure
- Coin
- Sheet of paper
Place it next to the damage, not over it. This helps show the real size of cracks, damp patches, mould, leaks, or broken areas.
3. Take photos with dates
Your photos should show when the problem happened. Most phones save the date automatically, but you should also organise your files clearly.
Example file names:
bedroom-mould-22-may-2026.jpgkitchen-leak-22-may-2026.jpgbathroom-ceiling-damp-29-may-2026.jpg
This helps create a clear timeline.
4. Take repeat photos
Do not take photos only once. Take more photos if the problem gets worse or if the landlord delays repairs.
Take photos:
- When you first notice the issue
- After reporting it
- If it gets worse
- Before repair work
- After repair work
- If the problem comes back
Repeat photos can show that the disrepair was ongoing.
5. Photograph the cause if visible
Do not only photograph the damage. Also photograph anything that may be causing it, such as:
- Leaking pipes
- Broken windows
- Damaged seals
- Damp walls
- Cracked plaster
- Broken extractor fans
- Wet flooring
- Water stains
If the issue involves windows or doors, the site has a separate guide on windows and doors disrepair claims.
Only take photos where it is safe. Do not touch exposed wires, gas appliances, or unsafe structures.
6. Keep the original photos
Do not edit, filter, or crop your photos too much. Keep the original files on your phone, and back them up if possible.
You can also save copies in a folder named:
Housing Disrepair Evidence
Keep everything in one place so it is easy to share later.
7. Take short videos if needed
Videos are useful for problems that move or make noise, such as:
- Active leaks
- Dripping water
- Faulty doors
- Flickering lights
- Broken fans
- Boiler issues
- Pest activity
Keep videos short and steady. Say the date, room, and problem at the start.
Final Checklist
Before sending your evidence, make sure you have:
- A photo of the full room
- A clear photo of the damaged area
- A close-up photo
- A photo showing the size
- Dates saved with the photos
- Repeat photos over time
- Photos before and after repairs
- Original files saved safely
If you are unsure whether your evidence is enough, you can use the housing disrepair compensation calculator or contact the Housing Disrepair Team for help.
Final Word
Good housing disrepair photos should be clear, dated, and organised. Show the room, show the damage, show the size, and keep the originals. This gives you stronger evidence if you need to report the issue, make a complaint, or start a housing disrepair claim.