> after that I got wiser, and took pictures of everything before actually moving in. Better yet, with the landlord or representative as witness. I manage a pro

> after that I got wiser, and took pictures of everything before actually moving in. Better yet, with the landlord or representative as witness. I manage a property in a college town. Most of my tenants are first time renters just moving out of the dorms, so they've never learned these hard lessons before. I try to help them out by telling them about how they can get screwed on deposits, and tell them to take pictures of any damage they find and print it out so I can sign it. I just hope they take that lesson with them after they leave my place. Also I remind them that they have a right to a walk through at the end of the lease and never charge an item on a deposit that I haven't discussed with them first. I always give them a chance to fix it first. Usually they just say "bill me" (probably because it's their parents money) but sometimes they will fix it or they will help me fix it. It's a lot more work on my part, but on the flip side I'll have tenants messaging me a decade later thanking me for being honest and kind. So I guess it's all worth it.