jade3•1mo ago

A tenant in Tacoma taught me to never skip the walkthrough photos

Two summers ago I had a small painting gig, just a two bedroom unit near the waterfront. The tenant was moving out and seemed nice enough. I did the job, got paid, and thought that was that. Three weeks later the property manager called me saying the tenant claimed I dripped paint on their hardwood floors and wanted $600 knocked off their deposit. I had no photos, no signed checklist, nothing. My word against theirs. The manager ended up splitting the difference and I ate $300. Now I take time stamped photos of every room before I even open a can of paint, including the floors and corners. It takes five minutes and has saved me twice since. Has anyone else had a similar claim come back on them after a job was done clean?