Airbnb Verify-in: 6 Essential Photos to Take

You've just arrived at your Airbnb. Before unpacking your bags, take a couple of minutes to document the property's condition. A few well-chosen photos can make a real difference if a dispute arises later.

Why take photos?

A scratch on the furniture, a stained sofa, a broken appliance or a damaged bathroom fixture may already be present when you arrive.

Without photographs, it can become difficult to establish whether the damage existed before your stay. Taking photos immediately provides a useful record of the property's condition.

The 6 essential photos

1. Living room: take a wide-angle photo showing the furniture and general condition.
2. Kitchen: photograph the worktops, appliances and surrounding area.
3. Bedroom: capture the bed, furniture and visible condition of the room.
4. Bathroom: document the shower, bathtub, sink and fixtures.
5. Important equipment: photograph anything particularly valuable or potentially problematic.
6. Existing damage: take a clear picture of any defect you notice, including its surroundings.

Whenever possible, combine an overview with a close-up. A detailed photo is much more useful when its location can be identified.

What if you notice a problem?

Photograph the issue as soon as you discover it. Then contact your host through Airbnb's messaging system, describing the problem clearly and factually.

Keeping the conversation on the platform can help preserve a record of what was reported and when.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until the following day to take photos.
• Photographing only the damage without showing its surroundings.
• Editing or retouching the original images.
• Keeping important photos mixed with hundreds of unrelated pictures.
• Failing to report a problem promptly.

How to preserve your photographic evidence

Taking photos is only the first step. You should also keep them organised and easy to retrieve.

KeepYourProof allows you to group up to 10 photographs in a single evidence file. Each image is analysed to estimate the probability that it was generated or modified using artificial intelligence.

The service also records a cryptographic fingerprint, deposit information and sealing details. These elements help document the images you submitted.

Photographs do not automatically establish legal responsibility, but they can provide useful supporting evidence in a disagreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take photos even if everything looks perfect?

Yes. A few overview photos can help document the condition of the property when you arrived.

When should I contact my host?

As soon as you discover a problem, ideally through Airbnb's messaging system.

Should I edit the photos?

No. Keep the original images unchanged whenever possible.

How many photos can I include in one KeepYourProof file?

Up to 10 photographs.