Reviewed by Aisyah Rahman, SPEEDHOME Tenant Operations (B.Sc. Hons, property management) · Published 18 June 2026 · Last updated 23 June 2026.
What should a tenant record before moving in?
A timestamped move-in video is the strongest defence against unfair deposit deductions because it proves the property's pre-tenancy state — every wall, floor, ceiling, fixture, tap, lock and existing stain captured before you collect the keys.
SPEEDHOME tenants record the condition of every room before they collect the keys — walls, floors, ceilings, lights, appliances, taps, windows, locks, and any existing stains or cracks. Video evidence submitted on day one removes most of the ambiguity at move-out. Without it, any dispute becomes the tenant's word against the landlord's. In SPEEDHOME's managed tenancies, video documentation at move-in and move-out is the step landlords most often skip — and the gap most often responsible for deposit disputes (SPEEDHOME platform records, 2026).
Why submitting a house condition video matters
A condition video protects your deposit, surfaces pre-existing faults, and creates documentary record if a dispute escalates. No dedicated tenancy tribunal exists in Malaysia.
Video evidence with a visible date and time is admissible as documentary evidence. A landlord's WhatsApp read receipt after you send the video further strengthens it — it shows they were informed of the condition on that date. Adjudicators give this type of contemporaneous evidence significant weight.
Most disputes are settled by negotiation; if they are not, the forum depends on the amount in claim — the Small Claims division (≤RM5,000 for individuals) or the Consumer Tribunal (≤RM50,000 where framable as a consumer/service dispute).
Pre-existing issues you do not document become your liability at move-out. A leaky tap you filmed on day one cannot later be charged to you. A stain on the carpet you never recorded can be.
When to submit your condition video
SPEEDHOME tenants submit videos at five scheduled points: move-in (Month 1), Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and move-out (Month 12). You can also submit a video anytime an urgent issue appears.
The schedule exists because landlord-tenant disputes cluster around move-out, when both sides have different recollections of how things looked months earlier. Quarterly submissions create a paper trail that makes move-out conversations much shorter.
| Submission | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in | First days of tenancy | Baseline condition before you occupy the unit |
| Month 3 | After settling in | Catch any wear or faults that appeared early |
| Month 6 | Mid-tenancy | Mid-term check; flag any repairs needed |
| Month 9 | Late tenancy | Update record before move-out period |
| Move-out | Final days of tenancy | Closing condition; the comparison point for deposit review |
| Ad-hoc | Any time | Urgent faults that cannot wait for the next scheduled date |
You have 21 days from each prompt date to upload the video before the app starts sending reminders.
What to capture in each room
Film every room in a single continuous walk-through, narrating what you see. Open every cupboard, test every tap, check every power point, and pan slowly across each wall. Narrating aloud — "scratch on the kitchen cabinet door, left side" — is more useful than silent footage.
Be methodical. Enter each room from the doorway and sweep around it clockwise.
| Area | What to capture | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Taps, sink, cabinets, tiles, appliance condition, gas or induction | Leaks and cabinet damage are the most disputed repair items |
| Bathrooms | Water pressure, tiles, shower head, water heater, toilet flush | Slow drains and leaks are common pre-existing faults |
| Bedrooms and living room | Walls, flooring, air-cond units, windows, ceiling, lights | Separates existing scuffs and paint chips from new damage |
| Doors and locks | Main door, bedroom doors, gate, access card, padlocks | Handover of working locks is part of the landlord's obligation |
| Utilities and meters | TNB meter reading, water meter reading | Baseline readings prevent billing disputes at move-out |
| Outdoor / parking / mailbox | Car park bay, mailbox, any outdoor fixtures | Missing access items become handover disputes later |
For faults you find, film a wide shot of the area first, then a close-up, and a brief demonstration where possible. Example: for a dripping tap, show the sink from across the room, then a close-up of the dripping, then turn the tap on and off to show it does not seal properly.
How to submit your video through the SPEEDHOME app
Open the SPEEDHOME app when you receive the submission prompt, record your walk-through video, and upload it grouped by submission month. The app shows you the deadline and confirms receipt once you upload.
Step by step:
- Wait for the in-app notification, or go to your active tenancy and tap "Submit Condition Video."
- Film your walk-through on your phone. Keep the footage steady — prop your elbow or use a surface to stabilise, and move slowly.
- Group your files by the submission month label shown in the app (for example, "Month 3").
- Upload directly in the app before the deadline (21 days from the prompt date).
- Check the upload summary screen to confirm all files are received.
Good lighting matters. Open curtains and turn on room lights before you film. Dark footage loses the detail that makes a video useful. If natural light is poor, a phone torch angled at the wall rather than directly at the camera reduces glare.
Quick filming checklist
A good condition video is steady, well-lit, narrated, and captures all rooms including keys and meter readings. Rushed or dark footage weakens your record.
- Show every key and access item on camera: main door key, room keys, gate remote, mailbox key — film them in your hand before you use them
- Frame the TNB and water meter displays clearly at the start so the readings are unambiguous at move-out
- Submit before the 21-day deadline shown in the app; late submissions are still kept but the on-time record is what closes disputes fastest
How this protects your deposit at move-out
At the end of your tenancy, your landlord compares the move-out video against your move-in record. Pre-existing damage already on the move-in video cannot be deducted from your deposit. Only damage that appeared during your occupancy is chargeable.
Malaysia has no statutory cap on the deposit amount and no legally fixed deadline for refund, so most disputes are settled by negotiation. If negotiation fails, the claim goes to the Small Claims division (≤RM5,000 for individuals) or the Consumer Tribunal (≤RM50,000 where the claim can be framed as a consumer or service dispute) — there is no dedicated tenancy tribunal. A clear video record shortens the negotiation because both sides can see what was there before and what changed.
If a deduction is contested, your submission timestamps in the SPEEDHOME platform records show exactly when each video was filed, giving you a clear chain of evidence. When a landlord raises an end-of-tenancy claim under the SPEEDHOME rental protection plan, the platform uses your move-in video as the baseline: every pre-existing mark on the record is excluded from the deduction, and only damage that appeared between move-in and move-out is considered. This is why the move-in footage — narrated, well-lit, and submitted on time — is the document that does the heavy lifting in a claim review. For broader deposit rights and the refund process, see the security deposit Malaysia guide and the full how to protect your security deposit checklist.
If you are still searching for a rental, the move-in and move-out checklist Malaysia covers what to look for before you sign.
Browse verified, move-in-ready rentals on SPEEDHOME → SPEEDHOME rentals
Frequently asked questions
Is a move-in video legally valid in Malaysia?
Yes. A timestamped video is admissible as documentary evidence. If you share it via WhatsApp and the landlord reads it, the read receipt adds a second layer of proof that they were informed of the property's condition on that date. It is the most practical defence against unfair deposit deductions.
What happens if I miss a scheduled submission?
The SPEEDHOME app sends reminder notifications after a missed deadline. Submit as soon as you can after the reminder. Submitting late is better than not submitting at all — the timestamp shows when the video was taken and the submission record is still updated.
Can I submit a video for urgent damage outside the schedule?
Yes. Ad-hoc videos can be submitted at any time from the tenancy screen. Use this option whenever you find damage, a leak, or a fault that needs to be on record before the next scheduled submission date.
What if my landlord disputes the condition shown in my video?
Your video submission timestamps and the landlord's acknowledgement record in the app form the evidence chain. If a dispute escalates, you can request a summary of your submission history from SPEEDHOME to use in Small Claims, the Consumer Tribunal, or civil proceedings. The video record does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it strengthens the documentary record the adjudicator considers when deciding what was pre-existing and what was caused during your occupancy.
Does the condition video requirement apply to Zero Deposit tenancies?
Yes. The condition video workflow applies to all active SPEEDHOME tenancies, including those using Zero Deposit. For Zero Deposit tenancies, the video record is equally important because the managed rental-risk system that replaces the traditional cash deposit still requires clear evidence of pre-existing versus new damage when assessing any end-of-tenancy claims. Not every unit qualifies for Zero Deposit — check the live listing for eligibility before you commit.
Should I also share the video directly with my landlord?
Yes — as a practical courtesy and to create a second, independent record. Share the move-in video via WhatsApp immediately after upload, keep the original file on your phone and in cloud backup, and only delete it after your deposit has been returned in full.