Documenting what your belongings were worth
To prove the value of belongings damaged by a rental problem, you generally need evidence of what you owned, its condition and age, and what it was worth — the more documentation, the better.
Helpful evidence includes an itemized list of the damaged items with each one's description, approximate age, and value; photos or video showing the items and their damage; and any proof of purchase, such as receipts, order confirmations, or bank and card statements. Photos of the items in your home before the damage can also show you owned them and their prior condition.
For higher-value things like electronics or furniture, model information and records make value easier to establish. If items had to be discarded for safety — like sewage-soaked or infested belongings — thorough photos taken before disposal become your proof.
This kind of documentation supports a claim for the loss and helps establish a credible amount. It connects to the broader habitability picture when the landlord's neglect caused the damage. If your belongings were damaged and you want to understand how to prove their value, a free, confidential review can help you know what to gather.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.