How do I prove my apartment was clean when I moved out?

Timestamped photos and videos taken at move-out — and ideally at move-in too, so you can show the before-and-after. Keep them dated and in one place.

What can a landlord legally deduct from my deposit?

Generally unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear — not ordinary wear, and usually only with itemized proof. Rules and deadlines vary by state.

What should I document to get my deposit back?

Move-in and move-out photos, your lease, every message with the landlord, your forwarding address, and your written demand for the deposit — all dated.

How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?

It varies by state — commonly 14 to 30 days after you move out. Check your state’s deadline; if they miss it, you may be entitled to extra damages.

buildmyevidence Start your record →

buildmyevidence · rental

Getting your deposit back? Document the damage and the dates.

Move-in photos, move-out photos, every message with your landlord — captured, timestamped, and kept in one record. The proof that wins in small claims court.

Start your record See the free demo →

Case TimelineSecurity Deposit18 ENTRIES · TIMESTAMPED

Move-in photos takenFeb 1, 2026 · 9:15 AM · condition on day one

Lease signed & filedFeb 1, 2026 · 2:40 PM · stored in the case

Move-out photos takenJan 31, 2027 · 11:05 AM · clean & undamaged

Demand letter sentFeb 8, 2027 · 4:30 PM · deposit not returned

Export complete case file → PDF

Is this you?

Is this happening to you?

Your lease ended, and the deposit didn't come back the way it should have. Sound familiar?

The deadline passed and you’ve heard nothing
They’re keeping it for “damage” that was there when you moved in
“Cleaning fees” and charges with no receipts
Deductions for normal wear and tear
They won’t show you any proof of the repairs they charged you for

In court, it comes down to one thing — who can prove the condition of the place, with dates. That's what this app helps you build.

How it works

Three simple steps.

Capture — Photograph the place at move-in and move-out. Every photo is timestamped the second you take it.
Build — Add your lease, your messages, your demand letter — all on one clear, dated timeline.
Export — One tap turns it into a complete record, ready for small claims court.

The demo

See the whole app for yourself.

No signup. No payment. Just open the free demo and see exactly how it works — about 60 seconds.

Try the free demo →

For tenant lawyers & housing advocates

A deposit case is only as strong as the photos and the dates.

Most tenants arrive with a few blurry photos and “I think it was clean.” The ones who win show up with timestamped move-in and move-out photos and every message in order. You can't take those photos for them. But you can point them somewhere that does.

What usually walks in

“I’m pretty sure it was clean”
Photos with no dates
Lost the move-in pics
No copy of the lease or messages

What buildmyevidence brings

Timestamped move-in & move-out photos
Every message with the landlord, dated
Lease and demand letter in one place
Exported as a clean record

They arrive ready

Dated proof, not “I think”. A stronger claim from day one.

Evidence isn’t lost

Recommend it at move-in and the proof exists before the dispute.

Costs you nothing

No admin. Just point them to it.

See what your client would bring you →

Opens the free demo · no signup

If it's not documented, it's just your word.

Start building your record today — or see the free demo first.

Start your record See the free demo →

Private to you · export your case file anytime

Questions

Getting your security deposit back

How do I prove my apartment was clean when I moved out?: Timestamped photos and videos taken at move-out — and ideally at move-in too, so you can show the before-and-after. Keep them dated and in one place.
What can a landlord legally deduct from my deposit?: Generally unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear — not ordinary wear, and usually only with itemized proof. Rules and deadlines vary by state.
What should I document to get my deposit back?: Move-in and move-out photos, your lease, every message with the landlord, your forwarding address, and your written demand for the deposit — all dated.
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?: It varies by state — commonly 14 to 30 days after you move out. Check your state’s deadline; if they miss it, you may be entitled to extra damages.

Other situations

Dealing with more than one thing?

buildmyevidence works for any situation you need to prove. A few others:

Contractor dispute /contractor-dispute Neighbor dispute /neighbor-dispute HOA dispute /hoa-dispute Denied insurance claim /insurance-claim-denied

See all situations →