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

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.

1. 1

   Capture — Photograph the place at move-in and move-out. Every photo is timestamped the second you take it.

2. 2

   Build — Add your lease, your messages, your demand letter — all on one clear, dated timeline.

3. 3

   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.

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.

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

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

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, and your lease or your state’s tenant information page will tell you what applies to you. What helps either way is a dated record: when you moved out, when you handed back the keys, when you gave your forwarding address, and every time you asked about the deposit.

Other situations

Dealing with more than one thing?

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