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Getting your deposit back at move-out — what I wish I'd documented

Fatima Al-Rashid ⭐ Helpful member
8 Jul 2026, 04:33

A friend just lost most of a hefty deposit over 'damage' that was there when they moved in and couldn't prove otherwise. It's made me paranoid about my own move-in. For those who've been through a move-out here — what should I be photographing, dating, and getting in writing now, so I'm not fighting for my money back later?

6 replies

Anna Kowalski 🏆 Community expert
9 Jul 2026, 06:22

Photograph literally everything, including things that seem irrelevant at the time — light switches, small wall marks. Has genuinely saved me twice now.

Diego Fernandez 🏆 Community expert
12 Jul 2026, 12:00

Following, moving out in two months and getting nervous reading this.

Sofia Mendes ⭐ Helpful member
22 Jul 2026, 00:13

Get a written, dated inventory signed by both parties right at move-in specifically — the single most useful document I’ve had for exactly this situation later on.

Diego Fernandez 🏆 Community expert
8 Aug 2026, 16:08

Update from me, since I said in July I was moving out: done, and I got nearly all of it back. The landlord tried to charge for "general wear" on the walls, and the dated photos from move-in day settled it in one email. There was a small cleaning charge I didn't argue with because, honestly, the oven deserved it.

Fatima Al-Rashid ⭐ Helpful member
10 Aug 2026, 18:40

That's so good to hear, Diego. The oven deserving it made me laugh.

Oliver Brandt ⭐ Helpful member
13 Aug 2026, 21:49

Dated photos win again.