If you're preparing to move out of a rental in Aurora, Denver, or anywhere in Colorado, one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — steps you can take is documenting your unit before turning over the keys. Why? Because photos and documentation protect your deposit, your rights, and your peace of mind.

Let’s break down what to document, how to do it, and how this simple step could save you hundreds in unfair charges.

Why Documentation Matters for Colorado Renters

In Colorado, landlords are legally allowed to withhold part or all of your security deposit for damages or excessive cleaning. But without documentation, it's your word against theirs.

Landlords must provide an itemized list of deductions under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 38-12-103). But if you can’t prove the condition the unit was in when you left, contesting unfair deductions becomes difficult.

And unfortunately, we've seen it all — tenants charged for stains they didn’t cause, or for “damages” that were already there.

What to Photograph or Record

• Entire Room Views: Wide shots of every room — kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces. Capture floors, windows, and closets in one frame.
• Close-Ups of High-Risk Areas: Inside fridge and oven, under burners, inside window tracks, baseboards, shower grout, and bathroom fixtures.
• Any Pre-Existing Damage: Document scratches, chipped tile, broken blinds, or anything that could be blamed on you later.
• Final Clean Shots: Snap photos after your cleaning team finishes. This shows the unit was left in move-out condition.

Pro Tip: Take video as well as photos. Use natural lighting and enable geo-tags or timestamps when possible.

Even If You Hired a Cleaning Service — Document Anyway

Hiring a professional cleaner is a smart move. But some landlords may still say you didn’t clean “well enough.” That’s why documentation on your end is essential — even when using trusted services like ours.

At Trusted Choice Cleaning, we handle inspection-level detail and provide digital receipts and proof of service, but we still advise tenants to back themselves up with personal photos and video.

How to Organize Your Files

• Create a digital folder labeled with your move-out date
• Upload everything to Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar
• Include receipts from cleaning services or repairs
• Attach documentation to your move-out notice if needed

If any part of your deposit is unfairly withheld, this trail of evidence makes a strong case in your favor.

Legal Backing for Colorado Tenants

Colorado rental law protects tenants — but only if you know how to use it. Under C.R.S. § 38-12-103:

• Landlords have 30 days (unless your lease says otherwise) to return your deposit
• They must send an itemized list of deductions
• You may challenge any deduction with documentation

Leave Confident — Not Caught Off Guard

We help renters across Aurora and Denver prepare for inspections with detailed, professional-grade move-out cleaning.

Pair our service with your own documentation and walk away protected.