Don't lose your deposit to a dispute you can't prove
Whether you're vacating a rented house in Kampala, Nairobi, or Dar es Salaam, get a fair, timestamped move-out record with est8Ledger free, in minutes. Add your agreement, invite your landlord, and document the move-out together so there's nothing left to argue about when it's time to refund your deposit.
How to move out of your rented house the fair way
No forms to chase, no app required for your landlord to approve. Just a clear, shared record both of you sign off on before you hand back the keys.
Add your agreement
Upload or enter your existing lease details. Even a photo of a paper agreement works.
Invite your landlord
One tap sends them a link. No app download needed for them to view and approve.
Do a fair move-out inspection
Guided, timestamped, photo and video-backed. Both of you approve the same record.
We help you tell wear-and-tear apart from damage
Normal fading, small scuffs, and a worn carpet from everyday living aren't grounds for a deduction. Our guided inspection flags what's fair wear and tear versus what genuinely needs repair, so nothing gets deducted from your deposit that shouldn't be.
Normal wear & tear
Landlord absorbs, not deductible
- Faded, chalking, or lightly scuffed paint from age and sunlight
- Minor nail or picture-hook holes in walls
- Worn patches on tiled or cemented floors from foot traffic
- Loose door hinges, sticking locks, or worn handles from years of use
- Faded curtains or window fittings
- Small cracks in plaster from normal building settling
- Dimmed or slightly yellowed light fittings
- Worn grouting or minor tile discoloration in bathrooms and kitchens from ordinary use
- General dust or light dirt that comes from simply living in a space day to day
Allowable deductions
Tenant-caused damage or neglect
- Holes in walls from forced entry, structural damage, or removed fixtures
- Broken windows, doors, or locks from misuse or negligence
- Burn marks, deep stains, or water damage from tenant negligence, such as an unreported leak left to spread
- Missing or intentionally damaged fixtures: sinks, toilets, electrical fittings, cabinetry
- Significant, unrepaired plumbing or electrical damage caused by tenant modifications
- Pest infestations caused by poor upkeep, not pre-existing structural issues
- Excessive dirt or cleaning beyond normal, such as a property left in a state requiring deep professional cleaning rather than routine turnover cleaning
- Unpaid utility bills left outstanding at move-out
- Unauthorized structural changes, such as knocked-through walls or removed fittings, that were not restored
During your inspection, every item you flag is tagged as wear-and-tear or damage with photo evidence, so any deduction is backed by proof, not a guess.
Timestamped. Geo-tagged. Mutually approved. Tamper-proof.
Every photo and note is time-stamped and location-tagged the moment it's captured, then written to a tamper-proof ledger once both of you approve it, so neither side can quietly change the record later.
For landlords: takes 2 minutes, no cost, and protects you too. A documented, shared record cuts disputes for both sides.
"Built by people who kept hearing tenants across East Africa ask the same question: will I get my deposit back?"
est8Ledger was started to give every tenant a straight answer, backed by evidence.
Moving out and deposit refund questions
How do I get my full rental deposit back when moving out in Uganda?
Document the property's condition with dated, photo-backed evidence at move-out and compare it against your move-in record. Most deposit refund disputes in Uganda happen because there is no shared proof of condition, so a joint, timestamped move-out inspection that both you and your landlord approve is the clearest way to support a full refund.
Can my landlord refuse to refund my deposit?
Not without justification. Under Uganda's Landlord and Tenant Act 2022, deductions must relate to actual damage beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent, or unpaid bills. If there is no documented evidence of damage, there is no fair basis to withhold your deposit.
How much notice do I need to give before vacating a rented house?
Notice periods are set by your tenancy agreement, but Uganda's Landlord and Tenant Act 2022 generally expects at least one month's written notice unless your lease states otherwise. Always check what your signed agreement requires before you give notice to vacate.
How do you tell wear-and-tear apart from real damage?
During your guided move-out inspection, each item you photograph is flagged as either normal wear and tear (like faded paint or a worn carpet) or genuine damage (like a hole in the wall or a stain). That distinction is recorded alongside the evidence, so deductions are based on what actually needs repair.
Does my landlord need to download anything?
No. Your landlord gets a simple link to view and approve the agreement and the move-out inspection. No app download or account is required on their end.
Does this cost anything?
No. Adding your agreement, inviting your landlord, and completing a fair move-out inspection is free.
What happens to my deposit?
That part is optional. If you and your landlord want to, you can place the deposit in regulated escrow on est8Ledger for extra protection, but you can complete a fair move-out record without it.
Start your move-out inspection
Free, in minutes, and built so both sides walk away with the same proof.