A move-out clean has one job: leave the place in the condition it was in at move-in, minus normal wear and tear. Landlords and property managers usually do a walkthrough after the keys come back, and cleaning charges are one of the most common deductions from a security deposit.
Whether you're a tenant or a cleaner hired for the job, work through this list and photograph the result. Many states require landlords to itemize deductions, and clear before & after photos make it much harder to justify a charge you don't agree with.
Kitchen
- Oven and range: racks, drip pans, burner grates, oven door glass.
- Range hood and filter: degreased.
- Refrigerator: emptied, shelves washed, seals wiped, coils dusted if accessible.
- Microwave inside and out.
- Cabinets and drawers, inside and out; shelf liners removed if they weren't there at move-in.
- Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet; garbage disposal cleared.
- Dishwasher filter and door seal.
- Floor, including under the fridge and range if they slide out.
Bathrooms
- Toilet, including the base and behind it.
- Tub, shower walls, grout and glass door; soap scum and hard-water stains removed.
- Vanity, sink, faucet and mirror.
- Medicine cabinet and drawers emptied and wiped.
- Exhaust fan cover dusted.
Bedrooms and living spaces
- Closets emptied, shelves and rods wiped.
- Baseboards, door frames, doors and knobs.
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Window sills, tracks and blinds.
- Nail holes: check your lease — some require filling, some prefer you leave them.
- Carpet vacuumed (or professionally cleaned if the lease says so); hard floors mopped.
Don't forget
- Light switches and outlet covers.
- Air vents and return grilles.
- Washer and dryer: lint trap, drum, detergent tray.
- Patio, balcony or garage swept.
- All trash removed from the property and bins.
Prove the clean
The walkthrough often happens after you've gone. Your photos are the only record of how you left it.
- Shoot each room from the doorway, then the problem areas up close.
- Match the angle of your move-in photos if you have them.
- Keep the date and time visible on each image, and note the address.
- Send the photos to the landlord or property manager the same day, in writing.