Move-Out Checklist (Tenant Cleanup)
A room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist for tenants — kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms/living areas, whole-home, and the deposit-return admin steps (photos, inspection, keys, forwarding address) to help get your security deposit back.
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MOVE-OUT CHECKLIST Address: 14 Maple St, Apt 3B Move-out: _______________ 1. KITCHEN [ ] Clean inside/outside of oven & stovetop [ ] Clean inside fridge/freezer; defrost if needed [ ] Wipe all cabinets inside & out [ ] Clean sink & faucet; descale [ ] Degrease backsplash & counters [ ] Clean dishwasher & microwave [ ] Sweep & mop floor [ ] Empty & clean trash area 2. BATHROOMS [ ] Scrub toilet, tub, and shower [ ] Descale showerhead & glass [ ] Clean sink, counter, and mirror [ ] Wipe cabinets & drawers [ ] Clean exhaust fan cover [ ] Replace any missing light bulbs [ ] Sweep & mop floor 3. BEDROOMS & LIVING AREAS [ ] Dust all surfaces, shelves, and blinds [ ] Clean inside closets [ ] Wipe baseboards, doors, and switch plates [ ] Clean windows & sills [ ] Spot-clean or shampoo carpet [ ] Patch nail holes (if lease requires) [ ] Vacuum / mop floors 4. WHOLE HOME [ ] Replace HVAC filter [ ] Replace burnt-out bulbs [ ] Test & note smoke/CO detectors [ ] Clean light fixtures & ceiling fans [ ] Wipe walls & remove scuffs [ ] Remove all personal items & trash [ ] Clean balcony/patio, garage, storage 5. DEPOSIT-RETURN ADMIN [ ] Take date-stamped photos/video of every room (empty & clean) [ ] Request a move-out walkthrough/inspection with landlord [ ] Get the move-out condition statement in writing [ ] Return all keys, fobs, remotes, and parking passes [ ] Provide forwarding address in writing for deposit [ ] Take final utility meter readings; cancel/transfer utilities [ ] Keep a copy of the lease and all move-out documentation Get your deposit back: photograph every room (empty + clean), be present for the move-out inspection, return all keys, and give a written forwarding address. Many states require the landlord to itemize deductions and refund within 14-60 days.
About this template
A move-out checklist does one job that pays for itself: it gets your security deposit back by leaving the unit clean and, just as importantly, documenting that you did. Most deposit disputes are not about whether the place was clean — they are about proof. So the checklist works on two tracks. First, **clean room by room** (kitchen and bathrooms are where deductions cluster — ovens, fridges, tubs, and grout), then the whole home (filters, bulbs, walls, baseboards, and removing every last item and bit of trash). Second, and most overlooked, run the **deposit-return admin** track: take **date-stamped photos or video of every room while empty and clean**, be present for the **move-out walkthrough** and get the condition statement in writing, **return all keys and access devices** (unreturned keys are a common deduction), and provide a **written forwarding address** so the landlord can mail your deposit and itemized statement. Final utility meter readings and canceling/transferring service prevent surprise charges. Knowing the law helps: most states require the landlord to return the deposit with an itemized list of any deductions within a set window — commonly 14 to 60 days — and many impose penalties for missing it. Check your state and your lease for specifics (some require landlords to offer a pre-move-out inspection so you can fix issues first). Compare your move-in condition report to your move-out photos; normal wear and tear is not chargeable, but damage and dirtiness are. Do the cleaning, but never skip the documentation — the photos are what win the dispute.
When to use it
- Moving out of a rental and aiming to recover the full deposit.
- Cleaning a unit room by room before the final inspection.
- Documenting the unit's condition at move-out.
- Handing back keys and closing out utilities and admin.
What to include
- Room-by-room cleaning: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms/living, whole home.
- Date-stamped photos/video of every empty, clean room.
- A move-out walkthrough and written condition statement.
- Return of all keys/fobs and a written forwarding address.
- Final utility meter readings and a copy of all documentation.