Empty homes show every mark. This is the checklist we use to leave a property ready for a walkthrough, a landlord inspection or a new owner. Work through it after your belongings are out.
33 items across 5 sections.
How to use this printable checklist
Press Print this checklist at the top of the page. The menus, buttons and forms drop out, so you get a clean list with a box next to every task. Want it on your phone instead? Choose Save as PDF in the print window.
Start at the back of the home and work toward the front door, and clean each room from top to bottom: ceiling corners and fans first, floors last. That way you never re-clean dust you just knocked down. Tick each box as you go, then take a photo of the finished room.
Before you start
- Remove all belongings, hangers and trash
- Patch small nail holes if your lease asks for it
- Turn utilities back on if they are off
- Take photos of every room for your records
- Find your move-in report or photos to compare against
Kitchen
- Cabinets and drawers emptied and wiped inside
- Oven and racks cleaned
- Microwave wiped inside and out
- Refrigerator emptied, wiped and defrosted if needed
- Dishwasher interior and filter wiped
- Stovetop, hood and backsplash degreased
- Range hood filter cleaned or replaced if it is your responsibility
- Countertops, sink and faucet cleaned and shined
- Floors mopped edge to edge
Bathrooms
- Toilets scrubbed inside, outside and behind
- Tubs, showers and tile scrubbed
- Mirrors and fixtures polished
- Vanity and drawers wiped inside
- Exhaust fan cover dusted
- Floors mopped and baseboards wiped
Bedrooms, closets and living areas
- Closet shelves and rods wiped
- Baseboards, doors and frames wiped
- Light fixtures and fan blades dusted
- Air vents and ceiling corners dusted
- Switch plates and outlets wiped
- Windows, sills and tracks cleaned
- Carpets vacuumed and hard floors mopped
Final checks
- Washer and dryer wiped and lint trap emptied, if they stay
- Patio, balcony, garage or storage area swept
- Burnt-out bulbs replaced
- Trash removed from the property
- Walk through with the lease checklist in hand
- Return keys and get confirmation
What landlords usually look at first
Every landlord and property manager is different, but the final walkthrough tends to focus on the same places, because they are the ones that take the most work to fix before the next tenant moves in:
- Inside the oven and refrigerator. Grease and old food are easy to spot and are among the first things checked.
- Showers, tubs and toilets. Soap scum, mineral marks and grime around the base of the toilet.
- Floors and baseboards. Dusty edges, sticky spots and marks behind where furniture stood.
- Window tracks, sills and blinds. Small details, but they show whether the home was cleaned or just tidied.
- Anything left behind. Belongings, hangers or trash in closets, the garage or on the balcony.
Compare the home with your move-in report or photos. Normal wear is usually treated differently from dirt or damage, and the rules on deposits vary by state, so check your lease and local tenant rules if you are unsure.
Florida tip: humidity and sand
In South Florida homes, look twice at the spots humidity reaches: grout and caulk in the shower, the corners of closets, and the air vent covers. Sliding door tracks and balconies near the coast collect sand that is easy to miss. If you are leaving a place in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Coral Springs, add those to your list.
Move-out clean vs move-in clean
A move-out clean is done for the person checking the home after you leave: the landlord, the buyer or the property manager. A move-in clean is done for you, before your boxes arrive, so you start fresh in a place someone else lived in. The list is almost the same; who you are cleaning for changes what to focus on.
Tips
- Book the clean for after the movers leave and before the final walkthrough
- Share your lease's cleaning requirements with us
- Keep before and after photos in case of a deposit question
For more on photos, timing and the mistakes that most often cost tenants part of their deposit, read our guide: Move-Out Cleaning Checklist to Help You Get Your Deposit Back.
Rather hand it off?
Moving is a lot without scrubbing an oven at midnight. Bethel J Cleaning Services offers move-out cleaning nationwide with vetted, background-checked cleaners, organic pet-safe products and a 75-point inspection on every job. Call or text (346) 646-6189 or get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is this move-out cleaning checklist free to print?
Yes. Click Print this checklist at the top of the page. Your browser's print window also lets you choose Save as PDF if you would rather keep a digital copy on your phone.
When should the move-out clean happen?
After the movers have taken everything out and before the final walkthrough or key handover. Cleaning while boxes are still in the home means you will have to go over the floors and surfaces again.
Will a professional clean guarantee I get my deposit back?
No cleaner can promise that, because the landlord decides what is deducted and damage is not a cleaning issue. A thorough clean plus dated photos gives you the strongest position. If we miss something on our list, our re-clean guarantee covers it.
Does move-out cleaning include carpet shampooing?
Check your lease first, because some leases ask for professional carpet cleaning. Tell us what your lease requires when you ask for a quote so we can confirm what is included for your home.
What do I need to do before cleaners arrive?
Take out all belongings and trash, and make sure the water and power are on. Share your lease's cleaning requirements with us so nothing on the landlord's list gets skipped.
How much does a move-out cleaning cost?
It depends on the size of the home and its condition. Our cleaning cost guide explains what decides the price, and a quote is free.
Move-out cleaning service · Our re-clean guarantee · Cleaning cost guide