Most security deposit disputes come down to one thing: cleanliness. Landlords and property managers walk through with a very specific checklist, and if the home does not match what they expect, they will withhold part of your deposit to hire a professional.
What landlords actually check
- Inside the oven, refrigerator and dishwasher
- Inside cabinets, drawers and closets
- Baseboards, door frames and switch plates
- Bathrooms: grout, showers, toilets and vents
- Carpets vacuumed, floors mopped, no scuffs
- Windows, sills and tracks
Move out cleaning checklist
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe inside all cabinets and drawers
- Clean inside oven, microwave and refrigerator
- Degrease range hood and backsplash
- Sanitize sink and polish faucet
Bathrooms
- Scrub tile, grout and shower glass
- Descale faucets and shower heads
- Wipe inside vanity and drawers
- Clean exhaust fan cover
Every room
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Wipe baseboards, doors and frames
- Vacuum and mop every square foot, including closets
- Wipe inside windows and tracks
When to hire a pro
If you are moving out of a larger home, a rental you have lived in for years, or you simply do not have time, a professional move out cleaning almost always pays for itself in deposit money returned. We handle move in and move out cleans across Sarasota, Venice and Bradenton every week.
