Clean out the garbage disposal to ensure that no food is stuck inside and no smell will linger.Clean both the inside and outside of the dishwasher, being sure to remove any particles of food that may have collected on the bottom or in the filter.Clean the inside of the oven by wiping down the inside racks and drip trays and removing any food particles.For a gas stove top, remove and clean on, around and under the burner grates.For an electric stove top, remove any food debris and wipe the glass clean.If the microwave sits on a countertop, be sure to clean underneath it to remove any crumbs or debris.If the microwave is built-in and suspended, be sure to wipe the bottom clean.Clean both the inside and outside of the microwave.Remove, donate or throw away anything remaining in the refrigerator and freezer, and wipe both the inside and outside of the appliance clean with a disinfectant cleaner.Consider using a vacuum hose extension to remove any stubborn crumbs that are not easily wiped away from the corners. Clean both the insides and outsides of cupboards, drawers and pantries.Wipe down the walls, paying special attention to the backsplash and other areas surrounding the stovetop where grease and food buildup could be.Remove any remaining wood and ash from the fireplace, and be sure the flue is shut.Check for and remove any scuff marks on the floor that may have been caused by shifting furniture.
Check the walls for any scuff marks, and repair any that are found.Remove any mold or mildew that may have grown over time.Use a cleaner and a brush to clean the inside of the toilet, and use a disinfectant on the outside.Remove any hair from in and around the drains and ensure there are no clogs.Clean all mirrors using a glass cleaner and a streak-free rag.Disinfect and clean the showers, bathtubs and sinks, paying special attention to soap, lime, rust or other types of buildup that may be clinging to any metal hardware.
Ensure that the closets are emptied and cleaned.Check for scuff marks in areas where the bed and other furniture meet the wall, and paint over them if needed.Remove all nails, hooks or mounted mirrors from the walls and ceiling, and follow your lease agreement as far as how to handle filling any holes.Repaint the room back to its original color, and remove any temporary wallpaper that you may have put up.Here is our breakdown of tasks by room: In The Bedroom(s) However, if you’ve managed to successfully make it through your lease without causing any damage to the rental, it’s important that you get that money back. Landlords charge security deposits to ensure that, if anything was damaged during the duration of your occupancy, they are guaranteed that the funds are available for them to make the necessary repairs before the next tenants move in. When you moved in, it’s more than likely that you were required to put down money as a security deposit, which may have been upward of a month’s rent. Why Complete All The Items on This Checklist? But before you do, remember to give your new forwarding address to your landlord, so they know exactly where to return your security deposit. Once you’ve completed this list, you should officially be ready to turn in your keys. This Tenant Moving Out Checklist Will Help You Get Your Deposit BackĮnter our handy checklist. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers.
This compensation comes from two main sources. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective.