When you move out of a rental home, your landlord can deduct cleaning costs from your rental security deposit if the home is not left clean. A professional move-out cleaning is one of the easiest ways to hand back the keys with confidence. This move-out cleaning checklist shows exactly what our team cleans, and what you need to do before we arrive.
In South Carolina, a landlord has 30 days after the lease ends to return a tenant’s rental security deposit and must list any deductions in writing, according to South Carolina Code Section 27-40-410. A clean home gives your landlord one less reason to make a deduction.
Our Move-Out Cleaning Checklist: What Our Team Includes
This is what the Excellent Cleaning team takes care of.
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of the oven, including the racks
- Inside of the refrigerator, including shelves and drawers
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
- Stovetop and range hood
- Microwave, inside and out
- Sink and faucet
- Countertops and backsplash
- Floors
Bathrooms
- Toilet, inside and out, including the base
- Tub, shower, and shower glass
- Sink, faucet, and mirror
- Inside of the vanity
- Exhaust fan cover
- Floors and baseboards
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Baseboards, door frames, and doors
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Window sills and window glass
- Inside of closets, including shelves
- Floors
Extras to Add to Your Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
- Window tracks
- High or hard-to-reach windows
- Porches
If you want any of these, just mention them when you request your quote.
What Landlords Check During a Move-Out Inspection
Most landlords walk through the home with a checklist of their own. These are the areas they tend to look at most closely, and every one of them is part of our move-out cleaning checklist:
- Inside the oven and refrigerator
- Inside kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Bathroom tubs, showers, and toilets
- Baseboards and floors
- Window sills and window glass
- Inside closets
A home that is clean in these spots leaves your landlord with fewer reasons to deduct cleaning costs from your rental security deposit.
Before Your Cleaning Day: What the Tenant Needs to Do
These steps are the tenant’s responsibility. Our cleaning team does not move belongings or remove trash left in the home.
- Move all of your belongings out of the home, including closets and cabinets
- Take out any trash and items you do not want to keep before the cleaning team arrives
An empty home lets our team reach every surface on this move-out cleaning checklist and finish the job right.
How Much Does a Move-Out Cleaning Cost?
Price depends mostly on the size of the home and its condition. Our guide on how much move-out cleaning costs in Charleston breaks down typical ranges by home size. You can also learn more about our move-in and move-out cleaning service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in your move-out cleaning checklist?
Our team cleans the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas from top to bottom, including the inside of the oven, refrigerator, and cabinets, baseboards, window sills, closets, and all floors.
Does a professional move-out cleaning include the oven and refrigerator?
Yes. Our move-out cleaning includes the inside of the oven, the refrigerator, and the cabinets.
Are windows included in a move-out cleaning?
Window glass is included. Window tracks and high or hard-to-reach windows are extras, so mention them when you request a quote.
Do I need to empty the home before the cleaning?
Yes. All belongings and trash should be out of the home before our team arrives. Our cleaners do not move belongings or remove trash left in the home.
Leave Your Rental Spotless
Excellent Cleaning LLC helps renters across Charleston and surrounding areas move out with confidence. Our goal is for you to be 100% satisfied with every cleaning. Request a free quote or call us at (843) 367-4161 to schedule your move-out cleaning.
