Moving out of a rental in North Atlanta? Landlords check the same handful of spots every time. Here's exactly what to clean before you hand over the keys.
Georgia landlords can deduct from your security deposit for damage beyond normal wear and tear, and a unit left dirty is one of the most common sources of disputes. In practice, the move-out walkthrough often comes down to a few high-visibility spots. Nail those and you dramatically improve your odds of getting your full deposit back.
Start with an empty home
Cleaning goes faster and better once everything is out. Schedule your clean for after the movers leave but before the final walkthrough. Leave yourself (or your cleaning team) at least half a day.
Kitchen: where deposits are won or lost
- Inside the oven, including racks and the glass door.
- Inside the refrigerator and freezer. Unplug only if your lease allows it, and prop the door open.
- Inside every cabinet and drawer: crumbs and sticky rings get noticed.
- Range hood and filter: grease build-up is a common deduction.
- Sink, faucet and disposal flange polished.
Bathrooms
- Hard-water spots and soap scum removed from glass and tile.
- Grout scrubbed, especially around the tub and shower floor.
- Toilet cleaned all the way around the base and behind.
- Inside the vanity and medicine cabinet.
- Exhaust fan cover dusted.
Every room
- Baseboards wiped by hand.
- Light switches, outlets and door handles cleaned.
- Window sills and tracks vacuumed and wiped.
- Closets emptied, shelves wiped, floors vacuumed.
- Nail holes: check your lease. Some landlords prefer you leave them.
- Floors vacuumed edge to edge and mopped.
Hiring a move-out clean
A professional move-out clean typically costs far less than the deductions it prevents, and it's one less thing on your plate during an already stressful week. Our move-in/move-out service covers everything above, including inside appliances and cabinets.
