Move out of your apartment and get your full security deposit back. Covers cleaning standards, minor repairs, documentation, the final walkthrough, and key return procedures.
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Pre-Move-Out Preparation
Review your lease for move-out requirements
Most leases specify exact move-out conditions: cleaning standards, notice period, key return deadline, and forwarding address requirements. Missing any of these can cost you part or all of your deposit. Re-read the move-out section 30 days before your lease end.
Confirm your notice was given on time (30-60 days typically)
Note any specific cleaning or repair requirements in the lease
Pull out your move-in photos and condition report
Compare the current condition to your move-in documentation. You're only responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Small nail holes, minor scuffs, and faded paint are normal wear — large holes, stains, and broken fixtures are not.
Schedule the final walkthrough with your landlord
Request a walkthrough 2-3 days before your move-out date so you have time to fix anything they flag. Get this scheduled in writing via email. Some states require landlords to provide a pre-move-out inspection if you request one.
Cleaning
Deep clean the kitchen
Clean inside and outside of oven, stovetop, and range hood
Clean inside the refrigerator and freezer (defrost if needed)
Clean inside all cabinets and drawers
Scrub the sink, faucet, and countertops
Clean the dishwasher interior and filter
Deep clean all bathrooms
Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base
Clean the shower/tub, including grout and caulking
Clean the vanity, mirror, and medicine cabinet
Remove any mildew or mold from tile and grout
Clean all floors, walls, and baseboards
Vacuum all carpets and mop all hard floors. Wipe down baseboards — landlords check these. Clean scuff marks off walls with a damp cloth or magic eraser. If your lease says professional carpet cleaning is required, book it and save the receipt.
Clean windows, blinds, and light fixtures
Clean inside all closets and storage areas
Minor Repairs
Fill nail holes and small wall damage
Use lightweight spackling paste and a putty knife. Let it dry, then sand smooth. For white walls, this is often enough. For colored walls, apply a dab of matching paint. A small repair kit costs under $15 and can save you $50-$100 in deposit deductions.
Touch up paint if needed
Check your lease — some require you to repaint, others prohibit it. If touching up, use the same paint color and finish. Ask your landlord for the paint brand and color code, or check the inside of a closet for a color match.
Replace burnt-out light bulbs
Fix or replace damaged blinds and curtain rods
Unclog drains and fix running toilets
A slow drain is a $5 fix with a drain cleaner or plunger. If you leave it clogged, a landlord can charge $75-$150 for a plumber and deduct it from your deposit.
Final Walkthrough & Key Return
Take timestamped photos of every room after cleaning
Photograph the same angles as your move-in photos. Include close-ups of appliances, floors, walls, and any areas you repaired. These are your evidence if there's a deposit dispute.
Attend the final walkthrough with your landlord
Walk through every room together. Ask them to note anything they consider damage versus normal wear and tear. If they flag something you disagree with, reference your move-in photos. Get any deductions listed in writing before you leave.
Return all keys, fobs, garage remotes, and mailbox keys
Provide your forwarding address in writing
Your landlord needs this to mail your deposit refund. Most states require landlords to return your deposit within 14-30 days. If they don't, you may be entitled to penalties — check your state's tenant rights laws.
Cancel or transfer all utilities
Cancel or transfer electricity and gas
Cancel internet service
Cancel renter's insurance or update the address
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my full security deposit back?
Document the apartment's condition with timestamped photos and video of every room, wall, floor, and appliance during your move-out walkthrough — this is your primary evidence if the landlord disputes the condition. Fill nail holes with spackle ($5) and touch up paint scuffs with matching paint (ask the landlord for the color name or bring a chip to the hardware store for matching). Most state laws define "normal wear and tear" — which the landlord cannot charge for — as minor scuffs, small nail holes, faded paint, and light carpet wear from everyday use.
How clean does the apartment need to be when I move out?
The standard is "broom clean" — meaning the apartment should be cleaned to the same condition as when you moved in, minus normal wear and tear. Focus on the areas landlords inspect most closely: oven interior, refrigerator interior and coils, bathroom grout and caulk, baseboards, and window tracks. Professional move-out cleaning costs $150-$350 for a 1-2 bedroom apartment and is often cheaper than the cleaning fee a landlord will deduct from your deposit (which can be $200-$500+ since landlords often mark up vendor costs).
How much notice do I need to give before moving out?
Most 12-month leases require 30-60 days' written notice before the lease end date, even if you're leaving when the lease naturally expires — failing to provide notice can trigger automatic month-to-month renewal at a higher rate. Month-to-month tenants typically owe 30 days' notice, due on the first of the month (so if you give notice on January 15, you're responsible through February 28, not February 15). Always submit your notice in writing via email or certified mail — verbal notice is difficult to prove and landlords may claim they never received it.
What can the landlord legally deduct from my security deposit?
Landlords can deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs if the unit was left in unclean condition, and unreturned keys or parking devices. They cannot charge for repainting walls that were painted 3+ years ago (paint has a defined useful life), replacing carpet with normal traffic wear, or fixing pre-existing damage documented in your move-in inspection report. Most states require the landlord to provide an itemized list of deductions within 14-30 days of move-out — if they miss this deadline, many states require return of the full deposit regardless of damage.