Move Out Cleaning: A Renters Guide to Receiving Your Deposit Back

No matter if you rent your home or you own it, moving takes a lot of effort. Your first goals may be to simply pack your belongings. After you have secured your items, and they are on their way to your new home, take a break. Take a moment to look at the mess that is left behind. Here are three tips to help you complete your move out cleaning.

Move Out Cleaning

If you rent your home, how well you clean your house may have a monetary consequence. Your deposit that you receive back from your landlord, may be several hundred or a few thousand dollars. The hard work that you put in to clean the house at the time truly seems worth the effort. Read over your lease agreement, and the deposit information. Know the exact amount of your expected refund.

Do a light cleaning of the premises and have the landlord, or apartment manager come into your home to asses the damages. Your light cleaning should include carpet cleaning to remove all stains. Clean the inside, outside, and behind all appliances. Do not forget the inside and outside of the stove, and behind the refrigerator. If possible clean the walls, or put on a light coat of neutral color paint.

If doing the work yourself, is not possible due to your time restraints or physical condition find help. Plan for someone else do to all of your deep cleaning. It may be worth it to hire a professional to come in, and do the move out cleaning for you. A professional move out cleaner may cost you anywhere from $ 300 to $500 or more.

However, think about the time you will be saving, and how the costs can be offset. For example, if you paid one month rent of $ 1200 as a security deposit you can expect to receive part of that back. There may some minor damages from normal wear and tear of the home. The landlord may deduct professional cleaning fees out of your deposit if you personally did a bad job of cleaning.

Do not be afraid to talk with the landlord or apartment management. Have a copy of their procedure or policy for assessing damages, and refunding security deposits. Document the condition of your apartment when you left. Take digital pictures and make copies of your original lease agreement. If you did a condition checklist form when you moved in, go back and write down on the copy the condition of each area. Photograph every room and the outside of the home. Use these tips to help you with move out cleaning.