Kitchen
- Refrigerator and freezer, inside and out
- Stovetop, drip pans, oven, hood, and microwave
- Dishwasher and other appliances
- Cabinets, shelves, and drawers, inside and out
- Countertops and sink
Resident guide
Move out smoothly.
Leave nothing behind.
A practical checklist for cleaning, returning keys, and closing out your lease with fewer surprises.
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1
Vacate completely by the final day of your lease.
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2
Return every key to the property manager on time.
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3
Review your lease for refund and charge procedures.
Start here
Before you leave
- Remove all personal items and trash from the home and yard.
- Arrange furniture, appliance, and bulk-trash pickup before the lease ends.
- Do not place trash in recycling containers; fines may apply.
- Repair tenant-, visitor-, or pet-caused damage properly.
- If lawn care is your responsibility, mow, trim, and remove yard debris.
- If applicable, disconnect utilities on the final day of the lease.
General cleaning
Work through the home, one space at a time
Clean, disinfect, and remove marks or debris wherever they appear.
Bathrooms
- Disinfect sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets
- Clean walls, windows, and mirrors
- Wash floors and remove stains or marks
- Remove residue from fixtures and surfaces
Floors
- Sweep or vacuum non-carpeted areas
- Vacuum all carpets, if applicable
- Mop or scrub vinyl and hard floors
- Clean air-conditioning vents
Windows & doors
- Clean glass, sills, tracks, and blinds
- Secure and repair screens or screen doors
- Remove cobwebs and accumulated debris
- Clean doors, knobs, and door jambs
Walls & details
- Wipe walls, switches, hallways, and baseboards
- Dust above doors and clean vents
- Clean all light fixtures
- Complete repairs neatly and properly
Outside & shared areas
- Sweep porches, garage, and laundry area
- Clean sliding glass doors
- Rake and bag leaves; haul away all debris
- Weed garden beds, mow grass, and check lights
Condition guide
Ordinary wear or tenant-caused damage?
These examples are general guidance. The facts, your lease, and applicable law determine responsibility in a specific situation.
Ordinary wear
Natural, gradual aging from normal use
- Faded curtains or wall paint
- Minor marks, nicks, or a few small nail holes
- Carpet worn thin or moderately spotted
- Worn refrigerator-door gaskets
- Warped cabinet doors or aging porcelain
- Building leaks, defects, or aging plumbing not caused by misuse
Tenant-caused damage
Damage, misuse, neglect, or excessive filth
- Burns, large holes, gouges, or broken tile
- Doors off hinges or missing blinds
- Pet stains, rips, or water damage from open windows
- Broken appliance parts caused by misuse
- Heavy grime or mold caused by neglected cleaning
- Improper, messy, or unfinished repairs
What can make damage chargeable?
Negligence: failing to take reasonable care to prevent damage.
Failure to warn: not reporting a problem—such as a leak or crack—before it causes additional damage.
Abuse or misuse: knowingly mistreating or misusing the property.
Accidents: unintentional incidents can still cause repairable damage beyond ordinary wear.
Need clarification?