When you move out of a rental, the last clean is the one your landlord walks through. This checklist follows the same tasks our team works through on a Clensy move-out clean, room by room, so you can use it to clean the place yourself or to see what a professional move-out clean covers before you book one.
At the end there is a short section on what New Jersey's official renter guide says about getting your security deposit back, with a link to the source.
Before You Start
- Clean after the boxes are out. Empty rooms let you reach floors, closets, shelves and the insides of cabinets that furniture and boxes hide.
- Read your lease. Check for any move-out or cleaning terms, and for how and where you need to give notice and return keys.
- Work top to bottom. Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and shelves before you wipe counters, and do floors last so dust that falls gets picked up.
- Take dated photos. A photo of each room after you finish gives you your own record of the condition you left it in.
Kitchen Checklist
- Clean the inside and outside of the refrigerator (empty it first).
- Clean the inside and outside of the oven.
- Clean and disinfect the inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers, including shelves and handles.
- Clean the inside and outside of the microwave and any other appliances that stay with the unit.
- Wipe all countertops and the backsplash.
- Scrub and disinfect the sink and faucet.
- Wipe down baseboards, door frames and light switches.
- Sweep, vacuum and mop the floor thoroughly, including the edges and corners.
Bathroom Checklist
- Scrub and disinfect the toilet: inside, outside and behind it.
- Deep clean the shower and tub: remove soap scum and mildew and scrub the grout.
- Clean the inside and outside of all drawers, cabinets and vanities.
- Scrub and polish the sink, faucet and countertops.
- Clean mirrors and any glass shower doors.
- Dust and clean vents, fan covers and corners.
- Wipe baseboards and door trim.
- Sweep, vacuum and mop the floor thoroughly.
Bedrooms and Closets
- Clean inside closets, including shelving and the closet floor.
- Dust and wipe ceiling fans and light fixtures.
- Remove cobwebs and dust from ceiling corners.
- Clean interior window glass and wipe the window sills.
- Clean light switches, doors and outlet covers.
- Wipe baseboards and door trim.
- Sweep, vacuum and mop the floors thoroughly, and empty the trash.
Living Room, Hallways and Entry
- Dust and wipe all baseboards and molding.
- Clean interior window glass and wipe the window sills.
- Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners.
- Clean doors, handles and light switches.
- Dust and wipe ceiling fans and light fixtures.
- Clean inside any closets and shelving.
- Sweep, vacuum and mop the floors thoroughly, and take out the last of the trash.
The Last Walkthrough
Before you hand back the keys, walk every room once more with the lights on. Open each cabinet, drawer and closet to make sure it is empty, look behind doors and on top of the fridge, and check that nothing is left in the oven, the dishwasher or the bathroom vanity. Then take your final photos.
Getting Your Security Deposit Back in New Jersey
New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs publishes Truth in Renting, a guide to the rights and responsibilities of residential tenants and landlords. Its section on security deposits says, in summary:
- Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit, plus interest earned, less any deductions (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
- Deductions may include the cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear and any other money due to the landlord under the lease.
- The money is returned by personal delivery, registered mail or certified mail. If anything is deducted, an itemized list of the deductions must also be sent by registered or certified mail within 30 days of the end of the tenancy.
- If a tenant breaks the lease and leaves early without legal cause, the guide explains that the 30 days start when the unit is re-rented or the lease expires, whichever comes first.
- If a tenant is displaced by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation, the deposit must be returned within five business days, under the conditions the guide describes.
- If the deposit is not returned within 30 days, or the tenant disagrees with the deductions, the tenant can go to court, and the court may award double the amount wrongly withheld. The guide notes there is no State agency that handles security deposit disputes.
The guide also explains that the Security Deposit Law does not cover an owner-occupied two- or three-family home unless the tenant asks in writing for it to apply. This is a short summary, not legal advice. For the full rules and the exceptions, check the NJ Department of Community Affairs guide above, or the DCA's publications page, and talk to a lawyer about your own situation.
Booking a Move-Out Clean With Clensy
If you would rather hand the job off, our move-in and move-out cleaning covers every task on this list, and the inside of the fridge and oven is included. One-time move-out cleaning starts at $224.40 for a home of 800 sq ft or less and is $347.40 for 1,600 sq ft and $715.80 for 4,000 sq ft, for a home rated 5 or lower on our 1 to 10 condition scale. Homes that need more work cost more. See every size on our move-out cleaning cost guide, and the booking page shows your exact price before you confirm.
Our cleaners are background-checked, trained Clensy team members, and you do not need to be there: you can leave entry instructions or a lockbox code. If something was missed, tell us within 24 hours and we'll come back and fix it free. Ready to book? See your price and pick a date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a New Jersey landlord have to return a security deposit?
According to the NJ Department of Community Affairs Truth in Renting guide, within 30 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized list of any deductions. The guide gives five business days when a tenant is displaced by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation. Check the guide for the details and exceptions.
Does Clensy's move-out cleaning include the inside of the fridge and oven?
Yes. The inside and outside of the refrigerator and oven are included in move-in and move-out cleaning, along with the inside of cabinets and drawers.
Do I need to be home for the move-out cleaning?
No. You can give us entry instructions or a lockbox code when you book.
Should the home be empty before the cleaners arrive?
Yes, that is what the service is built for. Move-in and move-out cleaning is a top-to-bottom clean of an empty home, so book it for after your belongings are out.
How much does a move-out cleaning cost?
At Clensy it is $224.40 for 800 sq ft or less up to $715.80 for 4,000 sq ft, for a home rated 5 or lower on our 1 to 10 condition scale. You see your exact price on the booking page before you confirm.
