Moving can be stressful in and of itself, but the last thing anyone wants is to lose part of their security deposit due to an unexpected deduction. Over my years in the residential cleaning business in Tampa, I have seen that the majority of tenants honestly believe they have left their property in excellent condition before the landlord points out the things they overlooked. When you move in and out of a property, these types of jobs require care and detail that far exceeds that of general housekeeping. For this reason, even families who keep their homes very clean will often have money deducted from their security deposit after being inspected. If you have ever searched for a reputable cleaning services Tampa, you will understand this. Cleaning your home before you leave is an entirely different kind of project than just cleaning your home for daily upkeep.
Understanding Why Landlords Charge Cleaning Fees
The Difference Between “Clean” and “Move-Out Clean”
When it comes to Clearing, many people assume that weekly cleanings are sufficient enough to meet the Move-Out Clean checklist provided by their landlord (or property management company). Unfortunately, that’s not accurate. Landlords want to see that the apartment is being turned-in in a ‘like new’ state, which requires cleaning areas that many tenants never pay attention to, such as the top frame on the refrigerator, sides of the oven door, corners behind furniture, back of cabinets, and the inside tracks of drawers, etc. I once assisted a client who completed all of the Major Cleaning Tasks required; however, unfortunately, he lost $350 at final inspection for grease marks surrounding the knobs on his stove as well as having dust on the wall behind his entertainment console table. While these things may seem minor, they can often lead to additional charges during the Final Inspection.
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What Landlords Expect to Look Perfect
Although all landlords are unique in their own way, they do have similar expectations regarding rental properties. The appliances must be shiny both on the inside and outside; the bathroom fixtures must be clean with no soap scum or limescale; the walls must have no fingerprints or scuff marks; the floors should be clean, meaning not sticky or dusty; baseboards, window frames, cabinet interiors, refrigerator door seals, etc., are all areas that landlords will inspect because landlords know that tenants typically do not clean them. Today, many property managers utilize high-definition (HD) cameras to capture photographic evidence of the condition of the unit, which allows them to identify even the smallest of cosmetic defects.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make Before Moving Out
Cleaning in the Wrong Order
Most tenants clean in whatever order feels convenient — and that usually results in dust falling back onto freshly cleaned floors. Professionals always work from top to bottom, because ceiling fans, vents, shelves, windowsills and baseboards all shed dust that collects on the floor later. The most common mistake I see is tenants mopping twice or even three times simply because they cleaned surfaces after the floor.
Ignoring “Dirt Traps”
Every home has areas that are often overlooked and tend to accumulate dirt and grime, even if you consistently clean. Dirty areas may include: behind toilets, corner cabinets, sliding door tracks, the walls where kitchen appliances are placed, or the walls where a trash can has been for years. Landlords usually look at these places when doing inspections for potential damages. Tenants who cleaned everything else thoroughly but neglected to clean their switches got either charged or didn’t get their security deposit back for something that was as minor as a little dust behind the switch plates.
Using Too Much Cleaning Product
Another mistake is assuming that stronger scents or larger amounts of product equal better results. The reality is the opposite: overused cleaner leaves sticky residue that attracts dirt, especially on vinyl and tile floors. Many Tampa tenants mop with heavy-scented product thinking it will impress the landlord, but instead the floor becomes tacky and the landlord sees it as “not properly cleaned.”
Forgetting About Odors
Landlords will detect odors, as they will always be able to identify smells associated with a visually clean environment; therefore, a visually nice home may have a musty smell. The following items will contain hidden/unwanted odors: a damp laundry machine, dirty trash cans, old dog beds, empty closets and cabinets, and drain pipes that are connected to a faulty drain line. I helped one landlord who charged a previous tenant $150 for having a mild laundry room odor due to a wet mop in the corner, which the tenant had no idea was causing the odor.
A Practical Move-Out Cleaning Guide to Avoid Fees
Kitchens: The Most Inspected Room
The kitchen is where most deductions happen. During professional cleanings, we always start with appliances because they hold the majority of hidden grime. The inside of the oven, the stove frame, the glass panel, the microwave ceiling, and the rubber seals of the fridge are all areas where grease hides even when a kitchen looks fairly clean. Cabinets must be fully emptied and wiped, including the corners where crumbs accumulate. Stainless sinks often need descaling and polishing, because landlords check for mineral buildup and stains.
Bathrooms: Expected to Look “Hotel Fresh”
Bathroom inspections are strict. Landlords check for soap scum on shower glass, discoloration on grout, dust behind the toilet, and water stains around faucets. They also look closely at caulk lines because mold tends to hide there. Many tenants believe that quickly wiping the bathroom is enough, but landlords expect a hotel-level shine – a completely different standard.
Floors: The Silent Deposit Killer
The Floor is not only a large area, but many people do not realize that it has been a silent killer of deposits by tenants. Tenants think they have mopped the floors often. However, there will be a large amount of dirt that is caught between baseboards and walls. Tenants may have a sticky residue from using products that have been poured on their floor, and pet hair and dust may be present in the corner of each room or behind large appliances. Because of all of the above mentioned reasons, a landlord may charge for cleaning the floors and some tenants may not know why. There are tenants who have been shocked to discover that dirt under the refrigerator is the cause of the landlord fails.
Walls and Baseboards
Landlords are able to determine the level of cleaning a tenant did by looking at the condition of their walls. Scuff marks, fingerprints and dulling paint spots begin accumulating immediately upon moving in and are generally not removed through light cleaning, which is why walls are one way in which landlords gauge how well tenants have cleaned their apartments. Baseboards tend to gather dust and pet hair as well as accumulated grime, and if they are gray instead of white when a tenant moves out, this indicates to most landlords that they have not appropriately cleaned their baseboards.
Windows and Door Tracks
Window tracks are one of the first areas that landlords inspect because they catch dirt easily and are almost always forgotten. Even a small amount of sand or dust in the slider tracks can result in additional cleaning charges. The same goes for door handles, blinds, and windowsills, which often have fingerprints or dust.
When Hiring a Professional Makes Sense
Professional cleaning is a valuable service for households that have pets, or for families who do not have time to clean because they are busy working for 8-10 hours a day. It is also useful for homes that do not get regular deep cleaning of floors and bathrooms. A move out cleaning of an apartment typically requires between 5 and 9 hours of labor if done correctly. Because of this, many working families find that hiring outside cleaning services is a more attractive option for them. In addition, having a documented service with receipt, helps give the landlord or property owner increased confidence in the condition of their rental home, and it provides the tenant with a record of the cleaning should a dispute arise over the return of their security deposit. If your home has a significant amount of dirt buildup, especially around the stove, fridge and/or bathroom sinks, the use of professional cleaning equipment can reduce the time it takes to clean these areas by several hours.
My Personal Move-Out Advice After Years in the Field
When tenants prepare for a move-out well in advance of moving out date it is typically the simplest. Preparation includes many simple steps such as taking pictures both prior to and following cleaning, cleaning all appliances prior to the movers arriving, using only a minimal amount of cleaning products so as to eliminate any residue left over and vacuuming as opposed to sweeping out of all floors. The best thing about preparing properly for a move out to ensure proper cleaning products, such as removing refrigerator drawers before clean out, and also cleaning ceiling fans before the last-minute clean will leave no dust or debris in your new place. The best thing to remember when planning a move out day is that being in a rush means you will miss places you could have captured during your planning time.
Final Thoughts
A clean area can be achieved by following the tenant’s perspective of the landlord to views cleanliness of the property as well as using the appropriate techniques to ensure that every aspect of an apartment has been cleaned. From my years of cleaning residential properties throughout Tampa, I learned that the tenants who are aware of how the landlords rate their property for cleanliness tend to receive most if not all of their security deposits back. Therefore, it is critical to understand that cleaning a rental property is not just about having a list of what needs to be done but is actually a process to prepare a home for the next resident. Also, if you choose to perform all the cleaning on your own, I’ll help you every step of the way to make your move out a more seamless and less overwhelming experience.
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Hey everyone, I’m Khrystyna! I’ve got experience in all sorts of cleaning, which I gained at Wow Now Cleaning. Now I’m sharing it with you all! I’d appreciate any comments or feedback on my tips, so feel free to write!
8 Comments
Just finished reading this guide and now I understand why my landlord kept $150 from my last move-out. I had no idea they checked inside cabinet hinges and vent covers!
Yes, landlords often check spots most people don’t think about daily. If you ever need help preparing your next place before moving out, we’re here to make sure every tiny detail is covered.
Do you think vinegar-based products are enough for bathroom buildup? I always try to clean everything myself, but hard water stains seem impossible.
Vinegar works for light maintenance, but for real move-out cleaning it’s usually not strong enough. Hard water stains often require professional-grade descalers. If you want, we can recommend safe products or handle the tough areas for you.
This is super helpful! I’m moving out next month and was stressing over the deposit. Quick question: can I book cleaning even if I’m not fully moved out yet?
Absolutely – you can book in advance. We recommend scheduling when the apartment is empty, but if you’re still packing, we’ll work around your items. Just let us know your timeline and we’ll organize everything smoothly.
Loved the part about floors. My old apartment always looked clean until I moved the couch… and then it looked like I hadn’t cleaned in years.
We totally get you! Furniture hides so much more than people expect. That’s why move-out cleaning is always done after the space is empty – only then you can see every hidden spot. Glad the article was helpful!