Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for California Renters

Moving out of a Bay Area rental is stressful enough without losing part of your security deposit to a cleaning charge. The good news: cleaning deductions are among the easiest to prevent. This checklist covers every room, and the section on California law explains what a landlord can and cannot charge you for.

What California law says about cleaning deductions

Under California Civil Code §1950.5, a landlord may deduct from the deposit the cost of cleaning needed to return the unit to the same level of cleanliness it had when you moved in. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged. Within 21 days after you move out, the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement explaining any deductions.

You also have the right to ask for a pre-move-out inspection. The landlord walks through the unit up to two weeks before you leave and lists what needs attention, which gives you time to fix it yourself. If you have photos from move-in day, keep them handy — they are your best evidence of the unit's original condition.

Before you start

• Move everything out first. Cleaning around boxes always misses spots.
• Gather supplies: microfiber cloths, degreaser, bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, a scrub brush, a vacuum and a mop.
• Work top to bottom in each room — dust falls, so floors are always last.
• Take dated photos of every room when you finish.

Kitchen

• Inside and outside of the refrigerator, including shelves, drawers and door seals. Unplug only if your lease allows it, and leave the door propped open.
• Inside the oven, racks and the oven door glass.
• Stovetop, burner grates, drip pans and the range hood filter.
• Inside the microwave and dishwasher (check and clean the dishwasher filter).
• Inside every cabinet and drawer — crumbs left in drawers are a classic deduction.
• Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet, including hard-water spots.
• Cabinet fronts and handles, where grease builds up.

Bathrooms

• Shower and tub: soap scum, grout, glass doors and the track.
• Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it.
• Sink, faucet, mirror and medicine cabinet (inside too).
• Vanity drawers and cabinets.
• Exhaust fan cover — usually much dustier than it looks.
• Floor, paying attention to corners and behind the door.

Bedrooms and living areas

• Closets: shelves, rods and the closet floor.
• Baseboards, door frames and doors.
• Light switches, outlet covers and door handles.
• Window sills, window tracks and blinds.
• Ceiling fans and light fixtures.
• Vacuum carpets thoroughly; mop hard floors.

Easy-to-forget spots

• Laundry area: lint trap, behind and under the machines if accessible.
• Wall scuffs — test gently on a hidden spot first, and never scrub flat paint hard.
• Patio, balcony and garage, if they are part of your unit.
• Light bulbs: replace any that burned out during your stay.
• Trash: remove everything, including from bins outside.

DIY or professional move-out cleaning?

A thorough DIY move-out cleaning of an average apartment takes most people a full day, often after a long day of moving. Hiring professionals makes sense when you are short on time, the unit needs more than a light clean, or the deposit is large enough that a deduction would cost more than the cleaning. Our move-in and move-out cleaning service follows a checklist built for exactly this inspection, and many clients schedule it for the day after the movers leave.

Moving into a new place? A move-in cleaning before your furniture arrives is the only time every surface is easy to reach. See what a deep cleaning includes.