An End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist for Renters (2025) | The Listing Team

An End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist for Renters (2025)

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By Scott Lehr · The Listing Team at RESF
Updated August 25, 2025

Don’t lose your deposit over small misses. Use this simple, room-by-room checklist to leave your rental spotless—and move on to what’s next with confidence.

Why a Checklist Matters

Most lease agreements require a “broom-clean” condition at move-out. A written checklist helps you document your work, stay organized, and avoid last-minute stress. Pro tip: snap before & after photos of every room.

Quick Move-Out Timeline

30–14 days out: Declutter, schedule carpet/upholstery or grout cleaning if needed, gather supplies.
7 days out: Deep clean kitchen and bathrooms, patch small nail holes, replace burned-out bulbs.
48 hours out: Do floors, dust, wipe surfaces, take trash/recycling, final walkthrough with photos.

Kitchen: High-Impact Areas

Appliances: clean inside/out (oven racks, stovetop burners, microwave turntable, fridge shelves & gasket).
Cabinets & drawers: empty, vacuum crumbs, wipe, check for sticky spots and liner residue.
Sink & disposal: scrub basin, sanitize drain, run ice & citrus through disposal for odor.
Counters & backsplash: degrease, dry, polish where applicable.
Floors: sweep, mop, and edge along baseboards.

Bathrooms: Make It Shine

Toilet (base & behind), tub/shower walls & doors, faucet aerators, grout & caulk lines.
Mirrors & glass: streak-free clean.
Vanity: empty, wipe drawers & handles, disinfect surfaces.
Exhaust fan cover dusted and wiped.

Living Areas & Bedrooms

Dust top-down (ceiling fans, vents, blinds, window sills, ledges, baseboards).
Walls & doors: remove scuffs, patch small holes, wipe switches & handles.
Closets: remove hangers, patch holes, vacuum/sweep shelves & floors.
Windows: clean interior glass; wipe tracks and locks.

Floors: Last Step Wins

Carpet: vacuum slowly (edges & corners); spot-treat if needed.
Tile/Vinyl/Wood: sweep and wet-mop; don’t leave residue.
Entry mats: shake out or vacuum.

Entry, Patio, Garage (If Applicable)

Front door & hardware wiped; cobwebs cleared.
Patio/balcony swept; railings wiped; any stains treated.
Garage: remove personal items, sweep, dispose of chemicals properly.

Pro Tip: Bag loose hardware (shelf pins, screws, remote controls) and label it. Place near the kitchen counter for the final walk-through.

Documentation & Handover

Take timestamped photos of each room and any pre-existing wear.
Return all keys, fobs, gate remotes together.
Provide your forwarding address for the deposit and any final bills.

Download a Printable Checklist

Grab a one-page version you can mark up as you go: Download the End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist

What’s Next? Rent or Buy—We’ll Help.

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Local SEO Tip-Ins (For Owners)

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