Why move-out cleaning matters for your deposit
Cleaning is one of the most common reasons landlords deduct from a security deposit, and it is also the easiest to prevent. In Texas, a landlord can deduct for damages and charges the tenant is legally responsible for under the lease, but not for normal wear and tear. A dirty oven, a greasy range hood or soap scum in the shower is not wear and tear; it is a cleaning charge.
The goal of a move-out clean is simple: hand back a unit that looks the way your lease says it should, and leave nothing for the walk-through to write down. This checklist covers every room, in the order that works best for an empty home.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Your lease controls the details, so read its move-out section before you start.
How the Texas security deposit refund rule works
Under the Texas Property Code (Section 92.103), a landlord must refund the security deposit on or before the 30th day after the tenant surrenders the premises. If the landlord keeps any part of it, they must give you a written, itemized list of the deductions.
Two practical points that trip people up:
- Give a forwarding address in writing. Texas law does not require the landlord to return the deposit or send the itemized list until you provide a written forwarding address. Do it on or before move-out day and keep a copy.
- Check your lease for notice requirements. Many leases require written notice that you are moving out. Missing it can cost you, separately from cleaning.
If you have questions about your specific situation, the Texas State Law Library and local tenant resources publish plain-English guides, and a landlord-tenant attorney can advise on disputes.
Kitchen move-out checklist
The kitchen is where most cleaning deductions come from. Do it carefully:
- Empty, wipe and dry the inside of every cabinet and drawer, including crumbs in corners.
- Clean cabinet fronts and handles; degrease the ones near the stove.
- Clean the inside of the oven, racks and broiler drawer.
- Degrease the stovetop, drip pans or glass top, knobs and the range hood (including the filter).
- Empty, clean and dry the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers, shelves and door seals. Pull it out if you can and sweep behind it.
- Run the dishwasher empty; wipe the door, seals and filter area.
- Clean the microwave inside and out.
- Scrub the sink and faucet; clear the disposal.
- Wipe the backsplash, counters and light switches.
- Sweep and mop, including under the toe kicks.
Bathroom move-out checklist
- Scrub tub, shower walls and doors to remove soap scum and hard-water spots.
- Clean grout and caulk lines; note any mold or mildew that will not come out (report it rather than hide it).
- Clean the toilet inside, outside and around the base and hinges.
- Empty and wipe vanity drawers and cabinets.
- Clean the mirror, sink, faucet and countertop.
- Dust the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures.
- Wipe the towel bars, toilet-paper holder and door.
- Mop the floor, including behind the toilet.
Bedrooms, living areas and closets
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures (do these first so dust falls on floors you have not cleaned yet).
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors and light switches.
- Clean window sills and tracks; dust blinds.
- Empty closets fully and wipe the shelves and rods.
- Spot-clean marks on walls only if your paint allows it; test a hidden spot first.
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly, edges included. Check your lease: some require professional carpet cleaning with a receipt.
- Mop hard floors.
Don’t forget
- Replace burned-out light bulbs and the HVAC filter if your lease makes them your responsibility.
- Sweep the garage, patio or balcony and remove everything you own.
- Remove nails and hooks only if your lease says to; patching may be expected or may be the landlord’s job.
- Leave all keys, remotes, gate cards and mailbox keys as instructed.
What landlords look for at the walk-through
A walk-through is quick, and inspectors tend to check the same places. Spend your last hour on these:
| Area | What gets noticed | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Burnt-on spills, grease on the door glass | Clean inside, racks and door; let a degreaser sit before scrubbing |
| Range hood | Sticky film, clogged filter | Degrease the hood; soak the filter in hot soapy water |
| Refrigerator | Spills, odors, crumbs in drawers | Empty fully, wash drawers, leave the door ajar if the power will be off |
| Showers and tubs | Soap scum, hard-water spots, hair | Scrub surfaces, clean the drain cover, dry the glass |
| Toilets | Ring inside the bowl, grime at the base | Scrub the bowl; wipe the base, bolts and behind the tank |
| Cabinets and drawers | Crumbs, sticky shelves, left-behind items | Vacuum corners, wipe, leave doors closed |
| Floors | Dust bunnies along edges, spots under where furniture stood | Vacuum edges with a crevice tool, then mop |
| Windows and blinds | Dust and dead bugs in tracks | Vacuum tracks, wipe sills, dust blinds slat by slat |
Wear and tear vs. a cleaning charge
Faded paint, minor scuffs from furniture and carpet worn from normal walking are generally treated as wear and tear. Grease, grime, stains you caused and trash left behind are not. When in doubt, clean it, photograph it, and note it in writing. If you received a move-in condition form when you signed the lease, compare against it; anything already noted there should not be charged to you.
Take your own photos
Photograph each room from the doorway, plus close-ups of the oven, fridge, bathrooms and any existing damage, after cleaning is done. Make sure the files are dated. If a deduction is disputed later, those photos are your best evidence.
Move-out day timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 weeks before | Read the lease move-out section. Give written notice if required. Book your cleaning. |
| 1 week before | Request a pre-move-out inspection if your landlord offers one. Start emptying cabinets you no longer need. |
| Movers’ day | Get everything out first. Cleaning an empty unit is faster and more thorough. |
| Cleaning day | Clean top to bottom, kitchen and bathrooms first. Take dated photos of every room when finished. |
| Key return | Hand in keys and your written forwarding address. Keep copies of both. |
| Within 30 days | Expect your refund or an itemized list of deductions. |
DIY or hire a move-out cleaning service?
Doing it yourself is entirely possible, but it usually takes longer than people expect, and it lands at the most exhausting point of a move. Hiring makes sense when your time is worth more than the cleaning cost, when you are moving long-distance, or when the deposit is large enough that a single deduction would cost more than the clean.
Our move-in/move-out cleaning follows this checklist, including inside empty cabinets and drawers. Flat rates start at $239 for a 1-bedroom; a 3-bed, 2-bath home under 2,500 sq ft is $379. Inside the oven and fridge are add-ons ($35 each). Apartments are covered too; see apartment cleaning.
Every clean comes with our 24-hour re-clean guarantee. If you or your landlord spot something we missed, tell us within 24 hours and we will come back and fix it at no charge. Realtors and property managers turning over units can use make-ready cleaning. Ready to book? Pick a date on our booking page and get $25 off when you book online.
FAQ
How long does a Texas landlord have to return a security deposit?
Under Texas Property Code Section 92.103, the landlord must refund the deposit on or before the 30th day after you surrender the premises. You need to give a written forwarding address for the landlord to be obligated to send it.
Can a landlord charge for cleaning in Texas?
A landlord can deduct for charges you are responsible for under the lease, but not for normal wear and tear. Any deductions must be itemized in writing.
How much does a move-out cleaning cost?
Our move-out cleaning starts at $239 for a 1-bedroom. A typical 3-bed, 2-bath home under 2,500 sq ft is $379.
Should I clean before or after the movers come?
After. An empty home can be cleaned faster and more completely, including inside cabinets, closets and behind where furniture stood.