Move-out cleaning checklist (and the Rhode Island deposit rule)

What should a move-out cleaning checklist include?

Start when the home is empty. Work from the top down and from the back of the home to the front door. The checklist below is what our move-out cleaning covers.

Kitchen

• Wipe the inside of all cabinets and drawers
• Clean the inside of the oven, fridge and microwave
• Wipe the inside of the dishwasher
• Scrub the counters, backsplash, sink and stovetop
• Sweep and mop the floor

Bathrooms

• Scrub the toilet, tub, shower, grout and sink
• Wipe the inside of the vanity and medicine cabinet
• Clean mirrors and fixtures
• Mop the floor

Bedrooms, closets and living areas

• Wipe closet shelves and rods
• Wipe baseboards, door frames and light switches
• Wipe window sills and tracks
• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors

Last look

• Empty all trash
• Check the garage, basement and any storage space
• Take photos of every room

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Under R.I. Gen. Laws section 34-18-19, a landlord must deliver the deposit you are owed, with a written, itemized notice of any deductions, within 20 days after the later of: the end of the tenancy, delivery of possession or you giving the landlord a forwarding address. So give your landlord a forwarding address in writing when you hand over the keys.

Can a landlord deduct for cleaning?

The law lets a landlord deduct unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning expenses, reasonable trash disposal expenses and physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, all itemized in a written notice. If a landlord does not follow the rule, the statute says the tenant may recover the amount owed plus damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney fees. This is general information, not legal advice.

What photos should you take before handing back the keys?

Photos are your best proof of the condition you left. Take them after cleaning and before you return the keys.

• Each room from the doorway, with the date visible on your phone
• Inside the oven, fridge and cabinets
• Bathrooms, including the tub, toilet and floor
• Floors, carpets and walls, especially any spots you already pointed out at move-in
• Any existing damage, so it is clear it was there

Should you be there for the landlord walkthrough?

If your landlord offers a walkthrough, be there if you can. Go room by room together, take photos of anything you discuss and ask for any deductions in writing. Having a clean, empty home and photos from the day you left makes that conversation much easier.

Which spots do people miss in a move-out clean?

• Inside the oven and under the stovetop burners
• The tops of door frames and window tracks
• Inside the fridge and freezer, including shelves and drawers
• Behind and around the toilet
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Closet shelves, including the shelf above the rod
• Baseboards, especially in corners

Should you clean before you move in, too?

Yes, if you can. The last person cleaned to their own standard, and an empty home is the easiest time to get every cabinet, drawer and floor clean before your things go in. A move-in clean uses the same checklist and price as a move-out clean: from $205 for a 1-bedroom and about $335 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. Book it before the truck arrives.

Should you clean yourself or hire a move-out cleaner?

If you have time, a thorough clean takes longer than most people expect. A move-out clean takes about 80% longer than a standard clean for the same home. Hiring one saves a lot of work on the busiest day of your move. Prices are a flat $205 for a 1-bedroom, $245 for a 2-bedroom and about $335 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. A $50 deposit holds your date and comes off the bill. Keep your receipt. It shows you paid for professional cleaning.

When should you book your move-out clean?

After the movers leave and before your final walkthrough with the landlord. Book as soon as you know your move date. Put your key return date in the booking notes and we will confirm what works.

Quick questions

Will hiring a cleaner guarantee I get my deposit back?

No cleaner can promise what a landlord decides. A thorough clean, a receipt and photos of each room put you in the best position on the cleaning part of the deposit.

Should I clean before or after the movers?

After. Movers stir up dust and drop dirt, so the final clean should come when the home is empty.

Do you clean inside the oven and fridge?

Yes. For move-in and move-out cleans the price includes the inside of cabinets, drawers and appliances.