Move-Out and Move-In Cleaning Checklist

Move-out and move-in cleaning checklist, room by room

Kitchen

• Inside and outside of all cabinets
• Appliance fronts, and microwave inside and out (inside the oven and fridge available as extras)
• Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet wiped down
• Floors vacuumed and mopped

Bathrooms

• Toilets cleaned
• Showers, tubs and sinks cleaned, with fixtures detailed and grout cleaned (within limits)
• Mirrors and fixtures wiped down
• Inside and outside of cabinets
• Floors vacuumed and mopped

Bedrooms and living areas

• Baseboards, window trim and sills degreased
• Light fixtures and fans degreased
• Floors vacuumed and mopped

Throughout the home

• Switch plates and doorknobs cleaned
• Vents degreased

Interior windows, wet-wiped blinds and the inside of the oven and fridge can be added when you book.

How much does a move-out cleaning cost?

With Mansfield Services, a move-in or move-out clean usually costs about $600 to $1,050. For comparison, our recurring cleanings usually run about $200 to $350 per visit. The final price depends on the size and condition of the home, so call or text for a free estimate.

Move-out clean vs. deep clean: what’s the difference?

A deep clean is done in a lived-in home, so it works around furniture and belongings. A move-out clean is done once the home is empty, which means the inside of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be cleaned too. See what a deep clean includes.

Do you have to deep clean before moving out?

Not by law in Vermont, but your lease may require the unit back clean, and an end-of-lease clean is the easiest way to avoid a deposit dispute.

Under 9 V.S.A. § 4461, a landlord can keep part of a deposit for unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, removing things a tenant left behind, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. The landlord has 14 days from learning you’ve moved out (or from your move-out date, if you gave notice of it) to return the deposit with an itemized list of anything kept, or 60 days for a seasonal rental. A landlord who misses that deadline loses the right to keep any of it, and one who willfully withholds it can owe double.

This is general information, not legal advice.

When should you schedule a move-out or move-in clean?

• Move-out: after the movers are done and the home is empty, and before you hand back the keys or do the final walk-through with your landlord or buyer.
• Move-in: before your furniture arrives, so the inside of the cabinets can be cleaned while they’re empty.
• Keep the water and power on until the cleaning is finished.

Frequently asked questions

What does a move-out cleaning include?

Everything in a deep clean, plus the inside of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets once the home is empty. The inside of the oven and fridge can be added as extras.

How much is a move-out cleaning?

With Mansfield Services, a move-out clean usually costs about $600 to $1,050. Recurring cleanings usually run about $200 to $350 per visit, so call or text for a free estimate on your home.

Is a move-in cleaning different from a move-out cleaning?

No. It’s the same checklist. The only difference is timing: a move-in clean happens before you bring your things in, and a move-out clean happens after you’ve taken them out.

Does Vermont require a professional cleaning to get a deposit back?

No. Vermont law lets a landlord keep part of a deposit for unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, abandoned items and damage beyond normal wear and tear, and the deposit must be returned within 14 days of the landlord learning you’ve moved out (60 days for a seasonal rental). Check your lease for any cleaning requirements.

Related guides

• What a deep clean includes
• Weekly, biweekly or monthly cleaning
• How much house cleaning costs
• Our house cleaning checklists

Sources

• Vermont Statutes, 9 V.S.A. § 4461: Security deposits