The Move Out Cleaning Checklist Your Landlord Actually Uses
Most people lose $200-500 of their security deposit because they miss the same 5 things during move out.
Here's what property managers actually check — and what costs you money if you skip it:
1. Inside the oven & under burners — grease buildup is the #1 deduction. Pull the drip pans out. Clean the oven door glass.
2. Baseboards & door frames — scuff marks and dust lines are easy to miss. Landlords run a white glove along these.
3. Bathroom grout & caulking — if it's pink or black, that's mold. You can bleach it but replacement-level grime needs a pro.
4. Inside cabinets & drawers — crumbs and shelf liner residue. Every. Single. One.
5. Blinds & window tracks — dust stacks up here for years. Wipe every slat and vacuum the tracks.
If this list feels overwhelming — that's why we exist. SparkMove handles all of it for a flat $450, and you walk away with your full deposit.
