Free guide for property teams and tenants

The tenant move-out checklist.

A smooth handover protects the security deposit and the relationship. Use this room-by-room checklist to leave the unit in documented, agreed condition — and to avoid the disputes that come from relying on memory.

1. Cleaning, room by room

  • Walls, doors, and trim wiped down; marks and scuffs removed where possible
  • Floors vacuumed and mopped; carpets professionally cleaned if required by the lease
  • Kitchen: oven, stovetop, range hood, and refrigerator degreased inside and out
  • Cabinets and drawers emptied and wiped; countertops sanitized
  • Bathroom: tub, shower, toilet, sink, tile, and grout scrubbed; fixtures polished
  • Windows, tracks, and blinds cleaned; mirrors streak-free
  • Baseboards, vents, light fixtures, and ceiling fans dusted
  • Balcony, patio, or storage areas swept and cleared
  • All trash and personal items removed from the unit

2. Repairs and touch-ups

  • Nail and screw holes filled and touched up per the lease terms
  • Burnt-out light bulbs replaced with the correct wattage
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries checked
  • HVAC filter replaced if it is the tenant's responsibility
  • Report any damage beyond normal wear so it is documented before handover
  • Do not attempt major repairs yourself — unauthorized work can cost more than the original issue

3. Keys, utilities, and handover

  • Return every key, fob, garage remote, and mailbox key issued at move-in
  • Provide a forwarding address for the deposit return
  • Cancel or transfer utilities and renters insurance out of the unit
  • Confirm the final walk-through appointment with the property manager
  • Photograph every room after cleaning, before handing over keys

4. Document the final condition

The single most disputed moment in a tenancy is deposit deduction. Both sides are protected when the unit's condition is photographed room by room at move-out and compared against the move-in record — not weeks later, from memory.

  • Photograph every room from the same angles used at move-in
  • Capture close-ups of anything you repaired, cleaned, or are flagging
  • Note the date and time on every photo — timestamps settle arguments
  • Have both parties review and acknowledge the same record

Run the walk-through from your phone.

Vestara Vault records every room with time-stamped photos, compares move-in against move-out side by side, and collects the tenant's sign-off — no app download needed.

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