The move-out checklist property managers actually use

Security deposits in Charlotte average between $1,200 and $1,800, and cleaning charges are the most common deduction. A few years ago we asked a dozen local property managers to share their move-out inspection sheets. The same items showed up again and again, and most of them are not the things renters expect.

What inspectors look at first

Inspectors are busy. Most walk in, head straight to the kitchen, open the oven and the fridge, and form an opinion in about ninety seconds. If those two appliances are spotless, the rest of the inspection tends to go smoothly. If there is a pizza-shaped stain on the oven floor, they start looking harder at everything else.

The five most expensive spots

• Inside the oven. Deductions of $75 to $150 are common for baked-on grease.
• Inside the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers and the rubber door seals.
• Bathroom grout and caulk around tubs. Mildew often reads as damage rather than dirt.
• Walls near light switches and door handles. Fingerprint grime is surprisingly visible in empty rooms.
• Window tracks and blinds. Dust and dead insects in tracks get photographed for the file.

Kitchen checklist

• Empty and wipe every cabinet and drawer, including the top edges.
• Degrease the range hood and clean or replace the filter.
• Pull the stove forward if it is on wheels and clean the floor and sides.
• Run the dishwasher empty with a cleaning tablet and wipe the door edges.
• Descale the sink and faucet so they shine.

Bathroom checklist

• Scrub grout and treat any mildew spots with a peroxide cleaner.
• Clean inside the vanity, medicine cabinet and under the sink.
• Remove hard water spots from shower glass and fixtures.
• Wipe the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures.
• Clean the toilet base and the floor behind it.

An empty room hides nothing. Every scuff and cobweb you stopped noticing becomes visible the moment the sofa leaves.

Throughout the home

Wipe baseboards, doors and door frames in every room. Spot-clean walls with a damp melamine sponge, testing in a closet first because some paints dull easily. Vacuum closet floors and wipe shelves. Clean light switch plates and outlet covers. Finally, vacuum carpets thoroughly and mop hard floors on your way out the door.

Protect yourself with photos

Take timestamped photos of every room, every appliance interior and every bathroom once the cleaning is done. Our crews do this automatically and email the report to you. If a deduction appears later, a clear photo of a spotless oven is very hard to argue with.

Timing matters

Schedule your clean after the movers leave and before you return the keys. Utilities should still be on, since we need water and lights. At the end of the month, weekend slots fill quickly across Charlotte, so book one to two weeks ahead if you can. If your lease end date shifts, we reschedule free.