Moving is stressful enough without the added worry of losing your security deposit. For renters in Atlanta and across Georgia, the key to a smooth move-out and a full deposit return is leaving the property in the same—or better—condition than when you moved in. Most lease agreements require the property to be "broom clean," but many landlords have a much higher standard in mind.

To avoid disputes, a thorough move-out clean is your best defense. This checklist is designed specifically for Atlanta renters, covering every task required to meet landlord expectations. We'll also cover the crucial steps of documenting your work and understanding your rights under Georgia's security deposit laws.

The Golden Rule: Start with an Empty Space

Before you begin cleaning, ensure the property is completely empty of all personal belongings and trash. It's impossible to clean properly with boxes and furniture in the way. Work from top to bottom, back to front, saving the floors for last.

Room-by-Room Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen: The Most Scrutinized Area

• Refrigerator/Freezer: Remove all food. Clean and disinfect all interior surfaces, shelves, and drawers. Wipe down the exterior, including the top and handles.
• Oven & Stovetop: Clean the oven interior, removing all baked-on grease (use an oven cleaner if necessary). Clean the stovetop, control knobs, and hood vent filter.
• Dishwasher: Clean the interior, removing any food debris from the filter. Wipe down the exterior.
• Microwave: Clean and disinfect the interior and exterior.
• Cabinets & Drawers: Wipe out every cabinet, drawer, and pantry shelf. Remove all crumbs and liners.
• Countertops & Sink: Scrub and sanitize countertops, the sink, and the faucet. Remove any hard water stains.
• Floors: Thoroughly sweep and mop the floor, paying attention to corners and underneath appliances.

Bathrooms: Focus on Sanitization

• Shower & Tub: Scrub walls, floor, and fixtures to remove all soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains. Clean glass shower doors until they are streak-free.
• Toilet: Clean and disinfect the entire toilet, inside and out, including the base and the area behind it.
• Vanity, Sink & Mirror: Clean and sanitize the countertop and sink. Polish the mirror and faucet.
• Cabinets & Drawers: Wipe out all medicine cabinets and vanity drawers.
• Exhaust Fan: Dust the cover of the ventilation fan.
• Floors: Sweep and mop, ensuring grout lines are clean.

Bedrooms & Living Areas

• Walls & Baseboards: Spot clean any scuffs on walls. Wipe down all baseboards, door frames, and window sills.
• Closets: Wipe down all shelving, rods, and walls. The closet should be completely empty and clean.
• Windows: Clean interior windows and tracks.
• Fixtures: Dust all ceiling fans, light fixtures, and blinds.
• Floors: Vacuum all carpets thoroughly. If there are stains, consider a professional carpet cleaning. Sweep and mop all hard-surface floors.

General Tasks for the Entire Property

• Remove all nails, screws, and hooks from walls. Patch any small holes with spackle.
• Wipe down all light switches, outlet covers, and door handles.
• Sweep the front entryway, patio, or balcony.
• Ensure all trash has been removed from the property.

Protecting Your Deposit in Georgia: Documentation is Key

Cleaning thoroughly is only half the battle. You must document your work to protect yourself in case of a dispute. Equally important is understanding the legal timeline for security deposit returns in Georgia.

Georgia Security Deposit Timelines

Under Georgia law, a specific process governs the return of your security deposit.

Important Disclaimer: The following is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult with a legal professional for guidance on your specific situation.

• 3-Day Landlord Inspection: After you vacate the property, the landlord has three business days to inspect it for damages.
• 5-Day Tenant Review: If the landlord finds damages, they must provide you with a written list. You then have five business days to inspect the property and contest any of the listed damages.
• 30-Day Return Window: The landlord must return your full security deposit within 30 days of you vacating the property, unless they have a valid claim for damages.

How to Create "Proof-of-Clean" Photos

After you've finished cleaning, conduct your own final walkthrough and take detailed photos and videos. This documentation is your most powerful tool.

• Go Wide and Close: Take wide shots of each empty, clean room. Then, take close-ups of commonly disputed areas: inside the oven, the freezer, under sinks, and shower grout.
• Open Everything: Open and photograph the inside of every appliance, cabinet, and closet to show they are empty and clean.
• Use a Timestamp: If your camera app allows, turn on the timestamp feature. Alternatively, taking a photo of the front page of a current newspaper can help establish the date.
• Video Walkthrough: A slow, narrated video walkthrough where you open doors and drawers can be extremely compelling evidence.

A move-out clean is far more demanding than a standard weekly cleaning. It requires attention to detail and a significant amount of time and effort during an already busy moving period. If you're short on time or want to ensure the job is done to a professional standard, hiring a move-out cleaning service can be a wise investment that pays for itself with a full deposit return.