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Move-Out Prep: Cleaning, Keys, and Deposits

Reading Time: 1 min read

The Real Talk

1 min read

Moving out? Love to watch you go, but we hate to see you leave behind a mess that costs you money. We’ve processed thousands of move-outs, and the difference between tenants who get their full deposit back and those who don’t usually comes down to preparation, not luck. This final lesson helps you finish strong, protect your deposit, and leave your unit the way you found it–or better.

Do This Now

  • Schedule your move-out walkthrough (if offered) and confirm your move-out date/time.
  • Take photos/video of every room after cleaning (timestamped if possible).
  • Replace cheap fixes: light bulbs, HVAC filter, drip pans, smoke alarm batteries (if tenant-responsible).
  • Return all keys/fobs exactly as required and keep proof.
  • Provide your forwarding address in writing.

What You’ll Learn

  • Cleaning standards that meet inspection requirements
  • Key return procedures and timing
  • Common deposit deductions and how to avoid them
  • Final walkthrough best practices
Ver video en español | Watch in Spanish
Want to just read instead of watch? Short script detailed here…

Move-Out Preparation: Cleaning, Keys, and Deposits

Moving out happens fast. And if you’re expecting your full security deposit back, the last thing you want is a surprise bill for carpet cleaning, wall touch-ups, or key replacement.

Here’s what we’ve learned from processing thousands of move-outs: the difference between tenants who get their money back and those who don’t isn’t luck. It’s preparation.

Your deposit isn’t the property’s money. It’s your money, held in trust.
But getting it back means meeting specific standards, not just “good enough” cleaning.

How you leave matters as much as how you lived.
Time to finish strong.

Leave right.
Get paid.

TenantREADY by FusionTriage can custom-build every block in your tenant support plan from the first day to the last day.

TenantREADY. Ready Tenants. Less Chaos.
Reach out today!

Why This Matters

Your security deposit isn’t free money for the property–it’s your money, held in trust. But getting it back requires meeting specific standards, not just “good enough” cleaning. We’ve seen tenants lose hundreds of dollars over issues that would’ve taken an hour and twenty bucks to fix.

Most common deposit deductions
  • Cleaning (kitchen/bath, inside appliances)
  • Trash left behind
  • Hole patches/paint touch-up beyond normal wear
  • Carpet stains/pet odor
  • Missing keys/fobs
Want to see what “next-level” TenantREADY support looks like?

Call Rebecca (629-240-9320) and say “Clarity Commons demo.” We’ll walk through how a resident gets routed to the right next step in under a minute.

The Bottom Line

Moving out is when deposits are won or lost. Preparation beats luck. A clean, complete move-out protects your deposit and prevents follow-up charges. Take photos, return keys properly, schedule a final walk-thru, and leave nothing behind. Finish strong.

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