Move-out cleaning checklist: getting your Arizona deposit back

Moving out of an Arizona rental is stressful enough without losing part of your security deposit to cleaning charges. This checklist covers every room, the spots landlords and property managers check first, and a few Arizona-specific problem areas: dust in window tracks, hard water on glass, and the pool-and-patio grime that builds up in desert homes.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your lease and Arizona law control your rights.

What Arizona law says about deposits (briefly)

Arizona's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act covers security deposits in A.R.S. 33-1321. In general, after your tenancy ends and you've handed back possession, your landlord has 14 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, to return your deposit and/or provide an itemized list of deductions. Deductions are generally for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Provide a forwarding address in writing, and keep copies of everything.

What does that mean for cleaning? A home that's clean and in good condition leaves little room for disputed deductions.

Before you start

• Find your move-in inspection report and photos. The goal is to return the home to that condition, minus normal wear and tear.
• Read your lease for specific move-out requirements (carpet cleaning, for example).
• Move everything out first. Cleaning an empty home is faster and more thorough.
• Keep the water and power on until the clean is finished.

Kitchen checklist

• Inside the oven, including racks and the oven door glass
• Stovetop, burner grates or drip pans, and knobs
• Range hood and filter (grease builds up here)
• Inside the fridge and freezer: remove shelves and drawers, wipe, and dry. Leave the door ajar if the power will be off
• Inside and outside the microwave and dishwasher
• Inside every cabinet and drawer, plus cabinet fronts and handles
• Countertops, backsplash, and sink, including mineral spots around the faucet
• Floors, including under the fridge and stove if you can move them safely

Bathroom checklist

• Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
• Tub, shower walls, and shower glass. Arizona's hard water leaves white film; see our hard water guide
• Faucets and showerheads (descale if needed)
• Inside vanities, drawers, and medicine cabinets
• Mirrors, light fixtures, and exhaust fan cover
• Grout lines and caulk
• Floors and baseboards

Bedrooms, living areas, and closets

• Baseboards, door frames, doors, and light switches
• Closet shelves and rods
• Ceiling fans (dust them before you vacuum)
• Blinds and window sills
• Nail holes and wall marks: check your lease before patching or painting
• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors

Arizona trouble spots landlords notice

Window and sliding-door tracks

Desert dust collects in tracks all year, and monsoon storms pack it in. Vacuum loose dust with a crevice tool, then wipe with a damp cloth or an old toothbrush.

Ceiling fans and air vents

Fans run nonstop in summer and collect a thick layer of dust. Use an old pillowcase to slide over each blade so dust falls inside instead of on the floor.

Hard water on glass and fixtures

White spots on shower glass and faucets make a bathroom look dirty even when it isn't. Treat them early so you're not scrubbing on move-out day.

Patio, garage, and pool areas

Check your lease. Many require the garage swept and the patio cleared of debris. Our move clean offers a garage sweep add-on.

Document everything

1. Take date-stamped photos and video of every room after cleaning, including inside appliances and cabinets.
2. Keep receipts for professional cleaning.
3. Return all keys, remotes, and gate cards, and get confirmation in writing.
4. Give your forwarding address in writing.

DIY or professional move-out clean?

A thorough DIY move-out clean of a 3-bedroom home can take most of a day, right when you're also moving. A professional move-out clean is priced for an empty home and covers inside appliances, cabinets, drawers, vanities, closets, sills, tracks, and blinds. No cleaner can guarantee a landlord's decision, but a professional clean covers the cleaning side of the walk-through.

Sonoran Gleam move-in/move-out cleans start at $670 for a typical 3-bedroom home, with smaller units priced by bedrooms and bathrooms. See local pages for Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, Marana, and Buckeye.

Frequently asked questions