Move-Out Cleaning Checklist: Get Your Texas Deposit Back

Moving out of a rental in Texas? Your security deposit is at stake, and the condition you leave the property in directly determines how much you get back. Texas law gives landlords up to 30 days after you move out to return your deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions. A thorough move-out cleaning is the best way to ensure you get every dollar back.

Texas Security Deposit Law: What You Need to Know

Under Texas Property Code Section 92.101-92.109, your landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out, minus any legitimate deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Cleaning is one of the most common deduction categories. If your landlord hires a professional cleaner after you leave, they can deduct that cost from your deposit -- and professional cleaning rates charged to landlords are often higher than what you would pay directly.

The key distinction in Texas law is between "normal wear and tear" (which landlords cannot deduct for) and actual damage or excessive dirtiness. Scuffed floors from regular use are normal wear. A grease-covered oven is not. A thorough move-out cleaning ensures everything falls clearly into the "normal wear" category.

Kitchen Move-Out Cleaning

The kitchen is where landlords find the most cleaning-related issues. Do not skip any of these items:

• Clean inside the oven -- remove racks, soak if needed, scrub all surfaces
• Clean inside the refrigerator and freezer -- remove all food, wipe shelves and drawers
• Clean inside the dishwasher -- run empty with vinegar if available
• Clean inside the microwave
• Clean stovetop, drip pans, and range hood
• Wipe all countertops and backsplash
• Clean sink and faucet -- remove lime scale
• Wipe inside all cabinets and drawers -- remove shelf liner if you added any
• Clean cabinet fronts and handles
• Sweep and mop floor, including behind the refrigerator and stove
• Wipe light switches and outlets

Bathroom Move-Out Cleaning

• Scrub toilet bowl, base, tank, and behind the toilet
• Clean shower/tub -- scrub grout lines thoroughly
• Remove shower curtain (dispose if you provided it, clean if it came with the unit)
• Clean sink, faucet, and drain
• Clean mirror
• Wipe inside medicine cabinet and under-sink cabinet
• Clean exhaust fan cover (remove and wash if possible)
• Mop floor, paying attention to grout lines and corners
• Remove all personal items -- check behind toilet and in cabinet corners

Bedrooms and Living Areas

• Vacuum all carpets thoroughly -- consider renting a carpet cleaner for stains
• Mop all hard floors
• Clean all baseboards
• Wipe all window sills and tracks
• Clean windows (interior at minimum)
• Clean inside all closets -- shelves, rods, and floor
• Wipe ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
• Clean light switch plates and door handles
• Wipe doors and door frames
• Fill any nail holes with spackle and touch up paint if your lease requires it
• Check all outlets and switches are in working condition

Garage and Outdoor Areas

• Sweep garage floor
• Remove all personal items, including items on shelves and hooks
• Wipe garage shelving if provided by landlord
• Sweep patio or balcony
• Clean any outdoor storage areas
• Remove trash from outdoor bins

Final Walkthrough Checklist

Before you hand over the keys, do a final walkthrough and check these commonly overlooked areas:

• Inside the oven (landlords check this first)
• Top of the refrigerator
• Closet shelves -- especially top shelves
• Window tracks (dirt and dust accumulate here)
• Behind the toilet
• Baseboards in every room
• Inside the dishwasher
• Laundry connections area
• Utility closets and water heater area
• Air filter -- replace if dirty

Common Move-Out Mistakes

These are the mistakes that most commonly lead to deposit deductions in the Rio Grande Valley:

1. Skipping the oven interior. This is the single most common deduction. Landlords always check inside the oven.
2. Forgetting window tracks. Window tracks accumulate dirt and dead insects that are easy to overlook but obvious to inspectors.
3. Leaving items behind. Anything you leave behind may result in a cleaning and disposal charge.
4. Not cleaning closet shelves. Top closet shelves collect dust. Landlords wipe a finger across them during inspection.
5. Ignoring the garage. Even if you did not use the garage much, it needs to be swept and cleared.

Timeline: When to Start Cleaning

Do not leave move-out cleaning to the last day. Here is a recommended timeline:

• 2 weeks before move-out: Start packing and removing items from closets and storage
• 1 week before: Deep clean kitchen appliances and bathrooms while still having supplies
• 2-3 days before: Clean all rooms as furniture is removed
• Day of move-out: Final sweep and mop after all items are removed, final walkthrough

Professional Move-Out Cleaning vs. DIY

The cost of a professional move-out cleaning in the Brownsville area starts at around $150 for an apartment. Compare that to the potential loss of a $500 to $1,500 security deposit. Even if you plan to DIY most of the cleaning, consider hiring a professional for the kitchen and bathrooms -- these are the areas where landlords find the most issues and where professional results make the biggest difference.