Clean the empty unit room by room: inside appliances, cabinets and closets, bathrooms, floors, baseboards, walls, fixtures and windows. Then photograph everything. Georgia law generally requires landlords to inspect within a few days of move-out and return the deposit, or an itemized list of deductions, within one month. Normal wear and tear isn't a lawful deduction.
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Moving out of a rental is stressful enough without worrying about your security deposit. A thorough move-out clean won't fix damage, but it does remove one of the most common reasons landlords hold back money: a unit left dirty. This guide gives you a practical room-by-room checklist, explains the basics of how security deposits work in Georgia, and covers how to document the unit so you have a record if there's a dispute.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your lease and your specific situation matter, so read your lease carefully and contact a lawyer or legal aid organization if you have a serious dispute.
Start with your lease
Before you clean, reread your lease and any move-out instructions from your landlord or property manager. Some leases require professional carpet cleaning, specific cleaning of appliances, or a receipt showing the unit was professionally cleaned. Apartment communities around Atlanta often send a move-out checklist; if yours did, use it as your primary guide and treat the list below as a backup.
Also find your move-in inspection report or photos. Georgia law generally requires landlords to give tenants a written list of existing damage before the tenant takes possession and lets the tenant review it. That list is your baseline for what was already there. Note that some of these requirements may not apply to certain small landlords, so check your paperwork.
Room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist
Kitchen
- Empty, clean and dry the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers, shelves and door seals
- Clean the inside of the oven, the broiler drawer and the stovetop, including under burner grates or drip pans
- Wipe the range hood and replace or clean the filter if accessible
- Clean the microwave inside and out
- Wipe the inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
- Scrub the sink and faucet; run the disposal with water to clear debris
- Wipe counters, backsplash and the dishwasher exterior and door edges
Bathrooms
- Scrub the toilet, including the base, behind it and under the seat
- Remove soap scum and mildew from the tub, shower walls, glass doors and tracks
- Clean the sink, faucet, mirror and medicine cabinet inside and out
- Wipe vanity cabinets and drawers inside and out
- Dust exhaust fan covers and light fixtures
Bedrooms and living areas
- Empty and wipe closets, including shelves and rods
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds and window sills
- Spot-clean marks on walls if your paint holds up to gentle cleaning; test a hidden spot first
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors and light switches
- Clean window tracks, which collect a lot of pollen and dust in Atlanta
Floors
- Vacuum all carpet thoroughly, including edges and closets
- Sweep and mop hard floors, paying attention to corners and under where appliances or furniture stood
- Address red clay stains on carpet early; set-in stains may need professional carpet cleaning
Everything else
- Remove all personal items, trash and anything left in storage areas, balconies or the garage
- Sweep patios, porches and balconies
- Replace burned-out bulbs if your lease requires it
- Return all keys, fobs, garage remotes and parking passes as instructed
Document the condition
Once the unit is clean and empty, take date-stamped photos and video of every room, including inside appliances, cabinets and closets. Capture close-ups of any existing damage you noted at move-in. Keep copies of cleaning receipts, the move-in report, your lease and any emails with your landlord. If you can, attend the move-out inspection in person.
How Georgia security deposits generally work
Georgia's security deposit rules are in the Official Code of Georgia, Title 44, Chapter 7. A few key points:
- Move-out inspection. Landlords are generally required to inspect the unit within a few business days after the tenant moves out and provide a list of any damage they believe the tenant caused. Tenants generally have the right to inspect the unit and respond in writing if they disagree.
- Return deadline. Landlords generally must return the deposit, or provide a written statement listing the reasons for keeping any part of it, within one month after the lease ends or the unit is surrendered, whichever comes last.
- Normal wear and tear. Landlords can't lawfully deduct for normal wear and tear from ordinary use, such as minor scuffs or carpet that has worn with age. Dirt, stains and damage beyond normal use are a different matter.
- Forwarding address. Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing so the deposit or statement reaches you.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs publishes the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook, which explains these rules in plain language. It's a good place to check the details for your situation.
Should you hire a move-out cleaner?
A professional move-out clean can make sense if you're short on time, your lease requires a receipt, or the unit needs more work than you can handle while packing. Book early: the end of the month and the summer moving season are busy, and many leases in Atlanta end at the same time. Tell the company the unit's size, number of bathrooms, whether it will be empty, and whether you need the inside of the oven and fridge cleaned. Schedule the clean after your movers leave, but before your final walkthrough.
Ready to book? Request a move-out cleaning and include your move-out date.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a Georgia landlord have to return my security deposit?
Georgia law generally gives landlords one month after the lease ends or the unit is surrendered, whichever is later, to return the deposit or provide a written list of reasons for keeping part of it. Check the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook for details.
Can my landlord charge me for normal wear and tear?
Generally no. Georgia law doesn't allow deductions for normal wear and tear from ordinary use. Cleaning charges for a unit left dirty, or repairs for damage beyond normal use, are treated differently.
Will a professional cleaning guarantee my deposit back?
No. A thorough clean removes a common reason for deductions, but it can't fix damage. Keep your receipt, photos and move-in report in case you need to dispute a charge.