Moving out is stressful enough without the surprise of a partial deposit refund. Northern Kentucky property managers have a fairly consistent list of things they check — and a fairly consistent list of things they charge for if they're not done.
Here's the full checklist, room by room.
Kitchen (the #1 deduction area)
- Inside the oven — burned-on grease is the most common deduction. Self-clean cycle + 30 minutes of scrubbing.
- Stovetop and burner pans — burner pans usually need to be replaced if they're badly burned ($15–$30 each)
- Inside the microwave — splatters and rotating plate
- Inside the refrigerator — empty, defrosted (if applicable), and wiped down
- Inside cabinets and drawers — crumbs and grease residue
- Cabinet faces — fingerprints, splatters near the stove
- Sink — including the rim, faucet base, and disposal opening
- Floor — including under the fridge if you can pull it out
Bathrooms
- Toilet — bowl, rim, base, and behind the seat
- Tub/shower — soap scum, mildew, hard-water deposits
- Tile and grout — pay attention to the caulk line where wall meets tub
- Mirror and glass shower doors — no streaks
- Vanity — top, drawers, and inside cabinets
- Exhaust fan — yes, they check (vacuum the grill cover, dust the blades)
Living areas
- Carpet — if you have carpets, professional steam cleaning is usually required (most leases require a receipt). DIY rentals usually aren't accepted.
- Hardwood/laminate — vacuum then damp mop
- Baseboards — wipe down all of them, every room
- Door frames and doors — fingerprints around handles
- Light switches and outlet covers — they get yellow over time
- Light fixtures — remove and clean glass covers; ceiling fans get dusted
- Air return vents — vacuum the grill, dust around it
- Window sills and tracks — including the slide tracks at the bottom
- Closets — empty completely, vacuum or sweep the floor
Bedrooms
- Same as living areas, plus:
- Closet shelves and rods — wipe down
- Behind/under furniture spots — dust bunnies, anything dropped
Laundry area
- Dryer lint trap — clean it out
- Behind washer/dryer — if you can pull them out, vacuum the lint
- Inside the washer — wipe the rubber gasket if it's a front-loader
Patio/Balcony
- Sweep
- Wipe down any railings
- Take all furniture/grills with you (or arrange disposal)
- Check for cigarette butts, plant debris
Outside the unit (often overlooked!)
- Welcome mat — take it with you
- Storage unit (if assigned) — completely empty
- Mail key returned to the leasing office
What this saves you
A typical Kentucky security deposit on a 2BR/2BA apartment is $1,000–$1,500. The most common deductions:
| Issue | Typical Deduction |
|---|---|
| Carpet steam cleaning (not done) | $150–$300 |
| Oven/stovetop deep clean | $75–$150 |
| Refrigerator clean-out | $50–$100 |
| Bathroom deep clean (mildew/grout) | $100–$200 |
| Wall scuffs and nail holes (patching not included) | $50–$200 |
Hiring a professional move-out clean costs $250–$450 depending on size and condition — and almost always saves you 2–3x that in deposit deductions.
How we can help
We do move-out cleans across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Every move-out clean includes the entire checklist above (yes, even inside the oven and behind the toilet). Get an instant estimate — pick "Deep Clean" and add "Inside Oven" + "Inside Fridge" if those apply.
We can also coordinate carpet steam cleaning through a partner if your lease requires a receipt for it. Just mention it in the notes when you book.