Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Massachusetts Renters and Landlords
By Squares & Corners · Published · Updated · 4 min read
A move-out cleaning checklist covers every room of the empty unit: kitchen cabinets, appliances and floors, bathroom fixtures and grout, closets, baseboards, window sills and floors throughout. Work from top to bottom, finish with the floors, then photograph each room. Check your lease for anything specific your landlord requires.
Start when the unit is empty, so nothing blocks a cabinet or closet. In each room work from top to bottom, from shelves and light fixtures down to baseboards, and clean the floors last so nothing you dislodge lands on a finished floor. Tenants can use the list to get a unit ready to hand back. Landlords and property managers can use it as a turnover standard for the walk-through.
What to have on hand
If you are cleaning the unit yourself, gather the tools before you begin: microfiber cloths, an all-purpose cleaner, a degreaser for the stovetop, a glass cleaner, a toilet brush, a mop and a vacuum, trash bags and a stepladder for high shelves. Open the windows if the weather allows, and work through the rooms in the order below.
Kitchen
Empty and wipe every cabinet and drawer, inside and out
Clean the counters and the backsplash
Scrub the sink and faucet
Degrease the stovetop and the outside of the range hood
Clean the inside of the oven, or note that it was left as found
Empty, wipe and dry the fridge and freezer, shelves and drawers included
Clean the inside of the microwave
Wipe the outside of the dishwasher and every other appliance
Sweep and mop the floor
Bathrooms
Scrub the toilet, including the base and behind it
Clean the sink, tub and shower, grout and glass included
Wipe the vanity, its drawers, the mirror and the fixtures
Clear hair from the drains
Dust the exhaust fan cover and light fixtures
Mop the floor
Bedrooms and closets
Wipe closet shelves, rods and doors
Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
Wipe baseboards, door frames and window sills
Clean window tracks
Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors
Living areas, entry and hallways
Wipe light switches, outlet plates and door handles
Dust vents, radiators and their covers
Wipe baseboards, banisters and railings
Spot-clean scuffs on walls where the paint allows
Sweep and mop the entry, hallways and stairs
Check every cabinet, closet and drawer for forgotten items
Take out all trash and leftover food
Spots that are easy to miss
Most walk-through complaints are about small things that were skipped, not about the big surfaces. Before you call the unit finished, check these:
The tops of door frames, cabinets and the fridge
Oven racks and the oven door glass
Window tracks and the corners of window sills
The inside of the front door and its handle
Drawer runners and the back corners of shelves
Radiator fins and the floor beneath radiators
Photograph the unit
Take clear photos of each room after cleaning. Include wide shots and close-ups of the inside of the oven, the fridge, the cabinets, the bathtub and the floors. Photograph any damage that was there when you moved in. Keep the photos with your lease and your move-out date, because they give both sides the same record of the unit.
For landlords: the turnover walk-through
Walk the unit with the tenant if you can, and compare it with your move-in condition notes or photos. In your notes, separate three things: cleaning still needed, ordinary wear and tear, and damage. Keep the notes and photos in one place, and consider sharing this checklist with tenants before they move out so both sides start from the same list. If you turn many units around September 1, our September 1 move-out cleaning timeline shows how to sequence movers, cleaners and keys.
Massachusetts security deposits, in general terms
Massachusetts limits what a landlord can deduct from a security deposit. According to the state, a landlord may deduct for unpaid rent or for damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, and must return the deposit with interest within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Rules on cleaning clauses and deposits have changed, so check the current statute and your lease. Read the state’s guidance on tenants' security deposits or the Attorney General's guide to landlord and tenant rights.
General information, not legal advice. A clean does not guarantee any deposit outcome, which is decided between tenant and landlord.
What a cleaner can take off your list
A move-out clean from Squares & Corners covers the kitchen, bathrooms, closets, baseboards, window sills and floors of the empty home, as a one-time visit priced flat by home size and starting at $195 for a studio. Inside the oven ($35) and inside the fridge ($30) are add-ons. Prices as of September 2026; see the pricing page for every size.
