Apartment Move-Out Checklist: Get Your Full Security Deposit Back
The average Atlanta renter loses $300–$600 of their security deposit to preventable charges. This room-by-room move-out checklist helps you leave your apartment in condition that earns a full refund.
Most Common Security Deposit Deductions in Atlanta
Carpet cleaning
$150–$400
Wall repainting
$200–$600
Cleaning fees
$100–$350
Broken blinds
$30–$80 each
Damaged appliances
$150–$500
Missing hardware
$20–$100
Table of Contents
Under Georgia law, landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out. But before that clock starts, the condition you leave the apartment in determines whether you get $0 back or the full amount. This checklist covers every room and every common deduction so nothing falls through the cracks.
1. Before You Start Cleaning
- Re-read your original lease — note any specific move-out requirements your landlord included
- Pull out the move-in condition report you signed — every pre-existing issue documented there is NOT your responsibility
- Take timestamped photos of every room before you move any furniture (and again after cleaning)
- Compile all keys, fobs, parking passes, mailbox keys, and amenity cards for return
- Confirm your move-out date and inspection time in writing with your landlord
- Gather cleaning supplies before move day — it's harder to clean after furniture is loaded
2. Kitchen Move-Out Checklist
The kitchen is the most common source of security deposit deductions. Landlords expect it spotless.
Oven & Range
- Remove and clean oven racks
- Degrease oven interior (baked-on grease is most common deduction)
- Clean burner grates and drip pans
- Wipe down range hood and filter
- Polish stovetop surface
Refrigerator
- Remove all food
- Wipe all interior shelves, drawers, and walls
- Clean door gaskets and seals
- Defrost and dry freezer
- Clean exterior and top of refrigerator
- Pull out and clean underneath
Dishwasher
- Run an empty cleaning cycle
- Wipe door seal and interior walls
- Remove and clean the filter
Cabinets & Drawers
- Remove all items and wipe interiors
- Wipe cabinet exteriors and handles
- Ensure no shelf liner adhesive residue remains
Sink & Counters
- Scrub sink and remove stains
- Clean garbage disposal (ice + salt method)
- Degrease and sanitize all countertops
- Caulk cracks if needed (or report pre-existing)
3. Bathroom Move-Out Checklist
Shower & Tub
- Remove all soap scum and hard water deposits
- Scrub grout lines (a toothbrush helps)
- Clean shower doors or curtain rod
- Check caulk — deteriorating caulk is often pre-existing but document it
- Polish chrome fixtures
Toilet
- Clean bowl inside and under the rim
- Wipe exterior including base and bolts
- Wipe tank and lid
- Clean behind toilet
Vanity & Mirror
- Remove all items from cabinets and wipe interiors
- Clean mirror (no streaks)
- Scrub sink and drain
- Clean under-sink cabinet
Floors & Walls
- Mop tile floor including baseboards
- Check for mold behind toilet and under sink
- Wipe any wall splatter near sink or shower
4. Bedrooms & Living Areas
- Vacuum all carpets thoroughly — consider professional carpet cleaning for visible stains
- Clean hardwood or tile floors (mop + edge clean)
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and ceiling corners
- Wipe down all windowsills, blinds, and window tracks
- Clean window glass inside and out
- Remove all nails and picture hooks
- Touch up or fill nail holes (see wall section)
- Wipe down all light switches and outlet covers
- Clean closet shelves, rods, and floors
- Remove all personal items, trash, and recycling
5. Walls, Doors & Floors
Normal Wear vs. Damage
Landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear under Georgia law. Small scuffs, minor carpet wear, and faded paint after years of occupancy are normal. Large holes, stains, burns, and broken fixtures are tenant damage.
- Fill nail holes with spackling compound — match the existing wall finish
- Touch up paint for scuffs larger than 2 inches (use leftover paint if available)
- For larger areas, repaint to the nearest corner — partial wall patches often look worse
- Clean all door frames, door faces, and knobs
- Check that all doors open, close, and lock properly
- Ensure all door stoppers are intact
- For hardwood floors: address any significant scratches; deep gouges should be reported as pre-existing if documented
- Steam clean or professionally clean carpets with visible staining
6. Appliances & Fixtures
- Test every light switch — replace any burned-out bulbs with the same wattage and base type
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors — replace batteries
- Check that all HVAC vents and returns are clean
- Replace HVAC filter (typically $5–$15 — saves you a $50 charge)
- Test all ceiling fans for proper operation
- Check that all window blinds are intact and operational (bent slats are common deductions)
- Verify all cabinet hardware is present and secure
- Report (in writing) any pre-existing appliance issues that were not noted at move-in
7. Final Walkthrough with Your Landlord
Request a joint walkthrough with your landlord or property manager before handing over keys. This is your opportunity to:
- Address any issues on the spot instead of disputing charges later
- Point to your move-in condition report for any pre-existing issues
- Get written confirmation that the unit was accepted
- Return all keys, fobs, and access items and get a written receipt
- Ask when you can expect your deposit refund (Georgia law: 30 days)
8. Georgia Security Deposit Laws
Return Deadline
Landlords must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of any deductions.
Normal Wear & Tear
Landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear. This includes minor scuffs, small nail holes, carpet wear consistent with the rental period, and faded paint.
Itemized Deductions
Any deductions must be itemized in writing. A vague "cleaning fee" without specifics may not be enforceable.
Dispute Process
If you disagree with deductions, send a written dispute within 30 days. Georgia allows tenants to sue for up to 3× the wrongfully withheld deposit.
Pre-Move-Out Inspection
Georgia law gives you the right to request an inspection before your move-out date so you can address issues while still in the unit.
Moving Out of Your Atlanta Apartment?
Pragmatic Movers makes Atlanta apartment moves fast, safe, and stress-free. We know the logistics of every major complex in Buckhead, Midtown, and across the metro.
About the Author
Written by the Pragmatic Movers team. We’ve moved thousands of Atlanta renters out of apartments in Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, and beyond since 2015.