6 Tenant Responsibilities When Moving Out of a Rental

Moving out of a rental property—the place you’ve called home for the past year or more—can be both exciting and overwhelming. Between securing your next residence, coordinating your move, and handling the many details involved, it’s understandable to feel a bit stressed.

Amid all the planning, one important question often comes to mind: Will I receive my full security deposit back?

Having a clear understanding of the move-out process can make all the difference. While inspection standards may vary slightly between property management companies, there are common expectations you can prepare for. It’s also important to be aware that state laws differ on what landlords can legally deduct from a security deposit, so it’s essential to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

Having conducted thousands of move-out inspections over the past four decades, many well-intentioned residents make the same costly mistakes, often to maximize their deposit return. While getting your full deposit back is possible, the small details are often overlooked. These small oversights can quickly add up, leading to unexpected deductions—and plenty of frustration—when that final deposit statement arrives in your mailbox.

You may have spent countless hours scrubbing, patching, and repainting, only to feel blindsided by the results. We get it—sometimes, even the best intentions fall short.

But the good news is that with some preparation and insight, you can avoid the common pitfalls and leave your home on the best possible terms.

6 Things You Should Know When Moving Out

1. Cleaning:

Understandably, everyone has a different standard of cleanliness. We often hear comments like, “I spent hours cleaning the house from top to bottom—how could there still be anything left to clean?”

The reality is that certain areas are commonly overlooked during move-out cleaning, including:

• Window sills and ledges
• Stove hood filters
• Windows
• Ceiling fans
• The area beneath and around the stove burners
• Blinds

When the costs of addressing each missed item individually are added up, it’s often more efficient and cost-effective to hire a professional cleaning service and charge for it.

We strongly recommend that you do not clean the home yourself. If your property management company offers the option of deducting cleaning from your deposit, it’s often the most practical and efficient choice. Your time and energy are valuable—and likely better spent on your move.

At Management One, we provide a comprehensive cleaning service, including carpet cleaning, priced between $545 and $875, depending on the size of your home. While getting your full deposit back may seem more appealing, most residents end up spending a similar amount (or more) by handling it themselves and hiring separate vendors.

Discover What It Takes to Thoroughly Clean Your Rental Property.

Download your cleaning checklist today.

2. Painting

Thinking of Painting Before You Move Out? Read This First

We appreciate your effort to leave the home in good condition, but we recommend not painting the walls yourself. Even with the best intentions, mismatched colors or uneven finishes can result in additional costs.

If you've lived in the home for over two years, repainting is typically considered normal wear and tear. Under California law, it is usually the owner's responsibility—unless the walls were damaged or painted a different color without approval.

When in doubt, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help make your move-out process as smooth as possible.

A Real-Life Example

Recently, a resident moved out after three years and tried to patch the walls by painting over them. Unfortunately, the paint color didn’t match, and the uneven finish required a full repaint. This well-intentioned effort ultimately cost the resident $1,000.

Had they left the walls untouched, the painting would have been considered normal wear and tear, and the cost would have been the landlord’s responsibility under California law.

Related Article: Security Deposit: How to maximize your security deposit refund.

3. Pictures

Most people enjoy personalizing their homes with pictures, and understandably so. A great tip is to use Command Strips with adhesive and Velcro backing, which make hanging and removing pictures quick and damage-free. If you used nails, don’t worry. Carefully remove them with needle-nose pliers to minimize damage to the wall. However, we recommend not patching the holes yourself, as DIY fixes often need to be redone professionally, potentially costing more in the long run.

4. Landscaping

The exterior of the home is often overlooked during the chaos of moving. Before turning in your keys, take a moment to tidy up the yard—clear out weeds and debris from flower beds, mow the lawn, rake any leaves, and ensure that all sprinklers are functioning properly. A well-maintained exterior leaves a positive final impression.

5. Personal Items

Be sure to remove all personal belongings from the home before returning your keys. Any items left behind may result in charges against your security deposit for removal. Take a final walkthrough—check the ceilings for leftover decorations, behind doors for forgotten toys, closets for stray items, and the garage for trash or last-minute boxes. A thorough check helps ensure a smooth move-out process.

6. Trash Cans

One of the most commonly overlooked tasks when moving out is emptying the trash cans. Last-minute trash often gets left behind, but no one wants to move into a home with full bins. Be sure to empty all trash cans before leaving. If pickup is scheduled after your move-out date, consider asking a neighbor to set them out for you. Any trash left behind will be removed and charged to your account.

Following these simple tips can help reduce stress and save time during your move. Check with your management company to see if they offer a cleaning checklist or professional cleaning services—taking advantage of these options can make the process much smoother.

If you are a Management One resident and would like a cleaning checklist, just click here!