Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Tampa Bay Homes

Who a move-out clean is for

Renters book it before handing the keys back, because property managers check inside appliances, cabinets and bathrooms first; the inside of the oven, fridge and cabinets can be added for $45 each. Landlords and property managers book it to turn a unit between tenants. Sellers book it after the furniture leaves so the buyer walks into a clean house. Buyers book the same visit as a move-in clean before the boxes arrive, which is especially useful in new construction where builder dust sits in vents, on cabinet tops and in window tracks.

We cannot promise what a landlord will decide about a deposit. What we can do is clean everything a move-out clean includes and tell you which items on your property manager's checklist are add-ons.

Before the cleaners arrive

Timing matters more for a move-out than for any other clean. Plan these before the visit:

Book a date after the movers leave and before the inspection, closing or key handover
Keep water and electricity on through the cleaning day; we need both
Empty the home, including cabinets, drawers, closets, the fridge and the oven
Take out the trash or leave space at the bins for what is left
Send the inspection, closing or move date in the booking form
Send the property manager's checklist if you have one
Tell us about pets that lived in the home so enough time is planned for hair
If the date moves, text (813) 761-7600 and we move with it

Move-out clean versus deep clean

Both use the same price table, but they are different visits. A deep clean works around your furniture and belongings and is meant for a home people live in. A move-out clean assumes the home is empty, so the time goes into the places that are normally full: inside every drawer and closet, and floors that are usually under beds and sofas. If the home is still furnished on the cleaning day, tell us, because some of the checklist below will not be possible.

Kitchen

Inside all drawers
Inside the cabinets ($45 add-on)
Inside the oven ($45 add-on)
Inside the refrigerator ($45 add-on)
Outside of appliances, stovetop and microwave
Counters and backsplash
Sink and fixtures
Light fixtures and switches
Baseboards
Floor vacuumed and mopped last

Bathrooms

Inside vanity drawers
Toilet inside and out
Shower, tub, tile and grout
Sink, counter and fixtures
Mirrors
Light fixtures and switches
Baseboards
Floor cleaned last

Bedrooms and closets

Inside closets, including shelves and rods
Window sills and tracks
Blinds
Ceiling fans and light fixtures
Baseboards, door frames and light switches
Walls spot-cleaned
Floors vacuumed and mopped

Living areas, hallways and laundry area

Window sills and tracks
Blinds
Ceiling fans and light fixtures
Baseboards, door frames, light switches and door handles
Walls spot-cleaned
All floors vacuumed and mopped last

Add-ons and what is not included

The move-out checklist covers the inside of drawers and closets. The inside of the cabinets, the oven and the refrigerator are $45 add-ons each. Interior windows are an add-on: $55 for a home up to 2,000 sq ft, or $7 per window with blinds and $5 per window without blinds for larger homes. Green cleaning products are available at no extra charge.

Carpet shampooing, exterior windows and removal of items left behind are not part of a move-out clean. If your lease or property manager asks for other items, send the checklist and we will tell you before the visit which of them are add-ons and which are not part of a cleaning visit.

Renters, landlords and sellers: what to focus on

Different people book a move-out for different reasons, so the priorities differ a little:

Renters: inside appliances, cabinets and bathrooms are what a property manager checks first, so add the oven, fridge and cabinet interiors ($45 each) and schedule the clean before your walkthrough, not after
Landlords and property managers: send the date the next tenant moves in and any unit checklist; tell us if the unit has been sitting empty and dusty
Sellers: schedule after the movers and before the final walkthrough; if you also want the home clean for listing photos, book a deep clean before photos and the move-out clean after the furniture leaves
Buyers: book the move-in clean between the final walkthrough and moving day

What a move-out clean costs

Move-in and move-out cleans use the deep cleaning price table, by square footage. A home up to 999 sq ft is $220, 1,000 to 1,499 sq ft is $330, 1,500 to 1,999 sq ft is $440 and 2,000 to 2,499 sq ft is $550. The full table is on this page. The number of bedrooms does not change the price, and the minimum booking is 4 hours.

Cancel or reschedule by the day before the visit; rescheduling is free and a late cancellation is $50. We are closed on Sunday, so plan a Saturday or weekday clean if your lease ends on a weekend. Book at lilly-maids.com/booknow or call or text (813) 761-7600.

Prices

Priced by square footage. A move-in or move-out clean is a one-time visit, priced on the same table as a deep clean. Minimum booking 4 hours. Extras and details.

Home size	Price	HoursCleaning time
Up to 999 sq ft	$220	4 h hours
1,000 - 1,499 sq ft	$330	6 h hours
1,500 - 1,999 sq ft	$440	8 h hours
2,000 - 2,499 sq ft	$550	10 h hours
2,500 - 2,999 sq ft	$660	12 h hours
3,000 - 3,499 sq ft	$770	14 h hours
3,500 - 3,999 sq ft	$880	16 h hours
4,000 - 4,499 sq ft	$990	18 h hours
4,500 - 4,999 sq ft	$1,100	20 h hours
5,000 - 5,499 sq ft	$1,210	22 h hours

From our customers

★★★★★

Highly Recommend! Lilly Maids cleaning my new home (move in cleaning) and my old home (move out cleaning) and everything looked fabulous!

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Deep cleaning, Interior cabinet cleaning, Baseboard cleaning, Oven cleaning, Fridge cleaning, Pets in home, Just once

Bill S. · Thumbtack · Sep 30, 2026
★★★★★

This is THE BEST PLACE!! I found them to be affordable, so sweet and I needed them last minute for a move out and they were able to make it happen. My place that I just moved out of literally looks like someone can literally move right in. The cleaners that were used were not overbearing at all. Our lady was sooooo freakin sweet. I will definitely be booking again for my new place for just a monthly maintenance cleaning. Thank you ladies, you guys are the best!!!

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Move out cleaning, Fridge cleaning, Baseboard cleaning, Window cleaning (interior), No pets, Just once

Nicole G. · Thumbtack · Aug 23, 2026
★★★★★

lily maids was very attentive to all questions with no delays. they did a good job on cleaning our place before our move in

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Deep cleaning, No pets, Just once

Kaliyah N. · Thumbtack · Aug 6, 2026

Common questions

Does the home need to be empty?

Yes, or as close to empty as possible. Drawers and closets, and cabinets if you add them, can only be cleaned inside when they are cleared, and floors are done last with nothing on them.

Do the utilities need to be on?

Yes. We need running water and electricity. Schedule the clean before the utilities are turned off.

Will a move-out clean get my deposit back?

We cannot guarantee a landlord's decision. Send the property manager's checklist and we will mark which items are add-ons before the visit.

Are the oven and refrigerator included?

They are not part of the base move-out clean; inside the oven and inside the refrigerator are add-ons at $45 each, and many move-out customers add both.

Can you clean the day before my inspection?

Usually, if the slot is open. Send the inspection date in the form and we schedule before it. We are closed on Sunday.