Moving out checklist: how to leave your old apartment spick and span to ensure you get your entire deposit back
Entire deposit back is courtroom of scrub brush—landlord deducts for grease ghost, nail hole army, and mysterious carpet stain pre-existing if you lack photos. Moving out checklist systematic leaves unit cleaner than move-in documented and keys handed witness signed reclaiming every birr deposited months ago.
This guide ensures spick and span move-out for full deposit return in Addis Ababa.
T-14 days preparation
- Retrieve move-in photo baseline compare.
- Patch nail holes landlord standard; touch-up paint if lease requires.
- Schedule professional clean or plan DIY two sessions.
- Repair minor damage you caused—loose handle dripping tap.
- Declutter donate—less move less forgotten closet trap.
Room-by-room deep clean
Kitchen
Oven interior; hood filter; fridge defrost clean; cabinets wipe; grease behind stove.
Bathroom
Scale grout; fixture polish; exhaust fan dust.
Living bedroom
Windows tracks; walls mark erase; floors mop vacuum edge baseboard.
Balcony storage
Sweep; remove hooks unless permitted remain.
Appliances and fixtures
Leave functioning unless lease says remove; manuals left if provided move-in. Light bulbs working replace burned.
Meters and keys
Final reading photo electric water; all keys remotes cards list signed handover form duplicate copy you keep.
Joint inspection
Landlord agent walkthrough empty unit; note disagreements form before leave; video supplement.
After truck leaves final sweep
Closet corners; behind doors; air freshen neutral not perfume mask—honest clean.
Deposit follow-up
Written demand timeline lease specifies; polite escalation management mediator if delay unjustified.
Active Movers move-out coordination
Schedule load before final clean if possible—empty unit clean easier; or clean zone as rooms empty sequential.
Conclusion
Full deposit return follows baseline photos, deep room clean, repairs, meter keys documentation, witnessed handover—spick and span apartment is evidence package landlord cannot deduct without fight.
