A college semester can drag on and seem endless, but finals sneak up on you. Before you know it, it’s time to pack up and move out of the place you’ve been calling home for months or longer. Regardless of whether you’re living on campus or you found an amazing off-campus apartment, your lease likely dictates that you leave the place just the way you found it.
In many cases, students are required to thoroughly clean the dorm room or apartment before handing back the keys. What exactly is college move-out cleaning? Here’s everything students need to know before moving out.
Why Landlords and Student Housing Require It
While you only planned to live in your space for a short period of time, the property owner has a financial stake in it. Most rental agreements have very clear and specific requirements related to cleaning, and these requirements are intended to protect their property and minimize their expenses when you move out.
Your finances are also affected by the cleaning and move-out clause in your lease. You might sacrifice a portion or all of the security deposit you paid upfront if you don’t clean it to the landlord’s standards. If you leave behind a big mess and property damage, you might even receive a bill from your landlord after you move it.
What Is Included in a College Move-Out Cleaning?
Every dollar counts and especially so when you’re in college. Getting the full amount of your security deposit back is essential, so you don’t want to leave any dirt behind. When preparing to move out, it’s critical to read your rental agreement in detail. That legally binding contract details exactly what the landlord requires of you when moving out.
If your landlord provided you with a property condition report when you signed the lease, review that, too. If there’s any dirt or damage that wasn’t indicated on this report, you need to take care of it before returning the keys.
College move-out cleaning is a deep-cleaning session. It involves all of the routine cleaning tasks that you do on a regular basis. This includes cleaning the floors, wiping down counters and sinks, and removing grime from the tub and toilet. However, it goes beyond that. You’ll also need to tackle carpet stains, wipe down the walls to remove smudges, and knock down dust bunnies and cobwebs. The drawers, cabinets, and shelves should also be wiped down.
Common Areas Students Forget to Clean
Forgetting to clean some areas gives your landlord a reason to withhold some of your security deposit.
These are among the most common areas students forget to clean when moving out:
- Appliances: Wipe down the microwave, fridge, and stove. If a washer and dryer were included in your rental, these also need to be thoroughly cleaned. Remove any buildup at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Windows: Pull the blinds up to fully access the windows. Wipe down every inch of the glass as well as the trim, tracks, and windowsill.
- Trash: You might be tempted to leave unwanted items behind, but don’t. Absolutely everything needs to be removed from the unit. Don’t leave so much as a napkin behind.
- Lights and Fans: Dust off the ceiling fan blades and light fixtures. If any bulbs are burnt out, replace those.
Why Choose a Professional College Move-Out Cleaning Service?
Moving out of student housing or an apartment is a lot of work, so it makes sense to consider professional college move-out cleaning service. While there is an upfront cost to using the service, you may get more of your security deposit back if the pros do the work than you would if you try to clean the space yourself.
With this potential financial benefit coupled with the ability to reduce stress and move out more quickly, booking professional cleaners might make the most sense for you.
After a long, hard semester, you’re ready to get out of town fast. Something like cleaning your dorm room or apartment is more than a drag. It drains you of time and energy that you might not have available to give. Tidyhere cleaning services are the perfect solution. Our cleaning pros will erase all of the grime that’s built up since you first moved in. Call us today to reserve Tidyhere cleaning services before your lease ends.
