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Move Out Cleaning Service New York, NY - Get Your Full Deposit Back
Last month, a guy in Bed-Stuy called us in a panic. He was moving out the next day and his landlord was scheduled to do the walk-through at noon. Place was a mess and he knew his landlord would keep every penny of his $3,200 deposit. We got a team there at 6 AM and worked straight through. At the walk-through, his landlord couldn't find a single thing to complain about. Full deposit returned. That's what move out cleaning service New York, NY can do for you.
We've been helping people get their security deposits back since 2013. Started this business because I lost a $2,000 deposit when I moved out of my first apartment in Brooklyn. Landlord claimed it was dirty even though I spent two full days cleaning. Learned the hard way that landlords and tenants have very different ideas about what "clean" means.
Now we help about 40-50 people every month navigate this exact situation. We know what landlords look for. We know how to document everything. And we know how to clean to a standard that makes it really hard for them to justify keeping your money.
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Why Move Out Cleaning Service Matters in NYC
Security deposits in this city are huge. First month, last month, security deposit - you're talking thousands of dollars.
Landlords know this and some of them actively look for reasons to keep that money. They'll point to dust on baseboards. Marks on walls. Grease on the stove. Soap scum in the shower. Dirty grout. Window tracks with dirt in them. Stuff you didn't even notice becomes a reason to deduct $500 from your deposit.
Move out cleaning service New York, NY protects your money. We clean to the standard that lease agreements actually require - "broom clean" doesn't mean what you think it means in landlord language. It means spotless. It means cleaner than when you moved in, even though it definitely wasn't spotless then.
We've helped clients recover over $400,000 in security deposits in the last three years. That's not an exaggeration. We track it because it matters to us. Every dollar you get back is a dollar some landlord was probably gonna keep for no good reason.
What's Included in Move Out Cleaning
Our move out cleaning service covers every detail landlords check during final inspections. The kitchen is thoroughly cleaned, including inside the oven, behind appliances, and all surfaces.
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Bathrooms receive meticulous attention with grout scrubbed white and all soap scum removed. Toilets, showers, mirrors, and floors are cleaned to a high standard.
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Bedrooms and living areas are vacuumed and dusted thoroughly, including behind radiators and inside closets. Baseboards, light switches, and window tracks are cleaned.
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Closets are cleaned inside and out, with doors and door frames wiped down. Light fixtures and floors receive proper cleaning based on surface type.
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We focus on the details landlords care about most, such as baseboards, grout, and inside appliances. This thorough approach helps secure your deposit return.
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Our detailed cleaning covers all the hard-to-reach spots that make a difference. Floors are mopped carefully, and every corner is addressed to meet landlord expectations.
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How NYC Landlords Try to Keep Your Deposit
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"Normal wear and tear" often gets ignored. Landlords charge for minor scuffs or slightly worn carpet that result from everyday living, even though these should be covered.
Some landlords claim pre-existing damage as tenant fault, making move-in photos essential. Others deduct fixed fees regardless of cleanliness or find multiple small issues to charge for.
Our Move Out Cleaning Process
Scheduling Close to Move-Out
We schedule cleaning as near to your move-out date as possible, ideally the day before or the morning of your walk-through to avoid dust settling or accidental messes.
Initial Assessment
Upon arrival, we quickly assess furniture left, dirt levels, and problem areas to plan the cleaning efficiently.
Systematic Room-by-Room Cleaning
We clean room by room, starting with kitchens and bathrooms, with team members working in parallel for thoroughness and speed.
Use of Professional-Grade Products
Our industrial degreasers, grout cleaners, and heavy-duty scrubbers tackle years of grime beyond typical grocery store supplies.
Comprehensive Surface Cleaning
Every surface is cleaned from ceilings to floors, working top to bottom so no dirt is missed and everything is spotless.
Final Walk-Through and Documentation
We complete a final inspection against a checklist and photograph the apartment’s condition to protect you from disputes.
Challenges of walk-up apartments
Unique issues in pre-war apartments
Cleaning demands of large apartments
High-rise apartment cleaning details
Inspection standards for small units
Move Out Cleaning for Different Apartment Types
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Timing Your Move Out Cleaning Service
When you schedule matters more than people think. Too early and dust will settle, or you'll accidentally dirty something while moving your last belongings. Too late and you're stressed and rushing.
Best timing is the day before your lease ends or the morning of your final walk-through. Everything gets cleaned after you've moved all your stuff out. Then nobody's there to mess it up before the landlord sees it.
If your walk-through is at 2 PM, we can come at 7 AM and have everything done in time. If it's the next day, we clean the evening before and you just keep the door locked until the walk-through.
Some people try to clean themselves then call us to touch up. That's fine but it usually costs about the same because we still have to check everything. Might as well let us handle the whole thing. We can also work around your moving schedule. If your movers are coming at 10 AM, we'll come at 6 AM and clean the empty rooms as furniture gets moved out. Coordinate it right and everything happens smoothly.
After we finish, you're ready for the walk-through. We give you the photos we took documenting the condition. Keep these on your phone. During the walk-through, the landlord or property manager will inspect everything. They should have a checklist. If they try to claim something is dirty or damaged, you can reference our photos. Most of the time when we've done the cleaning, they can't find anything wrong. They might try - they'll look really hard - but there's nothing to complain about. You get your deposit back in full, usually within 14-30 days depending on state law. Sometimes they'll still try to keep some money for painting or repairs. That's different from cleaning. If they claim they need to repaint because of nail holes or scuffs, that might be legitimate depending on your lease. But they can't claim cleaning charges when the place is spotless. If they do try to deduct for cleaning when we cleaned it, you have documentation proving otherwise. Most people get their money back when they can prove the apartment was clean.
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What Happens After Move Out Cleaning
Cost of Move Out Cleaning
Pricing depends on apartment size and condition. Studios or small one-bedrooms range from $200-300, regular one-bedrooms $300-400, two-bedrooms $400-600, and three-bedrooms $600-900. Larger or heavily soiled spaces cost more.
Duration of Cleaning
Typical cleaning takes 4-8 hours. Small studios may require 3-4 hours, while large three-bedrooms can take 8-10 hours. We prioritize thoroughness over speed.
Cleaning During Move Out
We coordinate with your movers to clean rooms as they are emptied, saving time and streamlining the process.
Landlord Deposit Issues
If your landlord withholds your deposit, we provide documentation proving the apartment was cleaned, supporting your dispute if needed.
Presence During Cleaning
You don’t need to be present. Most clients provide keys or door codes, and we secure the apartment and return keys as arranged.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Basic removal of trash and belongings is helpful, but deep cleaning isn’t necessary before we arrive. Just ensure the apartment is empty.
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Manhattan Coverage
We serve all Manhattan neighborhoods including Upper West Side, Midtown, and Harlem with detailed local knowledge.
Brooklyn Service Areas
Our team cleans 20-30 Brooklyn apartments monthly across neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Park Slope.
Queens Cleaning Zones
We cover Queens neighborhoods such as Astoria and Flushing, focusing on helping clients secure their deposits.
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Why Landlords Are So Strict About Move Out Condition
Understanding why helps you see why move out cleaning service New York, NY is worth it.
Landlords want to rent the apartment again quickly. If it's dirty, they have to clean it or hire someone. That costs money and takes time. Easier to just keep your deposit and use it for cleaning.
Some landlords use deposits as income. Sounds shady but it's true. They expect to keep part of every deposit. It's built into their financial planning. Even good tenants lose money.
The rental market in NYC is so tight that landlords can be picky. They know there's ten people waiting for your apartment. They don't need to be flexible or fair. They have all the power.
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DIY Move Out Cleaning vs Professional Service
People ask if they should just clean themselves to save money. Here's the real talk.
DIY cleaning saves money upfront. You're out $50 for supplies instead of $300-500 for professional service. Seems like a no-brainer.
But most people don't clean to the standard landlords require. You'll spend 8-10 hours cleaning and still miss stuff. Grout won't be white enough. Baseboards will still have dust. Inside the oven won't be perfect. Window tracks will have dirt.
Your time has value too. Is spending your entire Saturday cleaning worth saving $300? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on your situation. The risk is biggest factor though. If you clean yourself and the landlord keeps $1,500 of your deposit for cleaning charges, you just lost $1,200 trying to save $300. The math doesn't work. Professional move out cleaning service New York, NY costs money but protects way more money. We've seen people lose $2,000 deposits over cleaning issues that would've cost $400 to prevent. Plus we know what we're doing. We've cleaned thousands of apartments for move-outs. We know what property managers check. We know how to get grout white and ovens spotless. You're learning as you go.
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Sometimes people call us with zero notice. Moving out tomorrow, just realized the apartment is a disaster, panicking about the deposit. We try to help when we can. If we have availability, we'll squeeze you in. Might cost extra for rush service but it's better than losing your whole deposit.
Had a client call us at 8 PM on a Tuesday. She was moving out Wednesday at noon and just started packing that day. Realized the apartment was way too dirty. We sent a team at 6 AM Wednesday and finished by 11. She made her walk-through and got her deposit back. But we can't always do this. If we're booked, we're booked. This is why planning ahead matters. As soon as you know your move-out date, schedule the cleaning. We book up especially during peak moving season - summer months and end of month. If you absolutely can't get professional help and you're out of time, focus on the big stuff. Kitchen and bathrooms first. Get the stove and oven clean. Scrub the tub and toilet. Wipe down all surfaces. Vaccum everywhere. Do baseboards if you have time. It won't be perfect but it's better than nothing.
Last-Minute Move Out Cleaning
What We've Learned Helping People Move Out
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Landlords focus on oven interiors, bathroom grout, baseboards, window tracks, and behind appliances. Document your home’s condition with photos at move-in and move-out to avoid disputes.
Communicate with your landlord before the walk-through to understand their expectations. Clean right before the inspection and address small details to protect your deposit.
Getting Started with Move Out Cleaning Service New York, NY
If you're moving out soon and want your deposit back, here's what to do.
Call or text us as soon as you know your move-out date. We'll ask about your apartment size, condition, and when you need it done. Give you a quote right away. We'll schedule a specific date and time. Usually we come after all your stuff is moved out. If you need us to coordinate with movers, we can do that too. On cleaning day, we show up on time with all equipment and supplies. You don't provide anything unless you have special products you want us to use. We clean everything according to our checklist. Takes as long as it takes - we don't rush. When done, we walk through with you if you're there, or we send you photos documenting the condition. You go to your walk-through confident that the place is actually clean. If your landlord tries to claim otherwise, you have proof it's not true. Most of our move out clients get their full deposits back. The ones who don't usually lose money for damage or paint, not cleaning. That's the whole point - eliminate cleaning as a reason to keep your money. Moving in NYC is stressful enough without worrying about your security deposit. Let us handle the cleaning so you can focus on everything else. You've got enough to deal with already.