Surviving September 1st: A Move-Out Cleaning Timeline for Boston-Area Renters

Anyone who has rented in Greater Boston knows the date. On September 1st a huge share of leases in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline turn over at once. Moving trucks double-park, stairwells fill with furniture and everyone is trying to clean an apartment while also packing it.

The good news: a little planning makes the cleaning part far less painful. Here is the timeline we recommend to renters who want their security deposit back without losing their last weekend.

Three to four weeks before

• Read the move-out section of your lease. Some landlords list exactly what they inspect.
• Book any professional cleaning now. The last week of August is the busiest of the year for move cleans in the city.
• Take photos of any damage that was there when you moved in, if you have not already.

One to two weeks before

• Start donating or tossing things you will not move. Less stuff means faster cleaning.
• Clean out the freezer by eating through it, then defrost it a few days before the move.
• Wash curtains and shower liners, or replace inexpensive ones.

Moving day minus one

Once the furniture is out, the real cleaning can start. Empty rooms show everything, so focus on the spots inspectors check first:

• Inside the oven, fridge, microwave and dishwasher
• Inside every cabinet and drawer, kitchen and bathroom
• Tub, tile and grout, where soap scum loves to hide
• Baseboards, window sills and the tops of door frames
• Closet shelves and floors

Leave a paper trail

When you are done, walk through and take date-stamped photos of every room. In Massachusetts, landlords generally must return a deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends, minus any lawful deductions they itemize. Photos make any conversation about deductions much simpler.

Want it off your plate?

Our move in/out cleaning covers inside appliances, cabinets and closets, and we work in Quincy, Braintree, Dedham and Norwood. Book early for late August.