A move-out checklist for Maryland renters who want their deposit back
By Rosa Herrera · · 5 min read
Summer is move-out season around Bowie and Crofton, and we did more of them this year than ever. The good news is that property managers check the same things almost every time.
Kitchen
- Inside the oven, including the racks and the glass on the door.
- Inside and behind the fridge. Pull it out if you can.
- Cabinet shelves, wiped and empty. Crumbs in the corners get noticed.
Bathrooms
- Soap scum on the tub and shower glass.
- Under the sink, where things leak.
- The exhaust fan cover, which is usually furry.
Everywhere else
Baseboards, light switches, and the tracks of sliding doors and windows. Take photos of every room when you are done, with the date. In Maryland your landlord has 45 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, so it helps to have proof.