How to Clean Before an Apartment Lease Inspection

That Cleaning Girl · Apartment Cleaning

A note on the door says the leasing office will be doing unit inspections next week. No need to panic. Routine inspections are common in apartment communities, and they are usually about safety and maintenance, not white-glove tests. In What Landlords Look for When You Move Out of an Apartment we covered the move-out walkthrough. A mid-lease inspection is lighter, but a clean apartment still makes it go quicker and leaves a good impression.

Every property handles inspections a little differently, so read the notice and your lease for what they will check. This is general advice for getting ready.

What inspections usually cover

Most routine inspections focus on the condition of the unit and anything that needs repair. Staff often check:

• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Signs of leaks under sinks, around the toilet and near the water heater.
• The air filter and the HVAC closet.
• Appliances, faucets and outlets.
• Signs of pests or mold.
• Any damage to walls, doors, floors or windows.
• Whether the unit is reasonably clean and safe, with clear paths.

They are not usually grading your housekeeping. But dirt and clutter can hide problems, and a grimy kitchen can raise questions about pests. A tidy unit makes their job quick and keeps the focus on maintenance.

Clear the paths first

Inspectors need to get to the water heater, the HVAC closet, the electrical panel, under the sinks and the windows. Start by clearing those spots.

• Move storage out of the utility closet so they can reach the unit and filter.
• Empty enough of the under-sink cabinets that they can see the pipes.
• Clear a path to every window and the balcony door.
• Pick up clothes, shoes and bags from the floor so nobody trips.

If you have been using the HVAC closet as a pantry or coat closet, now is a good time to find those things a new home. Many leases do not allow storage in there at all.

The kitchen

Give the kitchen a solid clean, since it is the room most tied to pests and odors.

• Wash the dishes and empty the sink.
• Wipe the counters, stovetop and backsplash.
• Wipe the front of the appliances and the inside of the microwave.
• Toss old food from the fridge and wipe any spills.
• Take out the trash and recycling.
• Sweep and mop, especially along the cabinet edges where crumbs collect.

The bathroom

Clean the toilet, sink, counter and mirror, and scrub the tub or shower. Pay attention to the caulk around the tub. If you see dark spots, they may be mildew. Scrub what you can, and if it does not come up, mention it to maintenance rather than hiding it. Mold and leaks are exactly what inspections are meant to catch early.

Turn on the exhaust fan and listen. If it is not running or sounds like it is struggling, add it to your list of things to report.

Living areas and bedrooms

A quick pickup and a vacuum go a long way here. Dust the obvious surfaces, make the beds and put clothes away. Wipe light switches and door handles. Check the walls for marks, and spot clean anything that wipes off easily. Do not worry about every corner. You want the space to look cared for and easy to walk through.

Pets and pet areas

If you have pets, scoop the litter box, clean up any accidents, vacuum pet hair and wash the pet bed if it smells. Plan for where your pet will be during the inspection, too. Many properties ask that dogs be crated or taken out, and cats can slip out an open door in a second. Read your notice for their rules.

Make a repair list

While you clean, keep a list of anything that is not working: a dripping faucet, a loose cabinet door, a cracked outlet cover, a stuck window. Hand it to the inspector or put in a maintenance request. Inspections are a great chance to get small fixes done, and reporting issues yourself shows you are taking care of the place.

Give yourself a day or two

A one-bedroom apartment can usually be ready in a few hours if you are already keeping up with regular cleaning. If it has been a while, give yourself two evenings: one for the kitchen and bathroom, and one for clearing paths and the rest of the rooms. Many renters across Waxahachie, Midlothian and the south DFW area book a one-time clean before an inspection so they can focus on work and the repair list.

Keep the notice somewhere you will see it, and set a reminder on your phone for the day before.

To see what we include in an apartment clean, visit our apartment cleaning services page. Next up, we flip to the other end of the lease: cleaning before you move in.