Move Out Cleaning Checklist for Austin: Texas Deposit Rules, Bulk Pickup and Room-by-Room Tasks

Moving out of an Austin apartment or house? This move out cleaning checklist for Austin walks you through what to clean room by room, how to deal with Austin’s water spots and dust, how to get rid of furniture under the city’s bulk pickup rules, and what Texas law says about getting your deposit back. It works whether you’re leaving a West Campus lease, a Mueller townhome or a rental house in South Austin.

Texas deposit rules every Austin renter should know

Texas Property Code Chapter 92 covers security deposits. The key points:

• 30 days: your landlord must refund the deposit, or send a written, itemized list of deductions, within 30 days after you surrender the unit (Sec. 92.103 and 92.104).
• Forwarding address: the landlord doesn’t have to return the deposit until you give a written forwarding address (Sec. 92.107). Send it in writing before you hand back the keys.
• Normal wear and tear: the landlord can’t deduct for normal wear and tear (Sec. 92.104). They can deduct for damage and charges you’re legally responsible for under the lease.
• Advance notice: many leases require written notice before you move out. That clause can only make you lose your refund if it’s underlined or in bold in the lease (Sec. 92.103).

Read your lease for any cleaning requirements, such as carpet cleaning or “broom clean” language. Then clean, photograph and hand back the keys. Dated photos of a clean, empty unit are your best evidence if a deduction is disputed.

Austin details that change a move-out clean

Moderately hard water

Austin Water’s 2025 water quality report lists total hardness of 70 to 126 ppm, with an average of 93 ppm, or about 5.4 grains per gallon. That’s moderately hard. It’s softer than many Texas cities, but it still leaves white rings around faucets, spots on shower glass and film on stainless sinks. Some nearby suburbs, such as Round Rock, report much harder water, so plan more descaling time there. Wipe glass and chrome dry after cleaning so new spots don’t form before the inspection.

Dust, cedar pollen and A/C vents

Austin homes run their A/C most of the year, so return vents, ceiling fans and the tops of door frames gather a lot of dust. From December to February, mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen, the cause of “cedar fever,” adds a fine layer to sills and floors. On a move-out, dust high surfaces first and vacuum the vent covers before you wipe anything below them.

Lease turnover season

Thousands of student leases around UT Austin, in West Campus, North Campus and Riverside, end in late July and early August, and new tenants often move in days later. Cleaners and moving trucks are in high demand during those weeks. Book your move-out clean as soon as you know your dates.

Getting rid of furniture and extra trash

Leaving furniture behind is one of the most common deductions. If you live in a single-family home or a building of up to four units with city service, Austin Resource Recovery collects bulk items by appointment. Book up to three collections a year through the Austin Recycles app, online or by calling 3-1-1, and set items at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your date. Bulk pickup won’t take bagged household trash, mirrors or boxes. Larger apartment complexes use their own dumpsters, so ask the leasing office. Clear everything out before your cleaner arrives, because move-out cleaning is for an empty unit.

Room-by-room move out cleaning checklist

Küche

• Inside the oven, racks and broiler drawer; stovetop, knobs and drip pans
• Inside the fridge and freezer, including shelves, drawers and door seals; pull the fridge out to clean the floor behind it if you can do it safely
• Microwave inside and out; range hood and filter
• Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers; counters and backsplash
• Sink, faucet and aerator descaled; dishwasher door and edges
• Floor swept and mopped, including under the edges of appliances

Badezimmer

• Toilet inside, outside and around the base
• Tub, shower walls, glass and fixtures descaled; grout and caulk scrubbed
• Vanity inside and out, mirror, medicine cabinet
• Exhaust fan cover dusted; floor and baseboards washed

Bedrooms and living areas

• Ceiling fans, light fixtures and A/C vent covers dusted
• Closet shelves, rods and floors; window sills and tracks
• Baseboards, door frames, doors and switch plates wiped
• Scuffs spot-cleaned (note anything that needs paint rather than cleaning)
• Carpets vacuumed; hard floors mopped

Patio, balcony and laundry

• Balcony or patio swept; no debris over the edge
• Washer and dryer wiped inside and out; lint trap cleared
• Garage or storage closet swept and emptied

For a longer, general version, see our move out cleaning checklist.

Booking a move-out clean in Austin with Cleanster

A Move-Out clean on Cleanster is built for empty homes and covers the inside of the appliances, cabinets and bathrooms. Book it through the Cleanster-App or see move-out cleaning in Austin:

1. Enter your Austin address, bedrooms, bathrooms and the date you need it done.
2. Choose Move-Out. The minimum booking is 2 hours, and the app suggests hours for your home.
3. Pick a background-checked cleaner. Every cleaner passes a full background check by ClearChecks and gives 3 or more references.
4. Add access notes: gate codes, lockbox, parking or elevator booking.

There are 1,100+ active cleaners in Austin on Cleanster, working across Travis County and nearby. Every booking has our 48-hour Happiness Guarantee, and support is open 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT. Moving into a new place? Book a deep clean there too, or see house cleaning in Austin, apartment cleaning in Austin Und all Cleanster services in Austin.

Austin move-out cleaning: FAQ

How much does a move-out clean cost in Austin?
A 2-hour move-out clean starts from $138 at our lowest hourly rate. Prices vary by location, home size and the condition of the unit. The app shows the full price before you book. See cleaning prices.

How long does a Texas landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after you surrender the unit, as long as you’ve given a written forwarding address. Deductions must be itemized in writing.

Does a move-out clean include the inside of the oven and fridge?
Yes. A Move-Out clean covers the inside of the appliances and cabinets in an empty home. A deep clean also includes inside the oven and fridge.

Will the cleaner remove furniture or trash?
No. Clear out furniture and trash first, using bulk collection or your complex’s dumpsters. Cleaning goes faster and more thoroughly in an empty unit.

When should I book for an August move-out near UT?
As early as possible. Late July and early August are the busiest weeks of the year in student neighborhoods.

What if something was missed before my inspection?
Contact support within 48 hours. Our 48-hour Happiness Guarantee covers every booking.

Laden Sie die Cleanster-App herunter oder book your Austin move-out clean online.