Moving out of a rental in North Palm Beach is a lot of work. Boxes, movers, utilities, a new address. The last thing you want is to lose part of your deposit over a dirty oven.
Florida law sets clear deadlines for how your landlord handles your security deposit. Knowing them, and leaving the place truly clean, gives you the best shot at getting your money back.
This post is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your lease, talk to a Florida attorney.
How Florida’s Security Deposit Rules Work
Florida’s rules are in Section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes. Here’s the basic timeline after you move out.
15 days. If your landlord isn’t making a claim against your deposit, they have 15 days to return it.
30 days. If your landlord plans to keep some of it, they must send you written notice by certified mail within 30 days. The notice has to say why.
15 days to object. Once you get that notice, you have 15 days to object in writing. If you don’t, the landlord can take the amount they claimed and return the rest.
Two things matter here. First, keep your landlord updated with your new mailing address, since the notice goes by mail. Second, don’t ignore that letter. The 15-day window is short.
Why Cleaning Matters So Much
A landlord’s claim has to come with a reason. Dirt left behind can become that reason. It’s also one of the easiest problems to prevent.
A home that looks fine at a glance can still have problems up close:
A greasy stovetop and a dirty oven
Crumbs and spills inside the fridge
Dust on ceiling fans and blinds
Soap scum in the shower and tub
Marks on baseboards and light switches
Grime inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets
These spots are easy to see on a walkthrough. They’re also easy to skip when you’re tired and packing.
A Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for North Palm Beach Rentals
Use this list room by room. Do it after the furniture is out, so nothing is hidden.
Kitchen
Clean the stovetop, knobs and range hood
Clean inside the oven and microwave
Empty, wipe and dry the fridge and freezer
Wipe inside all cabinets and drawers
Scrub the sink and faucet
Wipe the counters and backsplash
Sweep and mop the floor
Bathrooms
Scrub the toilet, inside and out
Clean the tub, shower walls and glass
Wipe the mirror, sink and vanity
Wipe inside the cabinets and drawers
Mop the floor and wipe the baseboards
Every room
Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents
Wipe blinds and window sills
Clean interior windows
Wipe doors, door frames and light switches
Wipe the baseboards
Vacuum and mop the floors
Check closets for anything left behind
Before you hand back the keys
Take dated photos and video of every room
Take photos inside the oven, fridge and cabinets
Save your cleaning receipt if you hire help
Give your landlord your new mailing address in writing
Those photos matter. If there’s a dispute about the deposit, you’ll want proof of how you left the home.
It also helps to compare against your move-in photos or move-in inspection, if you have them. Normal wear from living in a home looks different from dirt that was never cleaned. Your photos help show which is which.
Make Sure You’re Booking a Real Move-Out Cleaning
One complaint we found in an online forum: a renter’s home was in move-out condition, but the job was booked as a regular maintenance clean. A routine clean isn’t built for an empty home. The house looks better, but the oven, cabinets and baseboards can still be dirty.
A move-out cleaning takes more time than a routine visit. The home is empty, every surface is exposed and the details are what get checked.
Before you book, ask:
Is this priced as a move-out cleaning or a regular cleaning?
Does it include inside the fridge, oven and cabinets?
Do you want photos before you quote?
A company that quotes a firm price without asking about the condition of the home is guessing.
Timing Your Move-Out Cleaning
The best time to clean is after the movers leave and before your final walkthrough.
Book early. Call as soon as you know your move-out date, so you get the day you want.
Leave a buffer. Plan the cleaning a day or two before you return the keys, if your lease allows.
Keep the utilities on. Cleaning is much harder without water and lights. Schedule shutoffs for after the cleaning is done.
Be ready to share access. You don’t have to be there while the home is cleaned. Just plan how the team gets in.
Move-Out Cleaning in North Palm Beach With Neat and Repeat Cleaning
Our Palm Beach Gardens office is just up the road from North Palm Beach. If you’d rather spend your last days packing than scrubbing, our team can handle the clean.
Here’s what you get:
W-2 employees. Every technician is background-checked, bonded and insured, and we carry workers’ comp on every one.
Real training. Technicians finish the ISSA Certified Professional Housekeeper course and our own training before they work in a client’s home.
Interior windows. Our Palm Beach Gardens branch cleans interior windows, not exterior.
Phone quotes. For most homes, we can quote over the phone. Homes over 5,000 square feet get a visit first.
English and Spanish. Our team speaks both.
See what’s included in our move-out cleaning in Palm Beach Gardens, or learn more about our house cleaning in North Palm Beach.
Moving into a new place nearby too? Our move-in cleaning gets the next home ready before your boxes arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit in Florida?
If there’s no claim, 15 days. If your landlord wants to keep part of it, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days after you move out.
Do I need to be home for the move-out cleaning?
No. Tell us how the team gets in, and we’ll take it from there.
Do you do move-out cleaning in North Palm Beach?
Yes. Our Palm Beach Gardens office serves North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Singer Island and the rest of north Palm Beach County.
Should I clean it myself or hire a cleaner?
That’s up to you. If you clean it yourself, use the checklist above and take photos when you’re done. If you hire help, keep the receipt with your move-out records.
Do you clean outside windows?
No. Our Palm Beach Gardens branch cleans interior windows only.
Book Your Move-Out Cleaning
Give yourself one less thing to worry about on moving day. Call Neat and Repeat Cleaning at (561) 245-3839. A real person will answer, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
