March 18, 2026

End-of-Lease Cleaning: What Landlords in NYC Usually Look For

Getting your security deposit back can be one of the most nerve-racking parts of moving out of your New York City apartment.

You may think that you’ve returned the apartment to the state it was before you moved in, but the landlord may have other ideas. While it is up to the landlord’s discretion, there are some cleaning steps you can take to maximize your odds of getting back your security deposit.

Below, we’ll discuss what landlords usually look for so you can prepare for your end of lease cleaning. We’ll also break down what constitutes regular wear and tear and damage. If the job feels too daunting, you can always engage with a professional cleaning service to help with your move out clean.

How to Clean When Moving Out

Giving your notice is only the first step. Now, you have to prepare for your move, and that includes cleaning your apartment. While it can feel like an overwhelming task, there are common elements landlords look to when assessing how clean your apartment is after moving out.

Remove Your Personal Belongings

This should go without saying, but one of the first things to do during your move out clean is to pack and remove your personal belongings. This means everything. If you leave things behind that weren’t there before, your landlord may dock your deposit for the hassle of needing to remove them.

There are some exceptions to the rule. Ask your landlord if they are interested in an item being left behind. As long as they give you permission, it will not be held against you. Sometimes landlords may even pay you to leave furnishing or TVs.

If you don’t want to move with an item, ask them. If they say no, take the items with you or try to give them away. Don’t just leave it. The first thing your landlord will notice when they walk in the space is how much stuff you’ve left behind. And, as a bonus, having all items out of the space makes it much easier to clean if you do it at the jump.

Deep Clean the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used spots in any NYC apartment, and as a result, it can also become one of the dirtiest. Even if you’ve kept up with light surface cleaning, you want to deep clean the space to remove any caked on grime.

Clean the inside and outside of all appliances. That can include the oven, microwave, fridge, and more. Remove all traces of food, dirt, and other grime.
Degrease the oven and surrounding areas. Walls can easily collect grease if you’re a messy cook, so be sure to look around the oven for areas you need to degrease.
Clean out the cabinets. Remove all items from the cabinets, including food, dishes, and other items. Then, wipe down the inside and the outside. Get all debris out. You may even want to take a small vacuum to the nooks and crannies to remove it all.
Wipe down windows and windowsills. NYC has a lot of pollution that can make your windows and window sills dirty over time.

Once you’re all done cleaning everything in the kitchen, do one last clean and sweep of the floors to remove any debris you may have knocked down.

Sanitize the Bathroom

The bathroom can be one of the dirtiest places in any apartment. Mold and mildew can quickly build up due to the constant moisture. If you haven’t kept up with it, get ready to start scrubbing.

Shower/bath: Wipe down walls and hardware. Remove any mildew and mold from corners and shelving. Scrub the tile grout and floor to remove any built-up dirt and stains. Clean any glass doors or throw away dirty shower curtains.
Toilet: Wipe down the inside and the outside of the toilet. Scrub off any built-up grime and remove any hard water stains.
Mirror/vanity: Clean all surfaces and remove any stains. Make sure to get under any surface lips and dust the mirror frame and any lighting. Dust and remove all items inside the drawers, cabinets, etc.
Floors: Mop the floors and sweep up any remaining debris.

Most NYC apartment bathrooms are small, but don’t let that fool you. They can be a big job.

Floors and Walls

The floors and walls are another big element that landlords will check out. There are many things that can happen to these areas outside normal wear and tear that lead to damage.

Wall hangings: If you’ve put nails in the wall, you’ll need to patch and remove them. Even temporary hooks can cause damage, so be careful. Touch up the paint where needed.
Repainting: If you painted the walls, you likely need to return them to normal. You can also check with your landlord if they will allow you to leave it. Some may, if you received their permission prior to painting. If you did it without asking, it’s often best to repaint.
Baseboards: Baseboards can attract a lot of dust and dirt, so make sure to clean your baseboards prior to moving out. Secure any that have loosened over time.
Floor: Clean all floors. You should sweep up any dirt and dust before steaming or mopping them. Do not over-saturate the floors. Otherwise, you could damage them, leading to mold, warping, and other damage.
Dust: Dust everything – ceilings, walls, fans, heaters, etc. Any surface should be dusted to remove any dust bunnies.

Wipe down the walls, door handles, doors, etc. These small touches make a big difference.

Remove All Trash

Just like you want to remove all your personal belongings at the start of your move-out clean, you also want to remove all trash at the end.

Nothing should be left in the apartment once you are done. Empty any trash and recycling bins. Leave any trash-related items that you got with the apartment behind. Do not take any bins that you have not personally purchased.

If the space is clean and free from trash, you are more likely to get back your security deposit.

Difference between Normal Wear and Tear and Damage

Apartments will deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. This is normal. However, that deterioration happens more quickly due to silly mistakes or negligence. When that happens, it becomes damaged, and that may cause you to lose out on your security deposit.

Here are some scenarios to help you understand the difference.

Walls: Paint may fade or chip over time. This is normal. However, large holes in the wall or missing swatches because of the removal of posters or wallpaper are damaged.
Carpet: Carpet will naturally get worn down as people walk in the same areas. However, it becomes damaged if there are holes, burn marks, and large stains.
Fixtures: Light fixtures can get bent or dirty over time; however, if they are broken or removed without consent, that is damage.

Essentially, if something breaks or gets damaged with normal use, that is typically covered by landlords as normal wear and tear. If the tenant breaks something deliberately or by accident, that is damage and will be removed from your deposit.

Let The Professionals Handle Your Move Out Clean

You already have a lot to worry about when you are moving out of your apartment, don’t let cleaning be one more thing. Instead, call in the experts at White Glove Cleaner. Our professional cleaning services can get your NYC apartment back to move-in ready in no time.
We can help you deep clean, dust, and everything in between to help you get your security deposit back when you’re ready to move. Contact us to discuss your options and get your move-out clean on the books today.

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