Although you may be tempted to leave your old place all messy especially if your landlord has not treated you in a nice manner through the duration of your tenancy, the reality is that in order to get back your security deposit you will need to tidy up the old home. Even if your deposit isn’t promised to you after you move it, it would make good moral sense to tidy up the apt before you leaves. Not only that but it would also reflect good on you and your family as well. No matter what is offered, you should go to your landlord’s office and get a copy of your move-in or move-out inspection form from him.

On this form you will find a list of items that you would need to check off for damages and other things that are currently in the house that was not there when you moved in. Make the walkthrough with the landlord and together itemize the things that needs to be repaired that were damaged while you lived there. Offer to cover the expenses for the repair if you cannot hire someone in time before you move. Remember to move all old foodstuff, milk and juices from the refrigerator before you leave.

You can then use cleaning agents with a rag and clean each shelf in its entirety. Leave an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to guarantee freshness. Similarly remove stubborn stains from your oven with abrasive products such as Jif and the like. Steel wool products can also remove the stubborn stains from your oven as well.

Sweep and mop the floor as well as clean all tidy up all the sinks in the house. Cabinets are also susceptible to stains and they can easily be removed with a multi-purpose cleaner and a sponge. Surfaces like the kitchen counter tops and the sink top in the bathroom should also get some cleaning done to them.