Chicago Lease Turnover: What You Need to Know
Chicago's lease culture is unique: most annual leases run September 1 to August 31, with a smaller peak on August 1. This concentrates an enormous volume of move-outs into a 6-week window. For move-out cleaning, this means:
- July 15-August 5: Heavy demand for late-July move-outs
- August 25-September 5: Peak demand -- book at least 2-3 weeks ahead
- Same-week availability is not guaranteed during peak season
Chicago landlords are also notoriously specific about cleaning requirements. The Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is tenant-friendly, but cleaning deductions are commonly upheld when justified. A professional move-out cleaning is one of the best investments to protect your deposit.
Book move-out cleaning: /services/move-cleaning/.
Kitchen Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
The kitchen is the most inspected room. Landlords look closely at:
- Oven: Clean inside completely. Remove racks and clean separately. Degrease oven door glass inside and out. This is the most common deduction item.
- Refrigerator: Remove all food. Clean all shelves, drawers, and door bins. Clean door seal. Wipe exterior. Defrost if needed.
- Dishwasher: Clean interior, door seal, and filter.
- Microwave: Clean inside, outside, and above-range if applicable. Clean exhaust filter.
- Stovetop: Remove and clean all burners and grates. Clean drip pans.
- Cabinets: Clean inside all cabinets and drawers. Wipe all exteriors.
- Backsplash: Remove all grease and food splatter.
- Sink: Scrub sink and faucet. Remove calcium deposits.
- Floors: Sweep, then mop including corners and under appliances.
Bathroom Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
- Toilet: Clean inside bowl, rim jets, under rim, exterior, base, and around base. Behind the toilet.
- Shower/Tub: Scrub all tile surfaces. Clean grout. Remove soap scum and calcium deposits. Clean showerhead.
- Sink: Scrub sink, faucet, and drain. Remove toothpaste and calcium deposits.
- Mirror: Clean completely. No streaks.
- Vanity: Clean exterior and interior of all cabinets.
- Floor: Scrub floor including behind toilet and in corners.
- Exhaust fan: Remove cover and clean interior.
- Walls and tiles: Wipe down all wall surfaces and grout lines.
Bedrooms & Living Areas Move-Out Checklist
Every Room:
- Remove all personal belongings and furniture
- Vacuum all carpet thoroughly (consider professional carpet cleaning for stained carpet)
- Sweep and mop all hard floors
- Wipe all baseboards
- Clean all windows (interior)
- Clean window sills and tracks
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean all closets (interior, shelves, floor)
- Clean light switches and outlet covers
- Remove all nails and patch holes (landlord typically charges for this)
- Clean door knobs and door frames
Walls: Spot-clean visible marks with appropriate product for paint type. Major damage beyond normal wear requires spackle and paint matching.
After Move-Out Cleaning: Final Landlord Walkthrough
After your professional cleaning, prepare for the landlord walkthrough:
- Take timestamped photos of every room, every appliance interior, and all surfaces after cleaning
- Keep your cleaning receipt (Chicago Cleaning Pros provides documentation of all work performed)
- Return all keys, fobs, and parking passes at or before the walkthrough
- Be present during the walkthrough if possible -- address any concerns on the spot
- Know your rights under the Chicago RLTO: landlords must provide an itemized list of deductions within 30 days
Common landlord inspection focus points:
- Oven (most common deduction)
- Refrigerator interior
- Carpet stains (beyond normal wear)
- Bathroom grout and tile
- Walls (major stains or damage beyond normal wear)
Hiring a professional move-out cleaning service gives you documentation and a professional standard that reduces the risk of unjustified deductions. Call (872) 758-0278 to book your move-out cleaning.