How to Move Out the Right Way (And Get Your Full Deposit Back)
Moving out is the last chance to get everything right — your deposit back in full, and a landlord reference that actually helps you the next time you apply somewhere. Both come down to the same thing: doing move-out the way it's supposed to be done, instead of treating it as an afterthought once you've already moved on mentally.
Here's how to actually get there.
Give Proper Notice, In Writing
Check your lease for the exact notice period required — often 30 or 60 days — and give it in writing, not just a verbal heads-up. Giving less notice than required can cost you money and immediately puts the relationship on the wrong foot right at the point when you need it to be strong.
Schedule the Move-Out Inspection
Ask for a move-out inspection, ideally one you can be present for. This is your opportunity to walk through the unit alongside whoever's assessing its condition, ask questions in real time, and understand exactly what's being noted before you're gone and unable to weigh in.
Clean Like You're Trying to Impress Someone
A genuinely clean unit goes a long way. Wipe down all surfaces, clean inside appliances (oven, refrigerator, microwave), vacuum and mop all flooring, clean windows and mirrors, and don't forget easy-to-miss spots like baseboards, light fixtures, and behind appliances if they're movable. "Broom clean" is not the same as clean — and the difference is often exactly what separates a full deposit return from a cleaning deduction.
Handle Repairs You're Responsible For
Patch nail holes, touch up paint if needed and allowed under your lease, replace any burnt-out lightbulbs, and fix anything you caused that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Small fixes you handle yourself are almost always cheaper than the same fix billed against your deposit.
Remove Everything — Including Trash
A unit left with abandoned furniture, trash, or belongings often gets a removal charge deducted from the deposit. Do a genuinely final walkthrough of every closet, cabinet, and storage area before you hand back the keys.
Return All Keys, Remotes, and Access Items
Garage door openers, mailbox keys, extra copies of house keys — all of it. Missing items typically come with a rekeying or replacement charge, and it's an easy, avoidable deduction.
Document the Unit Yourself Before You Leave
Take your own photos and videos of every room right before you leave, the same way it should have been documented at move-in. If there's ever a disagreement about a deduction, your own timestamped documentation is the best protection you have.
Provide a Forwarding Address
Make sure your landlord has a current address to send your deposit and any itemized deductions to. This isn't optional — most states require it for the deposit return timeline to even start, and it's an easy thing to forget in the chaos of moving.
Leave the Relationship on Good Terms
This is the part people underestimate. How you communicate during the move-out process — responsive, cooperative, easy to reach — becomes exactly what a future landlord hears about when they call for a reference. "Would you rent to them again?" is one of the most common questions asked of a previous landlord, and the honest answer to that question is shaped heavily by how the move-out went, not just how the tenancy went overall.
A tenant who gives proper notice, leaves the unit clean, communicates well, and handles the process professionally is remembered as exactly that kind of tenant — and that reference can genuinely be the difference between winning or losing your next competitive application.
The Bottom Line
Getting your full deposit back and a strong reference isn't about luck or a lenient landlord. It's the direct result of a move-out handled the same way a good tenancy should be handled the whole way through: organized, communicative, and thorough.
Moving out and looking for your next place?
Blair Allen Property Management manages rentals across South Dakota, Montana, and Arizona. If you're a current tenant preparing to move, reach out — we're happy to walk you through our process.
Chris Twiggs President, Blair Allen Property Management 📞 605-545-1218 ✉️ chris@blairallen.com