Pennsylvania law gives landlords the right to deduct cleaning costs from your security deposit if a unit isn't returned in "broom-clean" or better condition. The reality in Scranton, Clarks Summit, and across NEPA: most landlords inspect more carefully than that. Here's exactly what they look for, room by room, and how to make sure you get every dollar of your deposit back.
Kitchen
Kitchen is where landlords find the most reasons to deduct. Be thorough.
- Inside the oven — racks removed and degreased, walls scrubbed, glass clean. Self-clean cycle is fine if your oven has it; otherwise plan for elbow grease.
- Stovetop — burners removed and washed, drip pans cleaned (or replaced — they're $5 at any hardware store), control knobs wiped.
- Microwave — inside and outside, plate removed and washed.
- Refrigerator — emptied, defrosted if needed, shelves removed and washed, drawers cleaned, door seals wiped, top of fridge dusted (landlords always check this).
- Dishwasher — filter removed and rinsed, racks wiped, door seals cleaned.
- Cabinets and drawers — emptied, inside and out wiped, drawer slides cleaned, handles polished.
- Counters — fully cleared, scrubbed, and disinfected.
- Sink — degreased, scrubbed, faucet polished, drain cleaned.
- Backsplash — grease removed, grout brushed if dirty.
- Floors — swept, mopped, baseboards wiped.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are the second-most-inspected room. Mold and mildew are deposit-killers in NEPA's humid summers — clean any visible black or pink staining around tubs, showers, and grout.
- Toilet — bowl, seat, base, behind the toilet (a frequently-skipped landlord check).
- Sink and vanity — drain cleared, faucet polished, inside drawers wiped.
- Mirror — streak-free.
- Shower / tub — soap scum removed from doors and walls, grout scrubbed, drain cleaned.
- Tile and grout — mildew removed, grout lines should be uniformly clean (consider regrouting if it's badly stained — landlord can charge for this).
- Exhaust fan — cover removed, dust cleaned (this is what landlords notice the moment they look up).
- Floors — mopped, baseboards wiped, behind-toilet area scrubbed.
Bedrooms
- Closets — emptied, shelves wiped, floors swept/vacuumed, door tracks cleaned.
- Walls — nail holes filled with white spackle (Walmart, $3), painted touch-ups if you have leftover paint or matching color (otherwise the landlord can charge for repaint of damaged walls).
- Carpet — vacuumed thoroughly. If there are stains, address them; landlords will charge for professional carpet cleaning if it's bad.
- Floors — vacuumed (carpet) or swept and mopped (hard surfaces).
- Windows — interior glass cleaned, sills wiped, blinds dusted (slat by slat), tracks cleaned.
Living rooms & common areas
- All surfaces dusted, including TV stands, mantles, bookshelves, ceiling fan blades.
- Light fixtures — covers removed, dust cleaned, bulbs replaced if any are out.
- Walls — same as bedrooms (spackle holes, touch up).
- Carpet — vacuumed; consider professional steam cleaning if it's been more than a year.
- Outlets and switch plates — wiped down (fingerprints accumulate over years).
- Baseboards — every room, scrubbed (not just spot-cleaned).
Whole-home items
- HVAC vents and returns — covers cleaned, replace the filter if it's been a while.
- Smoke detectors — confirm working, batteries replaced.
- Door tops — every door in the unit, dust the top edge (always-checked).
- Light fixtures — every room, bulbs working, covers cleaned.
- Patio / balcony / garage — swept, items removed.
- Trash — fully removed, bins clean.
- Walkthrough photos — take date-stamped photos of every room AFTER cleaning. This is your insurance if there's ever a deposit dispute.
What landlords actually inspect first
From dozens of NEPA move-out cleans we've done, these are the spots landlords zero in on within the first 5 minutes of walking in:
- Top of the refrigerator (if there's dust here, they assume the rest is rushed)
- Inside the oven and inside the dishwasher (the "you didn't really clean" tells)
- Bathroom exhaust fan covers (they look up)
- Behind the toilet (always)
- Inside cabinets and drawers (they open them)
- Window tracks (where dirt collects and never gets cleaned by tenants)
- Walls (especially around switches and door handles, where fingerprints build up)
- Carpet edges (where vacuums miss and dirt collects against walls)
Hit these eight spots and you've handled 90% of inspection deductions before they happen.
DIY vs. hiring it out
A typical 2-bedroom NEPA apartment takes one person 8-12 hours to properly move-out clean. A 3-bedroom takes 12-18 hours. If you're moving the same week, that's a major time commitment on top of packing, hauling, and starting the new place.
Hiring a NEPA cleaner for a move-out runs $300-$600 for most apartments and $400-$800 for houses (see our Scranton pricing guide). If your security deposit is more than $500 and you have any doubt about doing it perfectly, hiring it out is usually a wash financially — and saves you the time and the inspection-anxiety.
If you're DIY-ing it: print this checklist and tick boxes room by room. If you're hiring: our move-out clean hits every item on this list and we send a completion checklist with photos that you can forward to your landlord.
FAQ
How long do NEPA landlords have to return my security deposit?
Pennsylvania law gives landlords 30 days from move-out to return the deposit (or send an itemized list of deductions). If they don't respond within 30 days, you may be entitled to double the amount as a penalty under Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act. Always send your forwarding address in writing.
Can my landlord charge for normal wear and tear?
No — Pennsylvania law explicitly excludes normal wear and tear. They CAN charge for damage beyond normal wear (holes in walls, broken fixtures, pet damage) and for cleaning if the unit isn't returned in clean condition. The line between 'wear' and 'damage' is sometimes argued — photos help.
Should I do my own carpet cleaning before moving out?
Depends on the lease. Many NEPA leases require professional carpet cleaning at move-out — check yours. If required, a pro carpet clean for a 2-bedroom apartment runs $150-$250, much less than the landlord's deduction would be.
Do I need to fix nail holes in walls?
Spackle them with white spackle (cheap from any hardware store). For paint touch-ups, use leftover paint if the unit has any, or color-matched paint if you can find it. Landlords expect a few small nail holes; they'll deduct for unfilled holes or large damage.
What if I forgot to clean something and the landlord deducts?
If the deduction seems excessive, request the receipt for the cleaning service they used. PA law requires landlords to itemize deductions. If you have move-out photos showing the unit was clean, you have grounds to dispute via small claims court if needed.