Tenant moving out. Need list of items to give their deposit back

[Dan Earl]

Could anyone please share or point to where I can get a template or list of items that need to be done by the tenant before they move out in order to get their deposit back? I greatly appreciate it since I have never had to inspect in order to determine how much should be given back from their deposit. 

Thanks a lot. 

[John Underwood]

It is pretty simple.

Clean everything.

Professionally clean carpets if applicable and provide receipt (your lease or addendum) should say this)

That include stove inside and out and new drip pans if applicable

fridge - empty and clean

bathrooms

ceiling fans

No trash left behind

Blinds if provided clean and in good shape.

It is just common sense stuff.

I so rarely have to give back a deposit due to people breaking the lease.

If some one leaves at end of lease after giving proper notice (per lease) they try really hard to get their deposit back  and I usually don't beat them up or stupid stuff. 

My deposit is more than one months rent so the good tenants (or non deadbeats) will pay that last months rent instead of trying to use their deposit to cover the last month and make at least a good attempt to clean up the property to get that large deposit back.

If they did a poor job then I take pictures and send them a letter with some of the pictures withholding a standard cleaning fee and also withhold fees for repairs. I can just attach receipts of what it costs to do any repairs. This all needs to be done within 30 days after they move out. Per my State, check you state and local laws.

They need to provide a forwarding address to send them back any or all of their deposit.

If they don't provide a forwarding address send them this letter and check if applicable to last know address, delivery confirmation or certified is a good idea. They may have their mail forwarded if not it will come back to you as if certified.

If they complain they never got it you have proof you sent it to their best know address.

I have had people break lease and still clean house thinking they will get their deposit back. I never confirm nor deny this during the move out phase. Sometimes I give them some of it but never all of it. I phrase any money I send them as an allowance but not a deposit refund of any kind. I tell them that since they broke the lease they are not entitled to any deposit back (see lease section x) but since they did a reasonably good job cleaning up the house here is an allowance back from their deposit as a token of my good will.