What does move-out cleaning cost in LA?
LA move-out cleaning for a standard apartment runs $180 to $500, depending on unit size and condition. Here's the typical breakdown:
| Unit Size | Basic Move-Out Clean | Deep Move-Out Clean (Deposit-Back) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $150-$200 | $225+ (TurnOver LA package) |
| 1BR | $200-$280 | $255+ (TurnOver LA package) |
| 2BR | $280-$400 | $335+ (TurnOver LA package) |
| 3BR+ | $400-$600 | $425+ (TurnOver LA package) |
The gap between "basic" and "deep" is what matters: basic move-out cleans skip the oven interior, under the fridge, baseboards, and window tracks — the exact spots landlords inspect first and deduct for.
What's included in LA move-out cleaning?
Kitchen
- Oven interior + racks + broiler
- Range hood + vent filter degreasing
- Refrigerator pull-out + coil clean
- Dishwasher sanitize cycle
- Countertops, backsplash, grout
- Inside cabinets and drawers
Bathroom
- Shower tile + grout descaling
- Faucet + drain mineral removal
- Exhaust fan blade cleaning
- Re-caulking if yellowed or cracked
- Toilet deep sanitation
Living spaces
- Baseboards + door frames
- Outlet and switch covers
- Ceiling fans and fixtures
- Window tracks, screens, glass
- Carpet steam clean or hardwood polish
- Closet interiors and shelving
California deposit rules (who pays?)
California Civil Code §1950.5 governs security-deposit deductions in LA. The key rules:
- Normal wear and tear is not deductible. Minor scuff marks, slight carpet traffic wear, and faded paint from sun exposure all qualify as normal wear — landlords cannot charge tenants for these.
- Excessive dirt IS deductible. Grease build-up on the stove, mildew in the shower, heavy pet stains, trash left behind — all can be deducted from the deposit with proper documentation.
- Landlords must itemize. Any deduction requires a written, itemized statement with receipts or invoices within 21 days of move-out.
- Photo evidence protects everyone. Move-in and move-out photos dramatically reduce disputes and give both parties a clean record if it goes to small claims.
Tenants: how to get your full deposit back
- Book professional move-out cleaning 2-3 days before you move. A $200-$300 clean saves $500-$1,500 in deposit deductions for most LA apartments.
- Photograph everything after cleaning. Date-stamped photos of oven interior, fridge behind, bathroom grout, and window tracks protect you if the landlord deducts anyway.
- Keep the cleaning invoice. Attach it to your forwarding address request so the landlord has written proof you paid for professional cleaning.
- Request the move-out walk-through. Under California law, you have the right to an initial inspection up to two weeks before move-out. Use it — you get a list of what the landlord wants fixed and can address it before you lose the deposit.
Landlords: how to avoid move-out disputes
- Use a documented turnover checklist (our 150-point version here).
- Photograph every room before move-in and keep those photos in your tenant file. Photos prevent 80% of disputes.
- Itemize every deduction with a dated, written statement within 21 days of move-out. Keep receipts and invoices.
- Use a single vendor for move-out cleaning and repairs so invoices are clean and defensible in small claims court. Line-item invoices from 3 different vendors look sloppy and are easier to challenge.
Why LA landlords use TurnOver LA for move-out cleaning
Our flat-rate packages cover every line item a California deposit dispute can touch: oven interior, fridge behind, window tracks, baseboards, bathroom grout, carpet steam cleaning, and full photo documentation at 12 inspection points. One invoice, one phone number, one vendor that shows up on the Yelp review of your building.