Get Your Full Security Deposit Back

Move Out Cleaning Services - Get Your Full Security Deposit Back

Why Tenants Choose Sylvia Cleaning for Move-Out Cleaning

Your security deposit represents hundreds or thousands of dollars you can't afford to lose, especially when you're facing move-in costs for your next place. Landlords and property management companies in Chapel Hill are notoriously thorough during final inspections they check baseboards for dust, appliances for grime, carpets for stains, bathrooms for any sign of soap scum or mildew, and kitchen cabinets for crumbs or spills. One missed detail can cost you $50-$150 in deductions, and multiple oversights can mean losing your entire deposit.

Sylvia Cleaning's move-out service is specifically designed around typical lease cleaning requirements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. We've worked with tenants from hundreds of apartment complexes and rental properties including those managed by Fitch Creations, Swain Properties, Ram Realty, and other major Chapel Hill property managers. We know their standards and clean to exceed them. Our checklist includes every item typically found in lease cleaning addendums, from inside appliances to behind toilets to inside closets and everything in between.

Many clients tell us they attempted to clean themselves first, spending an entire weekend scrubbing, only to realize they're not making the progress needed to pass inspection. Professional equipment makes a huge difference our commercial-grade vacuums, steam cleaners, and specialized cleaning solutions tackle built-up grime that household products can't touch. We complete in 4-6 hours what would take you 12-15 hours of backbreaking work, and we do it more thoroughly because we have the right tools, products, and years of experience.

Real Example: Last month, a UNC graduate student called us three days before her lease ended. She'd spent two full days cleaning her 2-bedroom apartment but knew it wasn't spotless enough to pass her property manager's inspection. We completed a comprehensive move-out clean for $260, and she received her full $1,200 security deposit back two weeks later. The $260 investment saved her $1,200 that's a 361% return on investment that any tenant can appreciate.

Flexible Scheduling for Your Moving Timeline

Moving rarely goes exactly as planned. Your closing date gets pushed back, your moving truck arrives late, you're juggling work commitments right up until move-out day, or unexpected issues arise that consume your cleaning time. Sylvia Cleaning works around your schedule, not the other way around. We offer morning, afternoon, and even evening appointments to fit your needs. Need us to clean while you're loading the moving truck? We can do that. Need us to return for a final touch-up after you've removed the last items? We offer that flexibility too.

For tenants with unpredictable schedules, we can typically accommodate changes with 24-48 hours notice. We understand that move-out dates sometimes shift due to closing delays or lease complications, and we're flexible because we remember how stressful moving can be. Just communicate with us about schedule changes as soon as you know, and we'll adjust your appointment accordingly without penalty fees or frustration.

Approved by Chapel Hill Property Managers

We've built strong relationships with property management companies throughout Chapel Hill because our consistent quality means their tenant turnovers go smoothly. While we can't guarantee deposit return (that's ultimately a decision between you and your landlord), we can tell you that the vast majority of our move-out cleaning clients report receiving their full deposits back or only minor deductions for issues beyond cleaning scope, such as carpet wear, nail holes, or paint touch-ups.

Some property managers even recommend us directly to their outgoing tenants because they know our work meets their strict standards. This is the ultimate endorsement when property managers trust us to prepare units for re-rental, you know you're hiring a company that understands exactly what's required. Several Chapel Hill property management companies keep our business cards on hand to give tenants who ask for cleaning service recommendations.

What Gets Tenants' Deposits Withheld

Based on hundreds of move-out cleanings in Chapel Hill, here are the most common cleaning issues that result in security deposit deductions:

• Dirty oven and stovetop - This is #1. Baked-on grease and food residue in ovens commonly costs tenants $75-150 in deductions.

• Refrigerator not cleaned - Food spills, sticky shelves, and odors result in $50-100 deductions.

• Soap scum and mildew in bathrooms - Shower walls, tub rings, and grout issues cost $50-75 per bathroom.

• Dirty baseboards - Often overlooked but always inspected. Can cost $50-100 property-wide.

• Window tracks and sills - Accumulated dirt and dead bugs in tracks costs $25-50.

• Kitchen cabinets and drawers - Crumbs, stickiness, and grime inside cabinets costs $50-75.

• Carpets not vacuumed properly - Visible dirt, pet hair, or stains costs $100-300 (often requires professional carpet cleaning).

• Appliance exteriors - Fingerprints, grease, and grime on refrigerators and dishwashers costs $25-50.

Our move-out cleaning addresses every single one of these common problem areas. We don't miss the details that cost you money.