What a Move-Out Clean Costs in Orlando, FL

A professional move-out clean in Orlando typically runs about US$110 to US$350 for a studio to two-bedroom apartment and about US$300 to US$650 for a single-family house. Condition matters more than square footage: a unit with a greasy oven, soap scum, pet hair or mildew in the AC closet lands at the top of the range or above it. Ranges below are typical market figures, not fixed prices, and a written quote for your actual unit is the only number worth planning around.

Typical ranges by home size

These are common price bands for a standard move-out scope (inside the oven, fridge, cabinets and drawers, bathrooms, baseboards, window tracks, floors) in an empty unit:

Many companies price houses by area, often about US$0.20 to US$0.45 per square foot for a move-out scope. Apartments are more often quoted flat by bedroom count.

Florida extras that change the quote

Orlando rentals have a few features that cleaners in colder cities rarely see, and each one adds time.

Sliding glass doors and lanai screens. Most Orlando apartments and houses have at least one slider, and the tracks collect sand, grass, dead insects and wet grit. Screened lanais and pool enclosures add more: wiping the screen frames, sweeping the pavers or deck, cleaning the patio door glass inside and out. A screened lanai is often a line item of its own.

Mildew in humid spots. Bathroom ceilings, shower caulk, the air handler closet, window sills and the inside of closets on exterior walls are where mildew shows up when a unit sits closed with the AC off. Surface mildew on hard surfaces is part of a deep clean. Mold growth inside walls, under flooring or in ductwork is a remediation job, not cleaning, and should be reported to the landlord rather than wiped.

AC return vents and filters. Landlords often check the return grille and the filter slot. Dust and grime on the grille is cleaning work. Changing the filter is usually the tenant's job under the lease, so check what yours says and buy the right size before move-out day.

Pool homes. Interior cleaning companies generally do not service pools. If your lease makes the pool your responsibility, that is a separate pool service visit.

Pets and sand. Pet hair packed into carpet edges and tile grout, and sand tracked in from a summer of beach trips, both push time up. Heavy pet hair can add a noticeable surcharge.

Other things that raise or lower the price

• Condition at the start. A unit that was cleaned weekly costs far less to finish than one with a year of oven buildup and hard water rings.
• Empty or not. Cleaners work fastest in an empty unit. Furniture left behind slows the job and can block baseboards and floors.
• Add-ons. Carpet extraction, interior windows, inside the dishwasher and washer, wall spot-washing, garage sweep-out and blinds are often extra.
• Timing. End-of-month weekends book up first. Orlando sees heavy turnover around the UCF and Valencia academic calendars and in late spring, so a mid-month or weekday slot can be easier to get.
• Access. Gated communities and condo towers sometimes need a gate code, a parking pass or an elevator booking. Sorting these out ahead of time avoids lost time on site.

How Florida deposit law shapes the clean

Florida's rules for security deposits sit in section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes, part of the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. A few points matter most for move-out cleaning:

• No statutory cap. Florida does not limit the deposit amount, so deposits of one or two months' rent are common and there is real money at stake.
• 15 days or 30 days. After you vacate, a landlord who is not making a claim on the deposit must return it within 15 days. A landlord who intends to keep any part of it must send written notice by certified mail to your last known mailing address within 30 days, stating the reason for the claim.
• Your 15 days to object. Once you receive that notice, you have 15 days to object in writing. If you do not, the landlord may deduct the amount claimed.
• Normal wear and tear is not a cleaning charge. Faded paint, carpet worn in traffic lanes and minor scuffs from ordinary living are wear. Grease, grime, debris and pet mess left behind are the kind of thing a landlord can claim.

Florida law does not require a move-in inspection checklist, which is why your own photos and video at move-in carry so much weight. Read your lease too: some Orlando leases set out a specific cleaning standard or require professional carpet cleaning, and a lease term like that shapes what the landlord can claim. Give the landlord a forwarding address in writing so the 30 day notice actually reaches you. For anything beyond these basics, the Florida Bar and local legal aid offices publish tenant guides, and a lawyer can advise on a specific dispute.

What an Orlando walkthrough usually looks at

Property managers in Central Florida tend to check the same places. Work through these before the keys go back:

• Oven interior, racks and the range hood filter
• Fridge and freezer interior, including the drip pan area and door seals
• Inside cabinets and drawers, especially under the kitchen sink
• Tub, shower glass, grout and caulk lines
• Toilet base and behind the toilet
• Slider tracks, window sills and blinds
• AC return grille and the closet around the air handler
• Ceiling fan blades (a classic Florida miss)
• Baseboards and closet floors
• Lanai, patio or balcony

Shiftclair's move-out checklist is built around these inspection points. See the full move-out cleaning scope for what is included.

Doing it yourself or booking a crew

A tenant with a clean-ish one-bedroom, a free weekend and a good degreaser can often get a unit to inspection standard alone. Expect a full day for the oven, fridge, bathrooms and tracks. The case for hiring it out gets stronger with a larger home, heavy oven buildup, pets, a tight move-out window or a deposit large enough that a single cleaning deduction would cost more than the clean. Compare the quote with the landlord's typical cleaning charge, which is often higher than a direct booking.

If you book, ask for a written scope that lists the oven, fridge, cabinets, tracks and fans by name, and keep the invoice. It is useful if the condition of the unit is ever questioned.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a move-out cleaning in Orlando?

For a studio to two-bedroom apartment, typical quotes fall around US$110 to US$350, and a single-family house usually lands around US$300 to US$650. Heavy buildup, pets, a screened lanai or extras like carpet extraction push the price up. A quote based on your actual unit size and condition is the only reliable number.

How long does a Florida landlord have to return a security deposit?

Under section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes, a landlord who is not claiming anything must return the deposit within 15 days of the tenant vacating. A landlord who plans to keep some or all of it must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days explaining the claim. The tenant then has 15 days to object in writing.

Can an Orlando landlord charge for cleaning after you move out?

Yes, a landlord can claim cleaning costs from the deposit when a unit is left dirtier than normal use explains, such as a greasy oven, debris or pet mess. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged as cleaning. The claim has to follow the 30 day certified mail notice process.

Is mildew cleaning part of a move-out clean in Florida?

Surface mildew on hard surfaces like tile, caulk, sills and bathroom ceilings is usually part of a deep move-out clean. Mold that is spreading inside walls, under floors or in the AC system is a remediation issue. Report it to the landlord in writing rather than trying to clean it.

Get a written quote for your Orlando move

Tell us the size of the unit, the move-out date and anything unusual like pets or a lanai, and we will send back a written scope and price. Start on the quote form, or check typical prices on the cost guide and the Orlando service page.