Moving Into An Apartment As-Is: What To Clean And Document Before You Unpack

Document first, clean second

When an apartment is handed over as-is, the instinct is to start scrubbing immediately. Pause first. Take photos and video before you move boxes in and before you wipe anything down.

You want a record of the condition you received, especially if there are stains, damaged blinds, dirty appliances, bugs, water marks, odors, or old residue inside cabinets.

What to photograph before unpacking

• Entry, floors, walls, baseboards, closets, windows, blinds, doors, and any visible damage.
• Inside the refrigerator, freezer, oven, microwave, dishwasher, cabinets, drawers, and pantry.
• Bathroom toilet, tub or shower, sink, vanity, mirror, grout, floor corners, and exhaust fan cover.
• Anything that looks dirty enough to become a future dispute.

Report serious issues in writing

Cleaning is not the same as accepting every condition silently. If something is broken, unsafe, heavily stained, or unusually dirty, send a concise note through the resident portal or email. Attach photos and ask what will be corrected.

For habitability, pests, mold, leaks, or legal questions, check local tenant rules or speak with a qualified professional. This guide is focused on practical cleaning and documentation.

Clean the apartment in the right order

Once documentation is done, clean top to bottom and dry to wet. Dust and debris fall, so floors should usually be last.

• Dust reachable vents, ceiling corners, shelves, cabinet tops, blinds, and window sills.
• Wipe cabinet interiors, drawers, handles, switches, doors, thermostat, and appliance handles.
• Clean kitchen surfaces and appliance interiors before dishes or food go inside.
• Clean the bathroom before towels, toiletries, and bath mats move in.
• Vacuum and mop floors last.

Where a move-in cleaner helps most

A move-in cleaner is useful when the apartment is empty but your schedule is full. The best window is before furniture arrives, because cabinets, floors, closets, appliance sides, and bathroom corners are easier to reach.

In Chicago-area apartments, this is especially helpful when elevator reservations, mover windows, lease start dates, and work schedules all land in the same two days.

What to leave for management

Do not use cleaning to cover damage that management should see. If the issue is a broken drawer, stained carpet, missing screen, cracked tile, old water damage, or appliance problem, document it and leave a clear note. Clean around it as needed, but keep the record.