Haul everything that isn't nailed down
Landlords deduct for left-behind furniture and trash first. Anything you're not taking — the busted couch, the patio set, the bags in the garage — has to physically leave. A small junk haul is cheaper than a deposit deduction.
Don't forget the patio and balcony
Outdoor areas are part of the unit and a common deduction. Sweep the patio or balcony, clear the cobwebs, and remove any planters or junk you left out there.
Clear and sweep the garage
An empty, swept garage reads as 'cared for.' Haul the boxes and oil-stained cardboard, sweep the slab, and knock the cobwebs down so it shows clean on the walk-through.
Document the exterior with photos
Take dated before/after photos of the yard, patio, and garage. If a landlord disputes the deposit, photo proof of the condition you left is your strongest defense in an Arizona deposit claim.
Whoever cleans the unit last keeps the deposit. If you're out of time on moving day, a move-out cleanup (from $150) hauls the leftovers, clears the patio and garage, and hands you the before/after photos for your claim.
Updated 2026-06-05.