A Facilities Manager's Checklist for Lease-End Decommissioning

Landlord walkthroughs at lease end tend to follow a predictable sequence. Knowing it in advance means fewer surprises and fewer back charges.

Cabling and IT infrastructure are checked first. Landlords generally expect data and power cabling installed by the tenant removed back to base building standard, unless your lease says otherwise. Confirm this clause before decommissioning starts.

Wall and floor condition come next. Furniture removal that scuffs walls or damages flooring is one of the most common sources of end-of-lease disputes. Crews should use floor protection and corner guards as standard practice, not an upsell.

Fixture and millwork removal is checked against the original tenant improvement plan. Anything installed during your tenancy that wasn't part of base building typically needs to come out, unless the landlord has agreed in writing to keep it.

Final cleaning is the last check. Broom-clean is the industry standard baseline; some leases require professional cleaning. Confirm which applies before your decommission crew leaves the site for the last time.

Keep photos at every stage: before removal, during, and the final broom-clean state. It's the single easiest way to resolve a disputed damage claim without an argument.