The Ultimate End of Tenancy Cleaning Guide

The thrill of moving into a new place can quickly dissipate when you figure out how many things you need to do beforehand. The list of tasks is endless – preparing your stuff, packing boxes, renting porters to help you move everything out. Oftentimes, end of tenancy cleaning can be neglected while it should be among the top priorities!

What to focus on when cleaning before moving out of your rental property?

Some renters forget that in most, if not all, of the lease agreements, it is stipulated that the property must be left in the same condition as they found it. Even if they have taken good care of it, leaving no scratch, the poor cleaning state of the home would be reasonable enough to not get your security deposit back.

You really don’t want to lose your money this way, right? We’ve got you covered! Read the whole article to find out tips on what to focus on when doing the end of tenancy cleaning.

What is the significance of apartment move-out cleaning?

When moving out of your rental property, you need to clean every room, empty every cabin, scrub every surface, check all electronics, vacuum, and refresh all the dusty areas. Basically, you need to leave the place sparkling clean and ready for the new tenants to move in.

By doing this, you will show respect to your landlords, making sure they can give you a reference in the future if needed, and you will comply with the lease agreement so that they will return you all of the deposit you gave. The end-of-tenancy cleaning will take some effort but will save you all the drama and hassle with the landlord.

DIY or hire a professional cleaning service?

It is all up to you! If the property had been regularly maintained, you could do it yourself. However, if you’re concerned that you cannot clean the entire place yourself, you should consider hiring a service to do a deep clean for you. Professional cleaners have the proper equipment and use gentle detergents. They know how to fix the damage without risk. Using their help is a good idea if you don’t want to risk ruining something that will cost you more than paying for their services.

Where do you start from?

It doesn’t matter if you choose the company or do it by yourself, start by moving all your personal belongings beforehand. Clothes, toiletries, video games, the food from the fridge, everything should get out. It will be much easier and more convenient to clean up empty spaces.

If you decide to do the work without a cleaning agency, then continue by creating a to-do list for each room, so you don’t miss anything. After you’ve listed all the work you need to do, make sure you have all the detergent and tools you need to get the work done. 

Once the cleaning is done, walk around and check all the areas again. If you hired a cleaning service, make sure they did a good job. In case you notice any problems, contact the company right away. If you are happy with their work, then give them a positive review to help future clients. 

And lastly, a Pro-tip! Here we have some very good advice we need to give you. Take pictures of the entire space before moving out. These photos can be a piece of evidence in case the landlords accuse you of damages that were made after you left.

Read again all the documents and agreements you signed, and if you tick all the boxes, your job is well done, and your security deposit must be back in your bank account soon.

The final step, schedule a move-out inspection:

After you’ve moved your stuff away and made sure the property is cleaned, schedule a final meeting with your landlord or property manager. They need to check the condition of the property. 

Make sure you will be able to join them for this visit. Once this is done, you will know for sure whether you have your money back. Hopefully, everything will be fine, and you will be free to close this chapter of your life and move on to the next exciting one!

What to do if your landlord doesn’t want to give back your deposit?

In case your landlord makes excuses to not refund some or all of your security deposit, you can take a few steps. Start by requesting a written explanation from them – this way, you will know their reasons and have a piece of evidence to use in case they lie. If they claim they found damage, ask them to provide you with pictures. As you also made pictures before moving out, you can compare those and easily make a statement on the issue. 

The cleaning company can also help you, as they can provide documentation of the condition of the rented property after their services are done. This is also useful evidence in case your landlord tries to trick you. Hopefully, situations like this will not happen, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared! 

Delegating end-of-tenancy cleaning to professional services will help you save time and make the process of moving out less stressful. Think wisely, and if you consider a professional clean can do the cleaning much better than you will. If this will help you get your money back, it will be worth the investment. The cost of their services will be significantly less than your deposit. 

Make sure to find a reputable cleaning company. Having years of experience, we know how to exceed your expectations if you give us your trust. Our professionals will be happy to support you and do all the work!