homeowner wiping the floor

End of lease cleaning checklist

Here’s a guide to thoroughly cleaning your home before moving out.

Hire an end of lease cleaner

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Last updated on August 21, 2023


Trying to plan out how to make your end of lease cleaning as painless as possible? Don’t fret about the dirty work; this checklist has everything you need to make moving out of your rental home a breeze. 

A quick run-through of these items will help you map out what you can do or whether you should hire an end of lease cleaner to help get everything spick and span. Plus, you won’t have to stretch yourself too thin to get your bond back. 

Before starting your end of lease cleaning task

a woman writing a calendar reminder end of lease cleaning

Prioritise the order of your cleaning tasks as it makes sense to you. This house cleaning move out checklist can help you navigate your move and works from the most complex clean to the easiest clean, but feel free to tailor your to-dos however best it would suit you.

The key to an effective end of lease clean is getting everything in your old place looking as good as it was when you started leasing. 

You’ll also want to do to review your bond and cleaning rules for tenants. See if any stipulations like carpet vacuuming, counter cleaning, or rubbish removal can pile up on charges if they aren’t accomplished. If all the paperwork is good, you can kick off your cleaning! 

Checklist for end of lease cleaning

This end of lease cleaning checklist will help you map out what tasks are the most important to tick off.

Deep clean the wash areas

Make sure to cover toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks. Ensure that the grout and drains are as clog-free as possible. Scrub the faucets, sinks, and toilet bowls until they’re sparkling.


 Keep the walls free from holes

If you’ve hammered nails into the walls for decor or added fixtures like hooks and racks that weren’t previously built into the space, clear them out and patch them up.


 Repaint walls to the original colour

Depending on whether you’ve changed your apartment’s colours, you’ll need to bring it back to its initial colour when you moved in. If you’re unsure of the exact paint colour you need after patching up holes, you can always bring a sample to the paint store for a custom match. In case your landlord is alright about maintaining the new colour, make sure you get this agreement in writing for proper documentation to avoid any issues at inspection. 


 Ensure appliances are as clean as possible

Appliances like the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and anything else that came with the apartment need a good scrub down. These items are the most prone to dirt and are most likely overlooked for regular cleaning.

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 Dust off all the fixtures

If you’re not one to clean every nook and cranny in your place, like light fixtures, high cabinets, and ceiling fans, you may want to do it before you move out. Check if there’s anything that needs minor reparations. 


 Clean your windows, mirrors, and doors

This might seem like a minor concern. However, taking the time to ensure that these things are spotless makes an impact. Make sure you’re able to get the blinds and window sills too.


 Do a full sweep, mop, and vacuum of all your floors

In this case, it’s not enough to just sweep. Mopping and vacuuming your hardwood and tiles is essential, especially if you have pets. Animal dander is bound to be spread across your floors. Don’t forget to reach the spaces under furniture that you’re taking with you for the move.

  • Double-check your perishables. See if the items in your fridge and cupboards are way past the expiry date or are still consumable. Make the effort to eat up what you can before buying anything else. 

  • Empty as much as you can from your home. Or pack it up in its respective boxes that grant you enough space to move. The sooner you get this out of the way, the easier it will be to work through the extensive cleaning. Sort through all your items and mark them for moving, selling, or donation. This also ensures you’re not leaving anything behind.

  • Dispose of your rubbish. Aside from the usual trash accumulating as you clean your apartment, clear out any unwanted junk you don’t plan on selling or donating. While this should be common courtesy, there is still a tendency to leave at least a bag of trash in the apartment.

  • Take photos for good measure. Again, proper documentation matters. Providing proof that you’ve left the apartment in good condition will future-proof any issues that might come up when you get your deposit back.


☞ You might also like: How to move out of a rental home

Ready to start your end of tenancy clean?standing in front of kitchen end of lease cleaning

So you’re set with the cleaning list to go off of, but maybe you aren’t too confident about doing it all by yourself. Don’t worry; a vacating clean is undoubtedly quite a tall task. So long as you’ve got the time and the right tools to clean the house, you’ll be able to manage well.
 

But if you’ve got the budget to spare and are keen on getting the cleaning done expertly, you can always hire an end of lease cleaner. They can offer a variety of cleaning services that can fit the kinds of tasks you need to be done. This is a common choice tenants can make to ensure you can still receive your bond in full.
 

☞ Also read: End of lease cleaning cost guide 

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FAQs on end of lease cleaning

Before you turn over your home, you’ll need your real estate agent’s approval from a final inspection to determine whether you’ll get your bond back in full. When moving in, it’s always best to do a deep clean to ensure your comfort and safety. 

Your property should be as clean as when you moved in. To ensure you meet your landlord’s expectations, it’s best to review your lease document and speak to your landlord for any end of lease cleaning clarifications. This way, you can be confident that you’re cleaning all necessary areas and avoiding any potential disputes. 

This is entirely dependent on your situation, budget, and priorities. If you’ve got the time and energy for it, doing the end of tenancy cleaning yourself would save you some money. If your schedule’s looking a little too hectic weeks prior to your moving day, your next best option is to hire a professional to take care of the cleaning.

End of lease cleaning costs $120 to $360 for a three-bedroom home. But rates may vary depending on your location and cleaning tasks. Other factors you’ll want to consider are the size of your space, the condition of your house, the complexity, and the type of service you need.

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