By the time they leave and return the keys to the landlord, all tenants have a responsibility to make sure that rental property is in good condition. Whether it’s a rental home, office, or commercial property, landlords will typically hold onto your deposit until you’ve cleaned and emptied the space. Read our helpful end-of-tenancy cleaning advice and use our end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist for every room to make sure the place is left spotless for the new renters if you want your landlord to refund your security deposit.
End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist: Room by Room
Hallway and stairs
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bathroom
Lounge
Stairs and a hallway
The hallway and stairs are typically the first areas you enter after opening the front door, therefore it is imperative that they look spotless for your landlord. Always begin at the top (the attic) and move down towards the ground while properly inspecting the space for any problems that may need to be fixed. For example, if a lamp needs to be changed and when there are any rug spots, make sure to take care of them until the owner comes to check the place.
In order to improve your chances of receiving your money refunded from your landlord, start by making sure that any cobwebs and dust are cleaned from the stairs and corridor, especially in difficult-to-reach places. Don’t forget to clean your skirting boards to get rid of any dust or debris that may have built up from regular use over time.
You must vacuum the space, based just on flooring within your hallway and staircase, and clean hardwood floors using hot water and dishwasher detergent. As was already indicated, put this task at the end of your list to avoid having to repeatedly wash the floors.
Cleaning checklist for the stairs and hallway at the end of a lease:
Eliminate all cobwebs and dirt.
Clean hard floors using a vacuum
Clean the skirting boards.
Replace any broken bulbs and clean any light fixtures.
Clean all windows, doors, and doorknobs.
Kitchen
Since the kitchen is the area that is used the most and naturally accumulates the most dirt, cleaning it can be a difficult process. In order to improve your odds of securing your money returned, this is among the most important locations to make sure is immaculate.
To start, you’ll need some basic cleaning supplies, such non-scratch sponges, a spritzer bottle, and some special deep cleaning liquid. Try cleaning the kitchen’s work surfaces, cabinets, and counters.
Second, clean and polish the sink and faucet as you could ever in the bathroom, eliminating all gunk as you go. If necessary, you can purchase drain cleaners from any grocery store to unblock your sink. Alternatively, you can pour boiling water down the drain first, then ½ cup of bicarb. After letting the combination sit for a few minutes, you can add a solution of hot vinegar water.
Then, empty the cabinets and drawers of all objects and gave them a thorough cleaning. Having to clean the inside of the cabinets and drawers is also necessary, as is eliminating all debris inside, including food scraps and dust.
Various locations, including as refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, induction cooktops, and ovens, that have come into direct contact with food. Make sure you have the right equipment to handle the hob and oven because they may be extremely dirty and might even need some elbow grease. Make sure that every item, including the trash cans, is left pristine and looking brand-new.
Remember that you should clean up any stains you see in the kitchen. If you discover that stains won’t come out, it can be worthwhile to get assistance from a reputable cleaning service. If it doesn’t work, be aware that your landlord could sue you for damages.
Kitchen cleaning checklist for the end of a lease:
Eliminate any cobwebs and dust.
Clean and shine all surfaces.
tidy tiles
Clean the interior and outside of all cabinets and drawers.
Clean every kitchen device, especially the stove, oven, and microwave.
Remove any limescale from the sink and the faucets.
Mop or vacuum the floor.
Clean the skirting boards.
Clean all windows, doors, and doorknobs.
containers that are spotless both inside and out
RELATED: How to Make Your Kitchen Chemical-Free
Bedroom
You must make sure to leave the bedroom tidy and dust-free after cleaning it. Start by removing any cobwebs from the roof and wiping the tops of wardrobes and cabinets, which are more likely to accumulate dust and vermin (e.g. spiders).
You must make sure any furnishings that comes with the house is in excellent shape. For instance, before rehanging any picture frames on the walls, they should be taken down, cleaned, and dusted. The same is true for skirting, plug sockets, doorknobs and handles, lamp shades, light fixtures, and curtain rails (which may be buff and polished). Make sure the blinds are clean if they were provided. In general, curtains should only be dry cleaned, but read the label carefully because certain curtains may be machine washed. Ensure all of it is immaculate.
The last task is scrubbing the floor, which is the most laborious of them all. If you don’t fully vacuum the carpet and make sure all stains are gone, you could not receive your deposit returned. If the floor is hardwood or laminate, sweep away any debris and wipe the surface with warm, soap water and bleach.
Bedroom cleaning checklist for the end of a lease:
Eliminate any cobwebs and dust.
All bedroom furnishings should be dusted and cleaned
Clean all windows, doors, and doorknobs.
Replace any light bulbs and clean any light fixtures.
Clean the skirting boards and vacuum or clean the floor.
Bathroom
Whenever it relates to end-of-tenancy cleaning, the bathroom might be the deciding factor. Your shower tray, bath, and taps, basins, and sinks should all be completely cleaned with bleach, inside and out, before using the toilet (the same as the kitchen). It is advised to use bleach to clean bathtubs, sinks, and sink basins since it leaves them gleaming white and like new. Bleach may also be used to remove grout stains and, if necessary, clean the shower head.
It’s crucial to keep all equipment clean and unclogged, just like in the kitchen.
For ceramic surface (such a shower curtain) and mirrors, a soapy solution should be used to clean them, and newspaper can be used to dry them to prevent any
Bathroom cleaning checklist for lease termination:
Eliminate any cobwebs and dust.
Clean the shower screen, bathtub, and tile/walls.
All fittings and fixtures have to be cleaned (e.g. shower head)
Clean and sanitize the bathroom.
Use an anti-smudge cleaning solution to clean mirrors.
Replace any broken bulbs and clean any light fixtures.
Clean all windows, doors, and doorknobs.
To be dusted and cleaned on all skirting
Clean and shine the flooring.
Clean the skirting boards.
Lounge
The lounge has been one of the primary living areas in a house and is frequently used to entice potential renters, thus the landlord will examine its condition. Begin at the top then down the back, cleaning the ceiling, floor, skirting boards, and any other areas that may have dust or cobwebs. This is how you should clean most rooms.
Make sure everything, including the sofa, cabinets, and TV, is pristine if your landlord provided it. Dust and wipe clean everything thoroughly, paying close attention to any stains or markings. The same method of cleaning and polishing applies to any hanging artwork or mirrors, but always be sure not to miss any streaks. Make sure the drapes are clean if they were provided. In general, curtains should only be dry cleaned, but look at the label carefully because certain curtains may be machine washed.
Not to mention radiators, which are frequently forgotten. The easiest way to accomplish this is to take the radiator out from the wall, which just involves just several monkey wrenches, a radiator key, and a towel and bowl for just any spills. Next, just sweep away any dirt in the radiator and clean it with water instead of bleach because the latter may corrode the metals and decrease the effectiveness.
The lounge must be cleaned before the lease expires.
Eliminate any cobwebs and dust.
Clean all windows, doors, and doorknobs.
All furniture should be cleaned both inside and out.
Any electrical devices, such as Televisions and DVD players, should be cleaned.
Use an anti-smudge cleaning solution to clean mirrors and photographs.
Clean the skirting boards and vacuum or clean the floor.
A: A standard end-of-rental cleaning checklist typically includes thorough cleaning of all surfaces, vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning kitchen appliances and cabinets, scrubbing bathrooms, and wiping down windows and blinds. It’s also crucial to clean light fixtures, power sockets, and switch plates. This ensures the property is in a pristine condition for the next tenant or for the return of your deposit.
A: Hiring professional cleaners is not mandatory but highly recommended, especially if you are aiming to ensure a deep clean and increase your chances of getting your full deposit back. Professional cleaners are equipped with the right tools and expertise to tackle tough stains and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring a comprehensive clean that might be difficult to achieve on your own.
A: Yes, you can undertake end-of-rental cleaning yourself if you have the time and necessary cleaning supplies. It’s important to follow a detailed checklist and be thorough in your cleaning. Remember, the level of cleanliness should ideally match the condition of the property when you moved in.
A: Commonly overlooked areas in end-of-rental cleaning include inside ovens, behind appliances, tops of cabinets, inside light fixtures, and window tracks. It’s also easy to forget about deep cleaning carpets, scrubbing grout in bathrooms, and ensuring all personal belongings are removed from the property.
A: The time required for end-of-rental cleaning depends on the size of the property and its initial condition. For an average-sized apartment, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. Larger properties or those requiring more intensive cleaning efforts might need a full day or even professional assistance to ensure everything is cleaned to a high standard.