End-of-tenancy cleaning for rental property: room‑by‑room checklist
Complete room‑by‑room checklist for end-of-tenancy cleaning when moving out or handing over a rental property. What needs cleaning, what is often focused on and how long it takes.
When moving, leave the former home tidy if it’s a rental. A thorough end-of-tenancy cleaning prevents disputes at handover. Use this room‑by‑room checklist, or have a cleaner do it for you.
Kitchen
- All cupboards and drawers, inside and out, clean and dry
- Oven, microwave and dishwasher (including filters and seals)
- Refrigerator and freezer emptied, defrosted and clean, door ajar
- Degrease the extractor hood, clean or replace the filter
- Cooktop, worktop, sink and tap (remove limescale)
- Tiling and grout behind the worktop
Bathroom and toilet
- Shower, bath and shower screen descaled
- Grout and sealant edges cleaned (remove mould)
- Sink, taps, mirror and cupboards
- Toilet: bowl, rim, flush button and rear
- Drain traps and ventilation grilles
Living room and bedrooms
- Skirting boards, doors, door handles and light switches
- Window sills and radiators (including between the slats)
- Windows on the inside, including frames
- Built‑in wardrobes inside
- Vacuum and mop floors; pay attention to edges and corners
Other
- Basement, loft and balcony or garden cleared and swept
- Holes from nails and plugs (check your agreement whether you need to fill them)
- Meter cupboard and hallway
- Rubbish and bulky waste removed
How long does an end-of-tenancy cleaning take?
Expect about 5 to 6 hours of work for a vacant flat of roughly 70 m², and a full day for a detached house. Much depends on the property’s condition: limescale and grease take the most time. With two cleaners it will, of course, be quicker.
Do it yourself or outsource?
During a move time is scarce. Outsourcing an end-of-tenancy cleaning reduces stress, and a cleaner knows what is often scrutinised at handover. At 321clean a book an end-of-tenancy cleaning straight away for € 34.90 per hour, or you post job with photos and receive quotes from cleaners and cleaning companies.
Frequently asked questions
What does an end-of-tenancy cleaning involve?
A thorough cleaning of the empty property: kitchen including appliances and cupboards, descaling sanitary fittings, skirting boards, doors, window sills, radiators, interior windows and all floors.
How long does an end-of-tenancy cleaning take?
For an empty flat of about 70 m² around 5 to 6 hours; for a detached house a full day. This depends heavily on the condition of the property.
