Looking for an inclusive end of tenancy cleaning checklist and effective tips to retrieve all your deposits easily? Browse through this detailed guide to find the ultimate tenant cleaning checklist and understand what to clean when moving out.

Importance of End of Tenancy Cleaning

Moving out of a rental property can be quite stressful at the end of your tenancy agreement, and the end of tenancy cleaning is an integral part of the process. Handing over the apartment to the landlord in a good and clean condition is not only your moral responsibility but also crucial in safely getting all your deposit back without any deductions.

A proper end of tenancy clean not only ensures there are no disputes at the end of your lease but also encourages your landlord to leave you a positive reference to increase your chances of getting a new rental apartment wherever you want. If you are a student on a budget, you don’t need to hire professional help to clean the property completely – you can do it yourself.

By following some easy tips listed below, you can easily ace the end of tenancy cleaning checklist without burning a hole in your pocket.

10 Tips to Doing an End of Tenancy Clean to Get all Your Deposit Back

Before you prepare to move out of your rental property, have a read over our top tips so you can plan accordingly and wriggle out of any unnecessary rental charges. 

1. Don’t Panic

Many tenants get so anxious about their end of tenancy clean that they either end up wasting a lot of money on hiring professional help and purchasing expensive cleaning supplies. Professional cleaners charge a premium for ‘end of tenancy’ cleans as they class it as a deep clean. 

2. Keep the House Clean Throughout the Year

Keeping your house clean throughout the year doesn’t just stop the spread of germs, but also makes cleaning at the end of your tenancy more convenient. Take it in turns to do a deep clean once a month and plan the cleaning routine as per each week.

For example, plan to clean all the bathrooms thoroughly on the first Sunday of each month and the furniture on every second Sunday.

This way, by deep cleaning your house throughout the year will avoid any grub build up and tough stains, Moreover, it safeguards your deposit, makes cleaning at the end more manageable, and ensures you don’t panic at the last moment.

3. Make an End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist

To clean everything effectively, it is important to make a moving out cleaning checklist in advance so that you don’t forget anything and keep track of your cleanup without getting tensed about it.

4. Start Early & Do Little at a Time

Trust us, it is completely worthwhile to start cleaning your apartment early to avoid panicking about it or affecting your health by getting fatigued. Moreover, it gives you peace of mind to study or work, and plan to move out to your next property.

Need some help identifying what to clean through the year? Read our **cleaning checklist**

5. Do Everything Yourself to Save Some Money

If you are a student with limited savings, it is cost-effective to do everything yourself to save hefty sums of money on professional cleaning services. Moreover, cleaning yourself gives you the satisfaction that everything has been perfectly cleaned as per your checklist and the required standards.

We’ve collated the best cleaning products which start as as little as 50p! **Best products checklist**

6. Ask for the Final Inspection Checklist Before Starting Your Cleaning

Even if you download or compile many tenancy cleaning checklists online, sometimes you might end up in trouble because of a negligible area. Thus, it is your tenancy right to ask for the final inspection checklist from your landlord to double-check you don’t miss cleaning even a single thing.

7. Divide Tasks Amongst all the Housemates

If you share an apartment with your friends, it is not just helpful in saving money on your energy bills but also shares your load while cleaning at the end of your tenancy. Every housemate can mutually share cleaning chores fairly and make cleaning a lot more fun, easier and quicker.

Don’t get conned by a housemate that’s ‘moving out early’ – make sure they clean their room deeply as well as giving them a communal task so they do their share. 

8. Use Cleaning Home Remedies to make the clean cheaper

If you are short on budget and even if you are not, purchasing expensive cleaning products is not really required when you can clean everything effectively by using home remedies. You can buy inexpensive kitchen items such as baking soda, salt, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. to clean like a pro and read some cleaning tips to know more. However, you must not ignore gathering your basic cleaning equipment such as paper towels, microfiber cloth, cleaning fluid, sprays, etc.

9. Fix the Damages

It is absolutely normal to make slight damages in your home during your tenancy – this is called ‘wear and tear’ and shouldn’t be charged for in your tenancy. If you did damage anything through the year, it’s always best practice to let the landlord know through the year or get it fixed by a friend or local. It is important to fix or replace everything before you move out, or let your landlord know. 

10. Take High-Resolution Pictures

This is an important tip you don’t want to miss if you want to retrieve all your deposits safely. Take high-resolution photos of everything as soon as you move in, and then after cleaning to avoid any scams by your landlord or fight any unfair deposit deductions. 

Tenant Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean When Moving Out

Use this moving out cleaning checklist to ensure you clean your home adequately at the end of your tenancy and stand a better chance of safely getting your deposit back.

1. Electrical Appliances

Before you move out, the first and the easiest way to start is by dusting, gently scrubbing, and cleaning all the electrical appliances in your home. Starting with the appliances not just finishes the most important thing you might forget at the end but also gives you plenty of time to get them fixed if they’re broken.

• Make your microwave, oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator a grease and odor-free zone 
• Don’t forget to deep clean the stove including the burners
• Also, ensure that the vacuum cleaner, washing machine, AC, etc. are dust and scale-free.
• Make sure to clean everything properly inside out including the filters and check whether they are functioning effectively or not

2. Kitchen

Secondly, you must move to clean the kitchen thoroughly as this area will consume most of your time.

• Start with the cupboards and shelves and wipe them down to get rid of any dust, spills, stains, or grime. Do not forget the cupboard doors and the handles
• Next, proceed to the drawers and clean everything thoroughly
• Clean the sink and water taps but take care you don’t scratch any stainless steel units. Ensure that the taps are free from limescale buildup.
• Wipe down the countertops and clean & disinfect the bin areas.
• Lastly, clean the kitchen chimney and the extractor fan.

3. Bathroom

With constant water usage, your bathroom can build up hard water stains quite easily. 

• Start by deep cleaning the bathtub and the showerhead
• Proceed to clean the basin, taps, and fittings
• Deep clean the toilet using the toilet brush and bleach 
• Clean all the tiles thoroughly and remove the mould, if present. Try spraying mould and mildew product and leaving it for a short while
• Lastly, clean all the drains and ensure they are unblocked

4. Living Room

Since your living room is probably your go-to area of the home, the soft furnishings will need a good clean.

• Start by dusting and cleaning the shelves and cupboards
• Clean the tables, chairs, and sofa
• Organize your TV unit at this point and make it a dust-free, neat area.
• Don’t forget to clean under the sofa and you might be surprised to find some tiny things you’ve been looking for – for a long time.
• You can also pack the unimportant stuff, books, decorations, etc. at this point.

5. Bedroom

Your bedroom will be entirely your responsibility, so clean it thoroughly to ensure you don’t get charged. 

• Start by washing the bedsheets, pillow covers, mattress covers, etc. and organize and pack 
• Wash the curtains, dust the curtain rods, and deep clean the windowsills, frames, glass panels, etc
• Empty the wardrobes, drawers, shelves, and cupboards to clean everything to perfection
• Ensure you have cleaned all the furniture in the room

6. Floors, Windows, Sockets & Upholstery

Although you can clean the floors, windows, etc. while cleaning the rooms or areas one by one, deep cleaning them finally is a better choice.

• Start by cleaning all the windows, panels, handles and ensure they slide or open perfectly.
• Do not miss cleaning the skirting boards, plug sockets, bannisters, etc.
• Proceed to thoroughly clean all the carpets, rugs, and floors for an ultimate cleanup.

7. Walls and Doors

Walls and doors can build up grub and dust throughout the year

• Ensure that the doors are dust and scratch-proof.
• Don’t neglect oiling creaky doors and wiping the knobs and handles.
• Now, clean the ceilings, fans, and remove cobwebs or dust. You can use a long-handled duster or ask your landlord for a heavy-duty ladder for better cleaning.

8. Fixtures, Fittings, and Furnishings

Although you might have already cleaned everything by this time, check all the fittings, fixtures, and furnishings one last time

• Make sure to check whether all the lightbulbs, lampshades, and light fittings are properly working or not. If not, replace them straight away.
• Ensure all the cupboards and shelves are in a good condition.
• Polish the tables, desk, etc. if needed.
• Dust all the sockets and check if everything is working properly or not.
• Make sure the upholstery is stain and dust-free.

9. Exteriors

Last but not least, thoroughly clean the staircases, hallways, back garden, fireplace, etc. to give your home a final cleaning touch-up. Tidy up the garden shed and sweep up leaves from the lawn, courtyard, etc.

The Bottom Line

Moving out can be both – exciting and stressful but with the right tenant cleaning checklist and motivation, you can easily (and perfectly) clean your apartment and get excited for the new surprises that life awaits. Always remember that the property you are moving out of deserves to be sparkling clean for the new tenants – just like you’d expect when you move into a new one.

If you follow all the important cleaning tips shared above and ensure you clean everything listed in the checklist shared by us, you will stand a high chance of getting all your deposits back perfectly.