Move-out cleaning checklist: what to clean to get your deposit back

To get your deposit back, leave the home as clean as you found it and prove it: clean the kitchen appliances, the bathroom, the floors and the windows, then take dated photos of every room before you return the keys. Normal wear from living there is generally not your responsibility, but dirt, grease and neglected cleaning can be. Rules on deposits vary by country, region and lease, and this is not legal advice: read your contract and the move-in inventory first.

Before you start

• Find your move-in inventory or photos. The goal is to return the home in the condition it was in, minus normal wear. If you do not have an inventory, your lease may describe the condition.
• Check what the contract requires. Some leases ask for a professional clean, others only that the home is "clean and tidy". If a professional clean is required, keep the receipt.
• Empty the home first. Cleaning around boxes doubles the work. Start when the rooms are empty and finish with the floors.
• Set aside half a day per two rooms, more if you have not deep-cleaned in a long time.

Work top to bottom and from the back of the home to the door, so you never clean the same floor twice.

Kitchen: where most deductions happen

1. Oven. Grease and burnt food are a classic complaint. Remove the racks and soak them, then clean the inside with an oven cleaner or the method your manual recommends. Wear gloves and ventilate. The oven, microwave and range hood guide covers the routine.
2. Fridge and freezer. Empty them, switch off and defrost if needed, wash the shelves and drawers and wipe the seals. Leave the door slightly open afterwards so no smell builds up.
3. Cabinets inside and out. Remove crumbs and grease from shelves and fronts.
4. Sink and drain. Remove the debris from the strainer and flush with hot water. A slow kitchen drain smells and is noticed quickly.
5. Hob, extractor and tiles. Degrease the cooker top and the wall behind it.

Bathroom

• Limescale and soap film on taps, screen and shower head: a descaler suited to your surfaces works. Descaling the showerhead is a quick win.
• Grout and sealant. Scrub dark lines; if there is mould, read our guide to mould in the bathroom. Do not replace the silicone unless your contract asks for it.
• Drains. Remove hair from the shower and sink drains.
• Toilet. Under the rim and around the base as well.
• Extractor fan cover. Dust builds up there and is easy to miss.

Living areas and bedrooms

• Floors. Vacuum, then mop. Check under where the furniture stood.
• Walls. Remove marks with a damp cloth. Do not repaint unless the lease says so, and do not fill holes without asking if the contract does not allow it.
• Windows, frames and tracks. Clean glass inside and out where reachable, and clear dirt from the sliding tracks. Do not lean out of upper-floor windows to clean them.
• Skirting boards, doors and door frames. Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Wardrobes and shelves. Empty and wipe.
• Light fixtures and switches. Dust and fingerprints show up in photos.

Don't forget the extras

Balcony or terrace, storage room, garage and the bins. Take all rubbish with you and do not leave belongings behind. Return all the keys, remotes and access cards, and ask for a receipt.

Document everything

When you finish, take clear photos or a video of every room, including appliances and cupboards, with the date visible. Do a walk-through with the landlord or agent if you can, ask them to sign a handover note and keep a copy. Photos you cannot show are of no use if there is a dispute. Send them by email so the date is recorded.

Make the next move easier

Everything on this list is much easier if the home is kept in order all the time. HouseKiper schedules the oven, the fridge, the grout and the other recurring jobs, so the day you leave is a short clean-up and not a rescue. The apartment maintenance checklist shows the routine, and what is the tenant's job explains the usual split with the landlord.

Do I have to hire professional cleaners when I move out?

Only if your lease says so. Many leases just ask that the home is returned clean. Check the contract, and if a professional clean is required, keep the invoice.

What counts as normal wear and tear?

Faded paint, small marks from furniture or light wear on floors from ordinary living are usually considered normal wear. Dirt, grease, mould from poor ventilation or damage are different. The definition varies by country and contract.

Should I repaint or fill the holes before leaving?

Not unless the contract requires it. Ask your landlord in writing before doing any repair or repainting, since doing it wrong can create a deduction.

How do I prove the home was clean?

With dated photos or video of every room, a signed handover note if possible, and the cleaning receipt if you hired professionals. Keep everything until the deposit is returned.