Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
The cleaning checklist landlords actually look for — built to protect your deposit. Room by room, printable, free.
What landlords actually inspect
- Kitchen — inside oven, fridge defrosted and clean, no grease on hood, empty cupboards wiped.
- Bathroom — limescale-free taps, clean grout, no mould around silicone.
- Floors — vacuum carpets, mop hard floors, lift stains.
- Walls and doors — wipe marks, fill obvious holes (with permission).
- Windows — inside-clean, sills wiped, tracks vacuumed.
Order matters
Top to bottom, back to front. Dust before you vacuum. Clean appliances before you wipe surfaces. The generator orders the list logically so you don't undo your own work.
What landlords actually inspect
The four areas almost every deposit dispute hinges on are: oven interior, fridge/freezer (defrosted and wiped), bathroom (limescale and grout), and floors/carpets. If those four are demonstrably clean, almost everything else is forgiven. If any of those are visibly dirty, almost nothing else compensates.
The photo-evidence rule
Take date-stamped photos of every room after your move-out clean. A 5-minute photo round can save a 5-week deposit dispute. Send them to the landlord/agent with the keys.
How fairness is calculated
Behind the scenes, every chore gets a numeric weight from its effort (small / medium / large), frequency, and a difficulty modifier for the genuinely unpleasant tasks. The algorithm distributes weight across people, not chore counts — three counter wipes do not equal one toilet scrub, and the schedule respects that. Annoying tasks rotate separately so the same person never gets the bin two weeks running. Full details on the methodology page.
FAQ
What does a landlord look for in a move-out clean?
Most landlords want the property handed back in the condition you received it: clean appliances, stain-free carpets, no marks on walls, clear drains, and an empty fridge.
How much of my deposit is at risk if I skip cleaning?
In the UK and US, cleaning is the #1 reason for deposit deductions. A 4-hour clean can save hundreds.
Should I hire end-of-tenancy cleaners?
If your lease specifies professional cleaning, yes. Otherwise a thorough DIY clean with this checklist usually passes inspection.
Do I need a professional end-of-tenancy clean?
Only if your contract specifically requires it (rare in modern tenancies). Otherwise, a thorough DIY clean using a structured checklist is enough — landlords cannot legally insist on a paid service unless the property is left below the move-in standard.
What gets me my deposit back fastest?
Deep oven, defrosted fridge, descaled bathroom, professional carpet clean (if carpets are heavily worn), and date-stamped photos. That combination handles 95% of disputes.
How long should a move-out clean take?
Typical 1-bed: 4–6 hours including oven. 2-bed: 6–8 hours. 3-bed: a full day or split across two evenings.
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