End of Tenancy Checklist: Everything You Need to Do Before Moving Out

Moving out of a rental property can feel like you are juggling a million tasks at once, but a trusty checklist can save the day.

Ticking off every item on the following list is your ticket to getting your full deposit back. From sprucing up the furnishings to tackling those final metre readings, there is plenty to do before your departure.

This need not be a torturous time, though. Here is what you need to do before handing over the keys.

Start with a Plan: Prioritise Move-Out Cleaning

Having a plan helps you stay organised and on schedule.

First, make a list of every room and item that requires immediate attention. Then, write down everything that needs to be done.

Dividing each chore into manageable tasks will help you avoid burnout. So, tackle one room at a time and pay close attention to the spaces underneath appliances, the tops of the cabinets, and other commonly forgotten areas.

Start with the places you use the least, such as the guest bedroom or attic. Then, move on to the more frequented areas, like the kitchen and bathrooms. This strategy reduces the likelihood of soiling freshly cleaned spaces.

To help you prevent needless worry before the big day, stock up on cleaning products in advance. There is nothing worse than running out of supplies halfway through an extensive chore.

Deep Clean the Kitchen

The most difficult room to clean is usually the kitchen. It is not just about casually polishing surfaces. You also have to vacuum into every corner, wipe inside and under your appliances, and scour those spots you have neglected for months.

Sort all the cabinets and drawers first. Over time, these can gather dust, crumbs, and all kinds of filth. Once emptied, wash them thoroughly inside and out.

Next, turn your attention to the appliances. The main offenders for tough stains are often the oven and refrigerator, so be ready to put in some elbow grease.

A powerful degreaser can remove caked-on food residue from the oven. The hob and the extractor fan can be a bit more challenging, though.

The oily residue they tend to accumulate is usually difficult to remove without the correct products. Thus, it would be better to prepare in advance and get a powerful degreaser that would get the job done.

This step involves some heavy lifting. You will need to move the appliances to clean behind and underneath them. Remember to defrost the refrigerator and freezer before wiping them down, as well.

As for the sink and countertops, a strong antibacterial cleaner will help remove any stains or residual odours.

Naturally, after all this cleaning, you would need to give the flooring a good mop. This is especially important if you have vinyl flooring that needs extra care to shine.

Move-out cleaning should leave the kitchen looking just as nice as the day you moved in, or even better.

Get Rid of Grime and Mould in the Bathroom

Bathrooms also require meticulous care. A quick wipe-down will not be enough to remove water stains, soap scum, and mould that has built up over time.

Start with the grout and tiles. If there is any mildew, be sure to reach into all the cracks and use a specifically designed mould cleaner. You would not want your landlord to spot any hidden grime, so be as diligent as possible.

Next, it is time to tackle the shower, bath, and toilet. Descaling products are your best ally here, particularly for the showers and taps.

Thoroughly clean the bath or shower tray. Any residual rust or soap scum must go. If you have a shower screen, show it some love, too. You will be surprised at how much limescale and watermarks have accumulated on it.

Finally, do not overlook the less obvious areas, including the sink drain, extractor fan, and bathroom mirror.

These little details can mean the difference between losing half of your deposit and getting your entire money back.

Freshen Up the Living Room and the Bedroom

Though they still need some upkeep, living rooms and bedrooms do not always require the rigorous scrubbing kitchens and bathrooms demand.

First, sweep the rugs or mop the hard floors. Next, move the furniture and clean the often-overlooked areas underneath.

If your rental includes carpets, consider calling a professional end of tenancy cleaner. This is particularly important if they show obvious stains or signs of wear.

Most landlords expect the furnishings to be thoroughly washed. Investing a little extra effort there could help you avoid significant deposit deductions.

Since normal cleaning usually bypasses curtains and blinds, now is a good time to give them some attention. Usually, machine washing or dry cleaning works just fine for curtains. As for blinds, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth.

Furthermore, be sure to polish every surface, including shelves, skirting boards, and light fittings. The amount of dust that can gather on top of cabinets and ceiling fans would astound you, so go over these while you are at it, too.

Finally, look for any marks or signs of damage on the walls. Do not forget to inspect any built-in storage solutions you have as well.

In many cases, a basic potting compound, like magic rubber, will help with scuffs. Otherwise, you would probably have to touch up the paintwork.

Ensuring the property looks the way it did when you first moved in is everything.

Final Details: Don’t Miss These Key Areas

You would not want to go through a whole move out cleaning process only to lose your deposit over a minor detail. So, be sure to give any regularly overlooked regions some extra attention.

Start with the windows. Dirty glass panes can make a place seem untidy, even if the rest of the property is immaculate. So, polish them carefully, and pay close attention to the windowsills and frames.

Having done that, move on to the door handles, light switches, and other touchpoints. Though they can harbour dirt and fingerprints, these are sometimes overlooked during routine cleaning. A quick polish with a disinfectant should do the trick.

The same is true for vents, radiators, and air-conditioning systems. These can gather a lot of dust over time.

Finally, take a walk around the property one last time. Look behind doors, open all cabinets, and check under the sinks.

It is easy to leave something behind or miss a spot. A once-over will give you peace of mind, assuring you that everything is in good order.

Conclusion

Deep cleaning is the last thing anyone wants to do at the end of tenancy. Then again, getting it right can spare you the added expenses and headache of deposit conflicts.

Moreover, you will be ready to confidently hand over the keys if you establish a solid strategy in advance and pay attention to the smallest details.

Remember, contacting a professional cleaning service can be well worth the cost here. This is especially true if everything seems too daunting, yet you want the house to look spotless.