Sixty-plus tasks, room by room, to clean your rental to the standard landlords look for — so you pass the final inspection and recover your full security deposit. Printable. Tickable. Save it now, or find a professional move-out cleaner near you to do it for you.
Start with the kitchen, finish with the floors, and walk the property once with your move-in photos at the end. Landlord inspections work room by room and look for specific things in each one — this checklist is built around exactly what they check.
Block out a full day (4-12 hours depending on size). Empty cabinets and the fridge first so you can clean inside. Work top to bottom in each room — ceilings, shelves, surfaces, then floors — so dust falls onto areas you haven't done yet, not onto ones you have.
Pro tip: if you have move-in photos, open them as you go. Landlords compare condition to those photos — getting the rental back to that condition is exactly what protects your deposit.
Kitchen
The kitchen is where most deposit deductions happen. Soaking the oven first — at the start — gives the cleaner time to work while you do other rooms.
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Kitchen tasks
14 items
Empty all cabinets, drawers and the fridge
Apply oven cleaner and let it soak
Degrease the oven inside and out
Soak and scrub oven racks and trays
Clean oven door glass both sides
Clean hob, burners and control knobs
Degrease the extractor fan and filters
Defrost, wipe and sanitise the fridge and freezer
Clean inside and outside of all cabinets
Wipe down countertops and splashback
Descale the sink, taps and drainer
Wipe small appliances (microwave, kettle, toaster)
Mop the floor, scrub any stains
Wipe skirting and kickboards
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are inspection hotspots — limescale on screens and taps, mould in grout, and an unsanitised toilet are common deduction reasons. Do every bathroom.
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Bathroom tasks (per bathroom)
12 items
Descale the shower, screen and showerhead
Scrub the bath and remove any soap scum
Scrub grout and sealant back to clean
Treat any visible mould
Sanitise the toilet inside and out
Polish mirrors streak-free
Descale taps and fixtures
Wipe tiles and remove water marks
Clean extractor fan cover
Empty and wipe the bin
Wipe skirting and door frames
Mop and disinfect the floor
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are usually simpler but landlords still check inside wardrobes, behind doors, and along skirting. Don't skip the built-in storage.
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Bedroom tasks (per room)
10 items
Remove all personal items and rubbish
Dust ceiling corners and light fittings
Dust and wipe all surfaces
Clean inside wardrobes and built-in storage
Wipe wardrobe doors, handles and tracks
Wipe skirting, door frames and switches
Clean window sills and reachable glass
Spot-clean marks on walls
Vacuum carpets thoroughly (or mop hard floors)
Remove cobwebs from corners
Living & common areas
Living rooms, hallways and dining areas — anywhere with high-touch surfaces and floor traffic. Switches, sockets and radiators are easy wins that landlords often check.
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Living area tasks
12 items
Remove all personal items and rubbish
Dust ceiling fans, light fittings and high shelves
Wipe all surfaces and shelving
Clean inside any cupboards or sideboards
Wipe light switches and sockets
Dust and wipe radiators
Wipe doors, handles and frames
Spot-clean marks on walls
Dust vents and air returns
Vacuum upholstery if furniture stays
Vacuum carpets or mop hard floors
Clean skirting boards throughout
Windows & detail work
Detail tasks are where extra deposit gets returned — landlords notice clean windows, dust-free blinds, and a spotless front door because most tenants miss them.
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Detail tasks
14 items
Clean all interior windows streak-free
Wipe window sills and tracks
Dust and wipe blinds, slat by slat
Wash curtains if included in inventory
Clean glass doors and mirrors
Wipe all doors and frames
Polish door handles and locks
Clean staircase steps and bannisters
Dust under-stair storage if accessible
Vacuum or mop hallway floors
Clean front door inside and out
Empty and wipe all bins
Replace any used lightbulbs
Check loft hatch, cupboards and meter cupboards
Final walkthrough
The walkthrough is what separates a tenant who gets the full deposit back from one who doesn't. Do it slowly and properly before handing over the keys.
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Walkthrough tasks
8 items
Walk every room with your move-in photos
Compare condition to the original inventory
Re-clean anything that doesn't match
Check all light fittings are working
Confirm smoke and CO alarms work
Take dated photos of every room
Lock all windows and doors
Hand back all keys (including spares)
How long does it take?
A complete DIY move-out clean takes 4 to 12 hours depending on property size. Plan a full day, or split it across two — but make sure the oven cleaner has time to soak.
Realistic move-out cleaning time, by property size
Property size
DIY time
Professional time
Studio
4–5 hours
1–2 hours
1 Bedroom
5–7 hours
2–3 hours
2 Bedroom
7–9 hours
3–4 hours
3 Bedroom
9–11 hours
4–5 hours
4+ Bed / House
10–12+ hours
5–8 hours
DIY checklist or professional cleaner?
The right choice depends on how much deposit is at stake versus the cost of professional move-out cleaning. Most tenants choose professionals when they're moving out of larger properties or when the deposit is significantly higher than the cleaning cost.
If you'd rather hand it off, see our move-out cleaning service — same checklist, professionally done, with a 100% bond-back guarantee.
FAQs
What should be on a move-out cleaning checklist?
Every room: kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas, and detail work like windows and skirting. Aim for 60+ specific tasks across the whole property — that's what landlords inspect against.
How long does it take to clean a rental for move-out?
A complete DIY move-out clean takes 4 to 12 hours depending on property size. A studio takes 4–5 hours, a 1-bedroom 5–7 hours, a 2-bedroom 7–9 hours, and a 3+ bedroom house 9–12 hours. Professionals complete it faster because of equipment and experience.
Where should I start when cleaning before moving out?
Start with the kitchen, because the oven, fridge and appliances need the most time and soaking. Then move to bathrooms, then bedrooms and living areas. Save windows, floors and detail work for last so they stay clean during the rest of the process.
What do landlords look for during a move-out inspection?
Inside the oven and fridge, grout and sealant, behind appliances, inside cabinets, skirting boards, window sills, light fittings, carpets, and walls. They compare condition to the original inventory or move-in photos to decide deposit deductions.
Should I hire a professional move-out cleaner or do it myself?
DIY saves money but takes a full day; a professional clean is $89–$299 with a bond-back guarantee and a photo report. Most tenants choose professionals when the deposit at stake is larger than the cleaning cost. See our move-out cleaning service for fixed quotes.
Want this done for you?
We follow this exact checklist with a 100% bond-back guarantee — and send you a photo report for your landlord.