Move-out cleaning checklist: get your deposit back (Singapore)
End-of-tenancy cleaning is what stands between you and your full deposit. Landlords compare the unit to its move-in condition, and a few overlooked spots cost tenants hundreds. Here's the room-by-room checklist.
SparkFlow team6 min readWhen you hand back a rental in Singapore, the landlord or agent inspects it against the condition (and often the photos) from your move-in. A unit that's "mostly clean" can still cost you part of the deposit. Here's the checklist we work through on a move-out clean.
Kitchen
- Degrease the hob, hood filter and backsplash — baked-on oil is the #1 deduction.
- Clean inside the oven, microwave and fridge (defrost it the night before).
- Wipe cabinet interiors, handles and the sink; clear the drain trap.
Bathrooms
- Descale taps, shower glass and the showerhead; remove water stains.
- Scrub grout, toilet bowl (under the rim), and clear hair from drains.
- Wipe mirrors, exhaust-fan cover and any mould on the ceiling.
Bedrooms & living
- Wipe down walls for scuffs, switch plates and skirting.
- Clean window panes, grilles and tracks (tracks collect a surprising amount of dirt).
- Dust ceiling-fan blades and light fittings; clean aircon filters and front panels.
- Mop all floors; vacuum any built-in wardrobe interiors.
The spots inspectors always check (and tenants miss)
- Aircon filters — a dusty filter reads as "not serviced." Some leases require a chemical wash on move-out.
- Window/door tracks and grilles.
- Hood filter and oven interior.
- Behind/under appliances and inside cabinets.
- Mould lines in bathroom silicone and on ceilings.
DIY or hire it out?
A small studio is doable in a hard day if you have the time and products. For a whole flat — especially with an aircon servicing clause — a professional move-out clean is usually cheaper than a deposit deduction, and it comes with the unit photographed clean. If you're moving in rather than out, the same checklist applies in reverse for a move-in clean; see our note on post-renovation cleaning for fit-out dust.
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A small studio | A whole flat |
| Time & effort | Doable in a hard day with the right products | Handled for you |
| Aircon servicing clause | You arrange the chemical wash separately | Covered as part of the clean |
| Cost vs deposit risk | Risk of missed spots and a deduction | Usually cheaper than a deposit deduction |
| Proof of condition | You photograph it yourself | Unit comes photographed clean |
The takeaway
Clean to the move-in condition, not just "tidy," and don't skip filters, tracks and the oven. If you'd rather hand back the keys and let someone else handle it, our move-in/out cleaning covers the full checklist above — WhatsApp us the flat size for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does move-out cleaning cost in Singapore?
- Pricing depends on flat size and whether an aircon chemical wash is included in your lease, so it's quoted per unit rather than fixed. The point is that a professional move-out clean is usually cheaper than a deposit deduction, and your unit gets photographed clean as proof.
- Do I need an aircon chemical wash before moving out?
- Only if your tenancy agreement requires it — many Singapore leases include an aircon servicing clause for move-out. Even without a clause, a dusty filter reads as 'not serviced' during inspection, so cleaning the filters and front panels is always worth doing before you hand back the keys.
- What do landlords check most during a move-out inspection?
- Inspectors compare the unit to its move-in condition and photos. The spots tenants miss most are aircon filters, window and door tracks and grilles, the hood filter and oven interior, behind and under appliances, and mould lines in bathroom silicone and on ceilings.
- Can I do move-out cleaning myself or should I hire a cleaner?
- A small studio is doable in a hard day if you have the time and products. For a whole flat — especially with an aircon servicing clause — hiring a professional is usually cheaper than a deposit deduction and removes the risk of missing inspector hotspots like tracks, the oven and filters.
- Will move-out cleaning get my full deposit back?
- It protects it. Landlords deduct from the deposit when the unit falls short of the move-in condition, and a few overlooked spots cost tenants hundreds. Cleaning to the move-in standard — not just tidy — and documenting the unit photographed clean is your best defence against deductions.