End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist: A Detailed Guide for Renters and Landlords

Whether for tenants or landlords, moving day is bound to be stressful. Especially if you are the tenant, moving out of a rental in Galway can be an extended affair for multiple days. With so much to pack and organise, deep cleaning the rental can feel overwhelming.

Leaving a rental property without a thorough cleaning is an inconvenience for landlords and future tenants. On the other hand, this can cost you your deposit money. So, a deep rental cleaning is more than important while moving out.

At Keen Contract Cleaning, we have mastered an eye for detail and the art of end of tenancy cleaning in Galway. In this blog, we present a comprehensive guide, complete with a cleaning checklist, to help you avoid missing a spot or losing your deposit.

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Why is End of Tenancy Cleaning in Galway Important?

Rental disputes among tenants and landlords are a common occurrence, but most of the time, they are avoidable. Cleaning and maintenance of the property is one of the major causes for deposit disputes. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) suggests that rental handover clean is a great way to avoid such disputes. With moving-out cleaning, you can make sure that you get back most of your security deposit, especially if you have a cleaning clause in your rental agreement.

Move-out rental cleaning can ensure a smoother handover while helping landlords prepare the property for new tenants.

End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

A detailed checklist can make your move-out cleaning less overwhelming and more strategic. Here’s our step-by-step breakdown of essentials to make sure your rental is spotless before you leave:

1. Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

The kitchen is one of the most challenging and time-consuming areas of a house. Rentals are usually inspected strictly for grease and dirt build-ups, and you might lose a lot of your deposit if the kitchen area is not cleaned well. Here’s how to clean the kitchen spotless:

Wipe all surfaces, including countertops and cooktops
Descale the limescale from the sink
Open the cabinets, cupboards and drawers to clean the insides properly
Degrease where necessary
Don’t leave dirt in the sockets, switches and kitchen appliances
Clean out the extractor fan (it’s the dirtiest in the kitchen)

Pro tip: Make sure you have cleaned the insides of the oven and the fridge. Throw any leftover food and clean the garbage bins.

2. Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

After the Kitchen, bathroom cleaning can be one of the most hectic areas to clean up during end-of-tenancy cleaning. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss any dirt, mould or mildew:

Remove hard water stains and descale for limescale
Scrub tiles to clean any mould growth in the grout
Clean the mirrors, any metal surfaces and shower screens
Don’t forget the sink, taps and other plumbing fittings
Remove buildup and dirt from the extractor fan
Mop the floor and wipe every surface to clear out residual moisture

Pro tip: Make sure to clean behind the toilet and inside the flush tank.

3. Bedroom Cleaning Checklist

While bedrooms are relatively easier to clean, it is important to make sure there is no dust or dirt left behind during your thorough end-of-tenancy cleaning. Here’s how to do it:

Dust the surfaces of shelves, wardrobes and furnishings
Repaint the walls to cover up any dirt marks
Vacuum the floor, carpets and curtains thoroughly
Deep steam cleaning for carpets
Wipe off any dirt residues from the sockets and extension cords
Vacuum the mattress and pillows as they tend to accumulate a lot of dust

Pro tip: Skirting boards are one of the most inspected areas; make sure to wipe them down and leave them spotless. 

4. Living Area Cleaning Checklist

While cleaning the living area isn’t as time-consuming as bathrooms or kitchens, it still has the most foot traffic in the house. Here’s how to clean it so your landlord has no complaints:

Be thorough with cleaning the upholstery and carpets
Clean the windows on both sides so you don’t leave any dirt or scratches
Vacuum the couch crevices and dust the cushions
Polish any wooden furnishings
Dry-wipe any electrical appliances like TV, remotes, switches, etc.
Mop all floors thoroughly

Pro tip: Dirty carpets are one of the biggest reasons for disputes. Make sure you are thorough with the cleaning, or get some help from professional carpet cleaning services.

5. The “Attention to Detail” Checklist

Other than room-specific cleaning, some general cleaning tasks can make sure your deposit is secured. Here are some of them to look after during your rental cleaning:

Clear out the garbage bins and throw any garbage left
Wash out the bins and sanitise (even the outdoor ones)
Thoroughly clean the washing machine inside and out
Clean any outdoor areas, i.e., patios, gardens, and balconies
Vacuum the hallways and staircase railings
Wipe down radiators

Regular Cleaning Vs. End-of-Tenancy Cleaning

Regular cleaning consists of cleaning on a surface level, i.e., vacuuming, wiping and dusting. However, while leaving a rental, regular cleaning might not be enough. End-of-tenancy cleaning solves this issue as the house is deep-cleaned before handing over the keys. Everyone’s cleaning standards are different. So, a deep cleaning before moving leaves no room for landlord disputes and makes sure you don’t lose your deposit.

How Long Does End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Take?

Depending on the size of your property, cleaning can take anywhere between 8 hours and 48 hours. For bigger properties, cleaning might even take several days. Keeping the cleaning tasks for the very end might not be a great idea while moving from a rental.

For the sheer size of the job, many tenants and landlords hire professional cleaning companies like Keen Contract Cleaning, especially for end-of-tenancy cleaning. Their professional equipment and specialised knowledge can cut the cleaning time in half.

Apartment SizeDIY Cleaning TimeProfessional Cleaning Time
One-bedroom apartment/ Studio apartment8-12 hours4-6 hours
Deep Cleaning18-24 hours 6-10 hours
4-bedroom apartment 48 hours+ 10-14 hours

End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Costs in Galway

Based on market prices in Galway, the most competitive costs for moving-out cleaning can be between €120 and €350. The exact cost depends on the property’s size and the scope of work. Professional cleaning services like Keen Contract Cleaning in Galway also offer add-ons like oven cleaning, carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning that are charged separately.

Tips for Tenants

Managing a deep cleaning of the rental while moving out can be less overwhelming with better planning and enough time in hand. Here are some tips for tenants moving out soon:

Start as soon as possible because keeping it for the end will add to the chaos.
Make thorough checklists to avoid missing cleaning tasks.
Take photos of the property before and after end-of-tenancy cleaning.
Clean the bathrooms, kitchens and carpets thoroughly as they are strictly inspected.
Hire a professional cleaning service for deep cleaning tasks and larger properties.

Conclusion

A deep end-of-tenancy cleaning is the best way to avoid disputes, save your deposit and leave a positive impression overall. Planning and getting help where needed can make the cleaning process infinitely easier and help you have a smoother handover.

To save time and have complete peace of mind, call 085-1989277 to book trusted and affordable end of tenancy cleaning Galway

 

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