Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning: What Tenants and Landlords Should Know
A move-out clean gets the property ready for inspection. A move-in clean means you unpack into a genuinely clean home. What each covers, when to book and what landlords look for.
By Cleantique SolutionsPublished 4 min read
Moving out of a rented house or flat usually ends with an inspection. Moving in usually starts with discovering how clean the previous occupants really left the place. Both moments are much easier with the right clean at the right time.
This guide is for tenants, landlords and property managers. It covers what a move-out clean should include, why a move-in clean is worth it, and how to time it all around a move.
What is a move-in or move-out clean?
It is a deep clean of an empty property. Being empty is the point: every surface, cupboard and corner can be reached, so the clean is more thorough than a deep clean of a furnished home, and usually faster.
- A move-out clean prepares the property for the landlord's or agent's inspection at the end of a tenancy.
- A move-in clean prepares the property for the new occupant before furniture and boxes arrive.
What landlords and agents usually check
Inspections vary, but most landlords and agents look closely at:
- Kitchens: grease on cabinets, the cooker and extractor hood; the inside of the oven and fridge; crumbs in drawers.
- Bathrooms: limescale, soap scum, mould in grout and sealant, toilet stains.
- Walls: marks, scuffs and nail holes (repairs may be covered by your tenancy agreement).
- Floors: stains, dirt in corners and along skirting.
- Windows: dirty glass, sills and tracks.
- Fittings: light fittings, switches, door handles, curtain rails.
Your tenancy agreement and the check-in inventory or photos, if there are any, set the standard you are expected to return the property in. Find them before you book the clean.
Move-out cleaning checklist
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers
- Inside the oven, grill and trays
- Hob and extractor hood, including the filter
- Inside the fridge and freezer (defrosted and dried)
- Splashback and tiles
- Sink, taps and drain
- Worktops
- Floor, including under appliances where they can be moved
Bathrooms
- Toilet, inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Basin, bath and shower; limescale removed from taps and showerheads
- Tiles and grout
- Shower screen or curtain rail
- Mirrors and cabinets inside and out
- Extractor fan
- Floor
Bedrooms and living areas
- Inside built-in wardrobes and shelves
- Skirting boards, doors and door frames
- Light switches, sockets and light fittings
- Window sills, frames, tracks and interior glass
- Curtain rails and blinds
- Floors, including corners and edges
Throughout
- Cobwebs from ceilings and corners
- Wall marks spot-cleaned where the paint allows
- Balcony swept and cleaned
- All rubbish removed
Why a move-in clean is worth it
Even if the previous tenant had a move-out clean, the property may have been empty for weeks, collecting dust. A move-in clean before your furniture arrives means:
- Kitchen cupboards are clean before you put food and dishes in them.
- Bathrooms are sanitised before you use them.
- Wardrobes are clean before clothes go in.
- You do not have to clean around furniture and boxes later.
It is also the ideal time for a pest control treatment, because an empty property is easier and more effective to treat.
Timing the clean around a move
| Situation | Best timing |
|---|---|
| Moving out | After the last box has left, ideally the day before or the morning of the inspection |
| Moving in | Before furniture arrives, ideally a day or two before moving day |
| Pest treatment in the new home | Before the move-in clean, or ask us to sequence them |
| Same-day handover and move | Clean the old property after loading, then move in; possible but tight |
Cleaning a property while boxes are still in it is slower and less thorough. Plan for the property to be empty.
Tips for tenants
- Find the inventory or check-in photos from the start of your tenancy.
- Take dated photos of the property after the clean.
- Defrost the fridge the day before.
- Remove everything, including items in the store and on the balcony.
- Return all keys and gate remotes.
- Be present at the inspection if you can.
A thorough clean deals with the cleanliness part of an inspection. Deposit decisions can also depend on damage, unpaid bills and the terms of your agreement.
Tips for landlords and property managers
- Carry out a detailed check-in inventory with photos for every new tenant.
- Book move-out cleaning, minor repairs and pest treatment in the gap between tenants.
- Agree a cleaning standard with your cleaning provider and use the same checklist every time.
- Consider a pre-letting fumigation, especially in blocks with a history of cockroaches or bed bugs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a move-out clean the same as a deep clean?
It is a deep clean of an empty property, focused on the areas inspections check, including inside cupboards and appliances.
How long does a move-out clean take?
For an empty two-bedroom flat, often three to five hours with a small team, depending on condition.
Can you remove marks from walls?
Many marks can be removed by careful spot cleaning, depending on the paint. Some marks, holes and scuffs need repainting or repairs.
Can I book the clean, move and fumigation together?
Yes. We can coordinate your house move, the move-out clean of your old property and a fumigation or move-in clean of the new one.
About this guide
Written by the Cleantique Solutions team for homes and businesses in Nairobi. It is general guidance, not a substitute for an inspection or professional advice about your specific property. If anything here is unclear or out of date, tell us at hi@cleantique.co.ke.
