End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist Singapore: Get Your Full Deposit Back
A room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist for Singapore HDB and condo tenants, what landlords deduct for, and when to book a professional clean.
By the CleanologySG team. Updated 26 October 2026.
Moving out of a rental in Singapore? Your security deposit is usually one month’s rent for an HDB flat and one to two months for a private condo, and cleanliness is one of the most common reasons landlords deduct from it. Use this room-by-room checklist to hand over a unit that passes inspection.
Before you start
- Read your tenancy agreement. Look for clauses requiring professional curtain cleaning, aircon servicing (with a receipt) or carpet shampooing.
- Find your move-in photos or inventory list. You only need to return the unit in the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.
- Move everything out first. You can’t clean properly around boxes.
- Keep water and electricity on until after the final clean and inspection.
Kitchen checklist
- Degrease the hob, burners and backsplash tiles
- Clean the hood exterior and soak or replace the filter
- Wipe the inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer, including the tops
- Clean the oven inside, plus its racks and door glass
- Defrost and clean the fridge, including seals and drawers, and leave the door open
- Clean the sink, taps and drain, and remove limescale
- Wipe the countertops, switches and power points
Bathroom checklist
- Descale the shower screen, taps, shower head and fittings
- Clean and disinfect the toilet, including under the rim and the base
- Scrub tile grout, and treat or report mouldy silicone
- Clean the mirror, vanity and cabinets inside and out
- Clean the exhaust fan cover and floor trap
Bedrooms and living areas
- Wipe the wardrobes and built-ins inside and out, including the tops
- Dust the ceiling fans and light fittings, and wipe the aircon covers
- Wipe the doors, door frames, handles, switches and skirting
- Clean window glass, frames, grilles and sliding tracks
- Vacuum and mop all floors, including under where furniture stood
- Patch or report any wall marks according to your agreement
Furnished units: soft furnishings
Landlords of furnished units often check the sofa, mattress and curtains closely. Stains or smells there are easy reasons to deduct, and expensive to argue about. Book curtain cleaning (keep the receipt), sofa cleaning and mattress cleaning if they show wear.
What landlords most often deduct for
- A greasy hob, hood and kitchen cabinets
- Limescale and mould in bathrooms
- Dusty window tracks, grilles and fans
- Stained or smelly sofas, mattresses and carpets
- Uncleaned curtains, when the lease requires professional cleaning
- Missing aircon servicing receipts
DIY or professional move-out cleaning?
A thorough move-out clean of a 3 to 4-room HDB flat takes one person 6 to 10 hours. A professional team takes about 3 to 6 hours. If your deposit is $2,000 or more, a professional clean that costs a fraction of that is cheap insurance, especially when you’re already busy with the move.
When to book
Book for after the movers leave and one or two days before the handover inspection. That leaves a buffer if anything needs touching up. Month-end slots fill up first, so book at least a week ahead.
Move-out cleaning FAQ
Is end of tenancy cleaning required by law in Singapore?
No. It depends on your tenancy agreement. Most agreements require the unit to be returned clean and in the same condition as at the start, apart from fair wear and tear.
Can my landlord deduct for normal wear and tear?
Generally no. Fair wear and tear, like faded paint or worn flooring from normal use, shouldn’t be deducted. Dirt, stains and damage can be.
How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost?
Usually about $188 to $650, depending on unit size and condition. See our end of tenancy cleaning service.
Want it done for you?
WhatsApp us your unit type and handover date for a fixed quote.
Moving into a new place as well? See move-in cleaning.
Want it done properly?
CleanologySG deep cleans sofas, mattresses, curtains, carpets and upholstery in Singapore homes and offices. Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we’ll reply with a fixed quote. You can also browse all services.