Start with a plan
Move-out cleaning differs from regular tidying. Landlords and property managers look for clear signs of wear, stains, and neglect. Start early with a room-by-room plan and tackle tasks in a logical order so you’re not rushed before handover.
Key areas landlords inspect
- Kitchen: Degrease the oven, hob, and extractor fan. Clean inside the refrigerator and defrost if needed. Remove limescale from taps and polish sinks.
- Bathrooms: Scrub grout and tile, remove soap scum, and descale showerheads and taps. Replace shower curtains or liners if they’re moldy.
- Floors and carpets: Vacuum and mop all hard floors. For carpets, arrange a professional steam clean if there are visible stains—many landlords expect this.
- Walls and skirting: Patch nail holes and touch up scuffed paint. Small paint touch-ups are cheaper than full repainting charges.
- Windows and balconies: Clean glass inside and out where accessible; sweep and remove debris from balconies.
Small repairs that save money
- Replace burned-out light bulbs and cracked switch covers.
- Tighten loose screws on handles and cabinet doors.
- Fix leaking taps or report them early to avoid major deductions.
Final walkthrough and documentation
Do a final walk-through with a checklist and take dated photos of cleaned rooms and cleaned appliances. Share these with your landlord at handover. If you prefer, book Brightnest Cleaning for a move-out package—our team follows a landlord-focused checklist tailored for Pune rental standards to help maximize your deposit return.
