End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist for Singapore Tenants (Get Your Deposit Back)
To get your deposit back, return the unit in the condition you received it, minus fair wear and tear. In practice that means a deep clean of the kitchen and bathrooms, inside every cabinet, fans, windows and tracks, plus anything your tenancy agreement specifically asks for, often aircon servicing. A professional end of tenancy clean in Singapore costs about $250 to $550 for an HDB flat and $300 to $650 for a condo.
In this guide
Before you start: check your tenancy agreement
Most Singapore tenancy agreements have a clause on how the unit must be returned. Dig yours out and look for:
- Cleaning requirements: some say “clean condition”, others specify professional cleaning
- Aircon servicing: many agreements require regular servicing during the lease and a final service before you leave, with receipts
- Painting: whether walls must be repainted, or only damage made good
- Curtains: whether they must be washed or dry-cleaned
- Inventory list: everything that came with the unit, which must still be there and working
Also find your move-in photos or inventory report. Fair wear and tear, like slightly faded paint or normal floor wear, generally shouldn’t be deducted from your deposit. Damage and dirt can be.
Kitchen checklist
Landlords and agents usually look here first. Grease is the biggest problem in Singapore kitchens.
- Degrease the hob, knobs and the area around the burners
- Clean the cooker hood outside and soak or replace the filters
- Scrub the backsplash and wall tiles, including grout lines
- Wipe all cabinet doors inside and out, and remove crumbs from drawers
- Clean the top of cabinets and the fridge, where grease and dust collect
- Empty, defrost and wipe the fridge, leaving the door ajar so it doesn’t smell
- Clean the oven and microwave inside, including racks
- Descale the sink and tap, and clear the sink strainer
- Run the washing machine empty on a hot cycle, wipe the seal and clean the detergent drawer
- Mop the floor, including under the fridge and washing machine if they can be moved
Bathroom checklist
- Scrub and disinfect the toilet bowl, seat, hinges and base
- Remove limescale from taps, shower head and glass panels
- Scrub tiles and grout, and treat black mould spots in corners and on silicone
- Clean the mirror and the inside of the bathroom cabinet
- Clear hair from floor traps and the basin drain
- Wipe the exhaust fan cover and the water heater exterior
- Replace any missing items from the inventory, such as shower holders
Mould on the ceiling? Cleaning may remove surface mould, but stains often come back. A quick anti-fungal treatment and repaint of the bathroom ceiling usually costs $80 to $180. See how to deal with mould on walls.
Bedrooms and living room
- Empty and wipe wardrobes, including shelves, rails and drawers
- Wipe down skirting boards and door frames
- Clean doors and door handles, removing hooks you added
- Vacuum and mop floors, including under beds and sofas
- Remove adhesive hooks and tape marks carefully
- Vacuum or shampoo the sofa and mattress if they belong to the landlord
- Wash or dry-clean curtains if required
Windows, fans and fittings
- Clean window glass inside, and outside where it’s safe to reach
- Scrub window tracks, which often hold years of black dirt
- Wipe window grilles and the laundry pole holders
- Dust and wipe ceiling fan blades, which are easy to forget and easy to spot
- Wipe light fittings, switches and sockets
- Get the aircon serviced if your agreement requires it, and keep the receipt
- Replace any blown light bulbs
Walls and paint
Walls are where many deposit disputes start. Look for:
- Nail and screw holes from pictures, shelves or TV brackets
- Scuff marks from furniture, especially behind sofas and beds
- Feature walls or colours you painted that weren’t there before
- Crayon, stains and sticker marks
Small marks can sometimes be wiped off with a damp cloth. Holes need filling and touching up, and touch-ups on old paint often show, so painting the full wall usually looks better. If you painted a colour, check whether your agreement requires you to restore the original. We cover this in detail in do tenants need to repaint before moving out?
Handover day
- Book cleaning for after the movers leave, not before
- Take a dated video walkthrough of every room once cleaning is done
- Gather your aircon servicing receipts and keys, access cards and remote controls
- Do the inspection together with the landlord or agent, and agree on any issues in writing
- Take final meter readings for utilities and close your utilities account
DIY or professional end of tenancy cleaning?
You can do it yourself, but it’s a lot of work after a long move. A full end of tenancy clean of a 4-room HDB flat usually takes a team of three around five to six hours. Doing it alone can take two full days, plus cleaning products and tools.
| Unit | Professional price |
|---|---|
| HDB 3-room | $250 – $400 |
| HDB 4-room | $300 – $480 |
| HDB 5-room / EA | $350 – $550 |
| Condo 1 – 2 bedroom | $300 – $450 |
| Condo 3 bedroom+ | $400 – $650 |
Compared with a deposit that’s usually one or two months’ rent, a professional clean is cheap insurance. We can arrange end of tenancy cleaning, plus touch-up painting if needed, in one request.
FAQ
Can my landlord deduct cleaning costs from my deposit?
If the unit isn’t returned in the condition your agreement requires, landlords commonly deduct reasonable cleaning costs. Fair wear and tear shouldn’t be charged. Check your agreement and keep before-and-after photos.
Do I need to service the aircon before moving out?
Many Singapore tenancy agreements require it. Check yours and keep the servicing receipt as proof.
How long before handover should I book cleaning?
Book a few days ahead, but schedule the cleaning for after your belongings are moved out, ideally a day before handover.
Do I need to repaint the walls?
Only if your agreement says so or you’ve caused damage beyond fair wear and tear, such as holes or a new colour. Small touch-ups are common.
