Are you nearing the end of your tenancy at your rental HDB flat or condo? You’re probably focused on searching for a new, affordable place in Singapore before your landlord makes you leave. 

But there’s another vital task you shouldn’t forget: you also need to do some house cleaning when you move out.

Let’s discuss the importance of this chore and why you might want to hire a professional move-out cleaning service for this job. 

Why Is End-Of-Tenancy Cleaning a Must?

If you’re a responsible tenant, you should always clean your home before moving to a new residence for the following reasons: 

Get Your Security Deposit Back

Rental agreements often stipulate that the property should be returned in good condition. Of course, regular wear and tear is normal for any home. But what the landlord wants is for you to give them back a place that’s clean and relatively undamaged. This increases your chance of receiving your deposit back in full. 

Maintain a Good Rental History 

Found a prospective new place? Be warned: your potential future landlord may contact previous ones to get an idea of how you will be as a tenant. Your old landlords are more likely to recommend you if you always leave their properties in great shape. 

Be Respectful to the Next Tenant

Put yourself in the next tenant’s shoes for a moment. Wouldn’t you want to move into a home that doesn’t need to be cleaned as much? It would let you start fresh with less hassle. 

Important Chores to Do Before You Leave

Here’s a quick checklist for each room to make sure your move-out house cleaning session is a success:

Kitchen

• Clear out all your cupboards and drawers so they’re free from foodstuffs and utensils. 

• Scrub your sinks and faucets to get rid of mineral buildups and mould growth

• Sweep and mop your floors to remove stains, grease, and crumbs. 

• Be sure to wipe down your counters and backsplashes as well. 

• If your rental came with appliances like ovens and refrigerators, you should have them cleaned inside and out too. 

Bathroom 

• Be sure to scrub and disinfect your toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub.

• Your floor tiles and grout lines may also need a thorough scrubbing if they’re exceptionally grimy and mouldy.

• Give the mirrors a wipe-down and polish them for streak-free shine. 

Bedrooms and Living Rooms

• Be sure to dust all surfaces and fixtures. Besides the walls, floors, and ceiling, you should include the shelves, window sills, and skirting boards. 

• If the property comes with upholstered furniture and carpeting, you can vacuum them too. 

• You ought to empty all your closets and storage spaces here as well. 

Final Touches

• Remember to dispose of your waste! Don’t leave behind bags of rubbish for the landowner to find. 

• Your lighting fixtures and air vents will also need wiping down.

• If your rental property has a balcony or patio, it wouldn’t hurt to tidy up the outdoor space too.

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Should You Still Hire a House Cleaning Service? 

Even with the list here, I completely understand if all the tasks here might quickly overwhelm you, especially since you’re preoccupied with finding a new home to rent. 

It would be less stressful on your end if you hire a company that offers professional move-out cleaning. They already know how to declutter your home more efficiently and give your rooms a deeper clean — all while spending less time to accomplish these. 

It may cost you some money upfront, but it pays off when you get your security deposit back because you exceeded your landlord’s expectations. 

A Clean Home Makes for a Seamless Move

The end of a tenancy can be an increasingly stressful experience when you remember you still have to tidy everything up first. Hopefully with the steps above, you can take a more systematic approach to your cleaning chores. 

If you need help cleaning your house before you move out, just know that you can always book a professional cleaning service ahead of time. They’ll make sure your old space will look as good as it can get.