What landlords check at handover
If your agreement follows CEA's tenancy agreement template for HDB flats, you return the flat in similar condition to the start. Authorised alterations, fair wear and tear and acts of God are excepted, and the landlord may inspect before taking back possession. CEA's renting page also has a template for private residential property, and terms can be negotiated before signing, so your own agreement may differ.
The Inventory List matters most. Under CEA's template, it is prepared at the start in two copies, one for each party, and is conclusive evidence of the condition of the furniture and fixtures. Find your copy early: it is the base of any tenancy handover checklist.
Areas to clean before you move out
CEA's template lists what a thorough clean covers: cabinets, wardrobes, appliances, windows, lightings, furniture and fixtures. Your belongings must be removed, and damage from removing nails, screws, adhesives, fixtures or fittings made good.
| Room | What to clean | Also check |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Cabinets, appliances, lightings, windows | Each appliance on the Inventory List |
| Toilets | Fixtures, lightings, windows | Clean high to low, cleaner to dirtier |
| Bedrooms | Wardrobes, furniture, windows, lightings | Holes from nails, screws or adhesives |
| Living room | Furniture, fixtures, windows, lightings | Marks from removed fittings |
For toilets, the National Environment Agency (NEA) says to clean from high to low (wall to floor) and from cleaner to dirtier areas (shower to toilet bowl). NEA recommends ventilating during and after cleaning, and its ventilation guidance says opening doors and windows helps, with fans when needed. For any disinfectant, follow the label: the stated contact time and the protective equipment its Safety Data Sheet prescribes.
For more detail, see the deep cleaning checklist. If you are moving into another home, the move-in cleaning checklist covers that side.
Aircon servicing records and curtains
CEA's template has the tenant take a service contract with a qualified aircon contractor, service the units at least once every 3 months and produce the receipts on request at the end of the term. If a service falls due near your move-out, compare aircon servicing prices before booking.
One end-of-tenancy condition in CEA's template has the tenant have all curtains professionally dry cleaned on vacating and supply a receipt. Check whether your own agreement includes it. For curtains it does not mention, see dry cleaning or washing curtains.
Move-out cleaning prices
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published move-out cleaning rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published move-out cleaning rates from 7 companies run from S$199 to S$400 per job (middle rate S$370), for a whole home, usually the smallest size the company prices. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.
See 10 published move-out cleaning rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Cleaning Service | End-of-tenancy cleaning, studio apartment (1 cleaner, 3-4 hours, floor area < 590 sq ft) | S$110 | singaporecleaningservice.com |
| True North Cleaning Pte Ltd | Post Tenancy / Move-in Out Deep Clean | From S$199 per job | truenorthcleaning.sg |
| Eunike Living | One-time move-out cleaning, apartment below 600 sqft | S$250 to S$300 | eunikeliving.com |
| Home Clean Home | Move In/Out Cleaning | From S$280 per job | homecleanhome.com.sg |
| Detail Freak | End of Lease/Move in Clean | From S$290 per job | detail-freak.com |
| Sureclean | Move in / move out cleaning | From S$370 per job | sureclean.com.sg |
| Helperoo Pte Ltd | Move in / Out Clean ( *) | From S$380 per job | helperoo.com.sg |
| Scrubbys | End of Tenancy Cleaning | From S$380 per job | scrubbys.sg |
| Goodview Cleaning Services | End of Tenancy Cleaning | S$400 to S$700 per job | goodviewcleaning.sg |
| Home Carely Cleaning Services | Handover cleaning, 2-bedroom, furnished | S$420 | homecarelycontract.sg |
10 companies publish a move-in, move-out or end-of-tenancy cleaning line. 7 price per job, and their lowest published rates run from S$199 to S$400 per job, with S$370 per job in the middle. That middle figure is one company's published rate as printed, not an average.
The other 3 are printed without a unit: S$110 (studio, 1 cleaner, 3 to 4 hours, under 590 sq ft), S$250 to S$300 (apartment below 600 sq ft) and S$420 (2-bedroom, furnished).
No line prices aircon, curtains or carpets as part of the package, so ask before you book. Browse companies offering move-out cleaning or read the move-out cleaning cost guide.
Photos, keys and utilities
After cleaning, photograph each room and each Inventory List item as a record to set against the list from the start.
CEA's template asks you to return all keys, access cards and instruction manuals, account for every Inventory List item and return subscribed telecommunication equipment. The tenancy, the rent and your upkeep obligations continue until the keys and access cards are back with the landlord.
Under CEA's template, you do not close the utilities account. Electricity and water are needed to check appliances, taps and sanitary fittings, so the landlord applies to close it after the joint inspection or on taking back possession. Check your agreement before you call SP. SP Group says an account closes automatically when a new occupant opens one for the same premises, and any remaining security deposit is refunded after deducting the final bill.
On the deposit, CEA's template lets the landlord deduct a reasonable amount to remedy a breach only after written notice and 14 days, or an agreed period, for you to fix it. The balance is refunded without interest when the term ends, and the deposit cannot be used to set off rent.
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Compare cleaning companiesYour full move out checklist
This end-of-tenancy checklist puts the steps above in order.
Two weeks before
- Read your agreement for cleaning, aircon, curtain and utilities terms.
- Find your copy of the Inventory List.
- Gather aircon servicing receipts for the whole tenancy.
- Book an aircon service if one falls due near move-out.
- Arrange curtain dry cleaning if your agreement requires it.
- If you hire cleaners, ask whether aircon, curtains or carpets are included.
- Make good damage from nails, screws, adhesives or fittings.
Moving day
- Remove all your belongings.
- Clean cabinets, wardrobes, appliances, windows, lightings, furniture and fixtures.
- Clean toilets high to low and cleaner to dirtier.
- Ventilate during and after cleaning.
- Photograph each room and each Inventory List item.
Handover
- Join the landlord's inspection with the Inventory List and your photos.
- Produce your aircon and curtain receipts.
- Return all keys, access cards, instruction manuals and telecommunication equipment.
- Leave the utilities account open unless your agreement says otherwise.
- Check that any deposit deduction followed written notice and time to fix the breach.
Questions
Do I have to hire professional cleaners when I move out?
Not for the general cleaning, if your agreement follows CEA's template. It expects the flat thoroughly cleaned and asks for professional cleaners or exterminators only where needed to deal with pests, mould or odours. One template condition does ask for curtains to be professionally dry cleaned on vacating, with a receipt. Check your own agreement.
Can the landlord deduct cleaning costs from my deposit?
Only within limits. Under CEA's template, the landlord may deduct a reasonable amount to remedy a breach, but only after giving you written notice and 14 days, or an agreed period, to fix it. The balance is refunded without interest when the term ends.
Do I need to service the aircon before I hand back the flat?
CEA's template sets no separate final service. It has you service the units at least once every 3 months under a contract with a qualified aircon contractor and produce the receipts at the end. If a service falls due near move-out, book it.
Should I close my SP utilities account before handover?
Not if your agreement follows CEA's template. Electricity and water are needed to check appliances and taps, so the landlord closes the account after the joint inspection. SP Group says an account closes automatically when a new occupant opens one. Check your agreement first.
What counts as fair wear and tear?
CEA's template excepts fair wear and tear from the duty to return the flat in similar condition, but does not define it. The Inventory List and photos from the start help both sides compare the condition at handover.
How much does move-out cleaning cost?
10 companies publish a move-in, move-out or end-of-tenancy cleaning line. 7 price per job, with lowest rates from S$199 to S$400 per job and S$370 per job in the middle. The other 3 are printed without a unit: S$110 (studio), S$250 to S$300 (below 600 sq ft) and S$420 (2-bedroom, furnished). Ask about aircon, curtains and carpets.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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