Furnished Apartments End Of Lease Cleaning: Get Your Deposit Back Stress-Free

Introduction: The Importance of End Of Lease Cleaning for Furnished Apartments

Picture the joy of moving out of your furnished apartment, and looking forward to start a new chapter in the new place—only to see your excitement going down the drain because of deductions from your well-deserved security deposit. Furnished apartments end of lease cleaning isn’t just another chore on the list of things to do before your move. It’s an open secret to ensuring 100% refund of deposit all the while winning over your soon to be ex landlord. With strict laws in place related to end of lease cleaning with a handover guarantee in regions like Switzerland, painstaking cleaning of the rentals is non-negotiable. Every nook and cranny, kitchen appliance and furniture article demands attention, as property owners expect leaseholders to return the apartment as good as new. Don’t push your luck—allocate a few hours of effort to deep clean your residence or hire professional cleaners for the task to ensure not a single mote of dust stands between you and your hard-earned precious deposit.

Do You Have to Professionally Clean at the End of Tenancy?

When it comes to leaving place at the end of lease, most of the tenancy agreements stipulate that renters must give the furnished apartment back in the same mint condition they acquired, usually needing professional cleaning service. It is repeatedly framed in lease clauses when this service is obligatory. For instance, you must hire professional cleaners when you have to meet high standards of your landlord or agency. Some rental contracts may allow occupants to carry out end of lease cleaning themselves, though this is uncommon practice in such rental lodgings where in-depth cleaning is usually imperative for ensuring all furniture, household appliances and areas of the residence live up to the professional standards.

Contrary to this, unfurnished rentals may offer the liberty of less aggressive cleaning, but it’s still necessary to return the place in well-maintained condition to avoid the risk of deductions. Neglecting this crucial step may result in unforeseen expenses or delayed refund of your deposit, especially if further cleaning or repairs are required after inspection. If you are unclear about this obligation, you must go through your lease again to evade eleventh-hour surprises, making certain that the transition materializes without any hindrance or stress.

What Does an End of Lease Clean Include for Furnished Apartments?

For a furnished apartment, it is compulsory to carry out a fastidious end of lease cleaning to ensure you get 100% of your security deposit back. Here's a detailed breakdown of the chores involved in a professional-grade end of tenancy cleaning:

General Cleaning

It is better to start with general cleaning tasks. These include:

Dusting:

Dust every surface of the residence diligently, including ceiling fans, light fixtures, furniture, windows and blinds.

Vacuuming:

You must carry out a vacuuming session of your carpets, rugs and hard floors to eradicate all signs of dirt and debris.

Mopping:

It is necessary to have your hard-surface floors mopped. While doing so, you should ensure not to neglect corners and areas under the furniture.

Deep Cleaning

Then comes the part that takes hours of efforts and stamina, i.e. deep cleaning of the apartment roomy-by-room.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is one of the most time-consuming space, requiring extensive cleaning. It involves:

Clean appliances: Thorough cleaning of household appliances, such as fridge, oven, microwave, stovetop, coffee machine and dishwasher.
A good wiping of cabinets and countertops.
Clean sink and faucet.
A good sweeping and mopping of kitchen floor.

Bathroom:

Next to the kitchen, your bathroom is another high-traffic part your apartment in desperate need of a thorough end of lease cleaning. It includes:

Scrub every surface from toilet and sink to bathtub, shower and vanity.
Clean mirrors and tiles.
Disinfect countertops.
Floors must be mopped.

Carpets:

Your carpets must be professionally cleaned to ensure no sign of stains and odor is left.

Furniture:

Dust and polish furniture.
Vacuum upholstered furniture.

Specifics: Windows and Walls

Windows:

Clean both sides of windows, including frames and sills.
Remove any grime or sticker residue.

Walls:

Wash walls to remove marks and stains.
Touch up any paint damage.

Often-Overlooked Areas

Behind appliances: The area behind your appliances, such as fridge, coking stove and washing machine, hides a treasure of dirt and grime and must be cleaned.
Under furniture: You should not forget to vacuum filth collected under beds, couches, and chairs.
Ventilation vents: You should also give attention to ventilation ducts to wipe away accumulated dirt and debris.
Light switches and outlets: Make your light switches and outlets shine like new.
Door handles and knobs: Your door handles and knobs should also be made sparkling through cleaning and polishing.
Baseboards: They have a strong affinity for dirt and scuff marks, so you must wipe them to make them spotless.

You can ensure a hindrance-free end of lease clean and a full reimbursement of your hard-earned deposit by strictly adhering to these cleaning instructions and being meticulous about details.

End Of Lease Cleaning Checklist for Furnished Rentals

An exhaustive checklist serves not only as your road map but also as your best friend when it comes to a smooth flowing of end-of-lease cleaning. It helps you remain on the track throughout the cleaning episode and makes certain that not a single corner misses your attention.

Your Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist

Here's a detailed checklist to guide you through your end-of-lease cleaning:

Living Room and Bedrooms

You have to dust every surface from ceiling fans to light fittings and furniture.
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
Eliminate, if there are, any stains on upholstery.
Dust off baseboards, doors, and windowsills.

Kitchen

From stovetop and microwave to oven, dish washer and sink, every part should be cleaned spotless.
Leave your countertops, cabinets, and backsplash squeaky clean.
Defrost and thoroughly clean your refrigerator and freezer. And while doing so, don’t forget to discard expired and wasted food items.
Wash dishes and pack them.
Sweep and sanitize the floor.

Bathrooms

Clean and disinfect every surface from toilet and sink to bathtub and shower stall.
Sweep and polish tiles and scrub grout.
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces.
Wipe down countertops and cabinets.
Mop the floor.

What Items May be Excluded from Your Checklist?

There’s no denying that an in-depth cleaning is necessary, but there are several items that aren’t generally considered a part of a standard end-of-lease cleaning checklist. These can be:

Personal belongings:

Eliminate everything personal, including clothing, toiletries, and ornamental items like photo frames, vases, clocks etc.

Delicate items:

Delicate decor pieces, such as artwork, lamps, and antique urns should be cleaned yourself with utmost care and special cleaning techniques to avoid damaging them.

Pest control:

If you've had a pest problem, professional cleaners wouldn’t take care of pest infestation. You will have to hire a separate professional service for it.

Mould removal:

Removal of mould growth is also excluded from the checklist. You will need to take care of it yourself or book a specialized service.

By strictly abiding by this comprehensive checklist and tackling the exclusions effectively, you can ensure that your end of lease cleaning goes by smoothly and efficiently to let you enjoy a peaceful transition.

How to Clean Walls and Furniture at the End of a Lease?

When it’s about the end of your lease, you need to spruce up your apartment before moving out. Why? Because sparkling apartment,that also includes walls and furniture, is a vow that your transition will materialize smoothly. Here's a guide to cleaning your walls and furniture:

Cleaning Walls Without Damage

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you learn how to clean walls without damage at the end of your lease.

Dusting:

When cleaning walls of your furnished apartment for end of lease, start the process with their dusting. Get your hands on a microfiber cloth or a duster, and erase cobwebs and loose surface dust with gentle dusting.

Washing:

If your walls are coated with washable paint, use a solution of warm water with a non-abrasive detergent. Wet a soft fabric or sponge with this cleaning solution and clean the walls gently in circular motion. Next, wash them using clean water and then pat dry with a soft piece of cloth.

Removing Stubborn Marks:

Pencil Marks: Remove ugly pencil marks with the help of a soft eraser or a magic eraser.
Grease Marks: For resilient grease-based blemishes, a pasty mixture of baking soda and water is your best friend. Simply apply it; scrub it gently and wipe it clean.
Water Marks: To remove water marks, get your hands on a hairdryer. Dry the area with it and then just clean it with a moist fabric.

Wallpaper:

For walls covered with wallpaper, clear away all the dirt with a moist cloth. However, you shouldn’t use excessive moisture because it can ruin the wallpaper.

Cleaning Upholstered Furniture

When cleaning upholstered furniture, there are several techniques that work best to give you clean and fresh cushioned furniture.

Vacuuming:

Upholstered furniture pieces are magnets for dust, dirt and pet hair. Is is best to vacuum them regularly to remove this filth and retain their fresh look.

Spot Cleaning:

If your cushioned articles are exhibiting stains and spill accidents, spot clean the area with a cleaning solution suitable for the material. Make sure you do a patch test of the solution on a hidden portion first to prevent chances of damaging the fabric.

Deep Cleaning:

If your furniture articles are extremely filthy, it may be an excellent choice to hire professional cleaning or seek steam cleaning.

When to Consider Professional Help for Furniture Cleaning

Heavy Stains:

If you are having a hard time getting rid of tough stains and blemishes, consider hiring a professional cleaner to rescue you from the challenge. He would know which specialized technique to use to remove heavy stains efficiently.

Severe Wear and Tear:

If your furniture is worn-out or has undergone significant damage, simple cleaning won’t be the right answer. Professional help would be a better approach in such scenarios.

Large Upholstered Furniture:

Cleaning of sizeable furniture pieces like sofas and sectionals isn’t a piece of cake. It would require hours of effort. That’s why it is best to seek professional help when cleaning bulky upholstered furniture.

You can make certain that your space is all spruced up and perfect for the next occupant if you stick to these essential tips and seek professional service when the situation calls for it.

How Long Does an End of Lease Clean Take?

There isn’t a standard answer for how long an end of lease cleaning can take. The timeline can vary considerably as several factors can influence the overall time for a complete end of tenancy cleaning. For instance,

Size of the Apartment:

Smaller Apartments: A smaller space like a one-bedroom apartment would only take a few hours for a DIY clean. The job would be finished in hardly half day with professional cleaners.
Larger Apartments: Sizeable lodgings, such as three or four-bedroom apartments, will require you to dedicate several days for DIY cleaning while professionals can complete the job in a day.

Level of Dirt:

Lightly Used: It is a no-brainer that if you have maintained your apartment really well, it wouldn’t take a lot of time cleaning it when moving out.
Heavily Used: In contrast, an extensively used apartment littered grime, stains, and pet hair will take hours or even days to fully clean.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished:

Furnished: Cleaning a furnished apartment is time-consuming because you need to clean all the furniture, appliances, and remove personal items during end of lease cleaning. All these prolong the cleaning time.
Unfurnished: An apartment that doesn’t have much furnishing or is completely vacant can be cleaned a lot quickly and easily.

Estimated Timeframes Required for Tenants vs. Professionals

DIY Cleaning:

It would roughly take around 4 to 6 hours for DIY cleaning a small residence.
For a mid-sized apartment, you would need to dedicate around 8 to 12 hours.
For DIY cleaning of large and spacious apartments, expect to dedicate at least two days, depending on its cleaning condition.

Professional Cleaning:

Professional cleaning wouldn’t take more than a couple of hours (less than half a day) to completely clean a small apartment.
For an apartment of medium size, professional cleaners will complete the end of tenancy cleaning in a day.
It takes professionals only a day to completely clean a large apartment, depending on the number of cleaners in a team.

DIY Cleaning vs. Hiring a Professional Cleaning Company:

The decision whether to DIY clean or hire a professional cleaning company for end of lease cleaning will become easy if you know the perks and drawbacks of both.

DIY Cleaning:

DIY cleaning seems a cost-effective option, and that’s true. However, you should know that the intense end of lease cleaning of a furnished apartment is a physically demanding assignment that requires hours or even days to complete. It also needs proper knowledge related to cleaning and cleaning products for satisfactory results.

Professional Cleaning:

On the other hand, professional cleaning is relatively expensive because of the cost required for hiring expert cleaners, but spending a small amount of money comes with a lot of benefits. Professional cleaning is not only efficient and thorough but also saves you a lot of precious time and prevents you from the trouble of putting in exhaustive efforts to clean the space.

Hiring a Professional Cleaner for a Stress-Free Move-Out

Moving out is as much stress-inducing as it is exciting, but you can alleviate the burden of end of lease cleaning by booking a professional cleaner. Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons of professional cleaning service and what you need to take into account when making your call.

Pros of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service:

Time-Savvy:

Hiring professional cleaners means the taxing job will not only be completed efficiently but also quickly. This will preserve your precious time and energy.

Meticulous Cleaning:

Professional cleaners have years of expertise and carry the right tools to properly clean every inch, ensuing an in-depth cleaning.

Peace of Mind:

You can enjoy peace of mind when you know your furnished apartment end of lease cleaning is in the hands of professionals. It can also make certain full reimbursement of your deposit, adding more to your satisfaction.

Cons of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service:

Cost:

Professional cleaning services doesn’t come free. It can be specifically pricier if you have a large apartment and requires intense cleaning.

Little Personal Touch:

Even though professional cleaners complete the job efficiently, they might not show the same amount of care as practiced in a DIY clean.

What to Look for in a Reliable Cleaning Company

When seeking a reliable cleaning company, there are certain factors that you need to check before making up your mind.

Experience:

Look for a company possessing years of experience in the field to ensure superior quality service.

Insurance:

Make sure the cleaning service you’re hiring is insured to offer you shielding from any accidents or damages during the cleaning.

Positive Reviews:

Go through online reviews and testimonials left by previous customers to assess the rate of its customer satisfaction.

Handover Guarantee:

A reliable cleaning company will promise a handover guarantee, pledging to rectify any cleaning related issues (free of cost) pointed out by the landlord or property manager at the time of handover.

Importance of a “Handover Guarantee” to Pass the Inspection

Getting a “handover guarantee” is necessary as it certifies that the cleaning company is keen on delivering an immaculate property that is at par with your landlord's standards. If some issues occur, such as need of re-cleaning of any area, during the final inspection, the company will correct them without any additional charges, offering you the much-coveted peace of mind.

How Much Does a Professional Cleaning Service Charge

The complete cost of a professional cleaning service can go up and down according to a couple of key factors like apartment’s length and breadth, scope of cleaning it needs and the location of your apartment.

Approximate Cost Breakdown

Here’s an estimated cost breakdown to help you assess your budget accordingly.

Small Apartment, including studio apartment: 300 to 750 CHF
Medium-Sized Apartment: 700 to 1300 CHF
Large Apartment: 1000 - 1500 CHF or above

Remember: You should remember that these are estimated charges, and precise costs may differ. It's recommended to acquire quotes from several companies to get a comparison of charges and services.

What Is End Of Stay Cleaning?

To define end of stay cleaning in simple words, you could say that it’s a comprehensive cleaning of a rental place before the tenant moves out of it. It is more detailed and aggressive than regular cleaning and intends to bring back the property to its original mint state. This kind of of comprehensive cleaning is widely prevalent at the end of lease in furnished apartments, where the occupants are bound to leave the property spotless and in a livable condition.

Common Practices in Furnished Rentals

There are certain practices that are commonly carried out in furnished rentals. These are:

Inventory Check:

It is a common practice that tenants and property owners usually carry out an inventory check before and after the term of tenancy to make sure everything is checked and in proper functioning state.

Deep Cleaning:

This requires thorough cleaning of every corner, including areas behind the appliances, beneath the furniture and hard-to-access spots.

Appliance Cleaning:

Kitchen appliances, such as ovens, fridge, refrigerators, microwaves and dish washers should be scrubbed spotless.

Carpet Cleaning:

It is necessary to have the carpets professionally cleaned or vacuumed meticulously.

Window Cleaning:

Windows aren’t to be ignored. They must be cleaned to sparkle from both interior and exterior sides.

Pest Control:

If required, pest control service should be hired to eradicate infestations.

Key responsibilities of tenants and landlords during the move-out process

Tenant Responsibilities:

Thorough cleaning of the property: This means cleaning everything from floors and walls to ceilings, windows and all the other surfaces.
Clear all personal items: Tenants must make sure that the apartment is clear of all personal items and trinkets.
Damage repair: It is the responsibility of tenants to mend any damage caused during their stay.
Return keys: Tenants should give the house keys back to the landlord on the scheduled date.

Landlord Responsibilities:

Property inspection: Landlord must carry out a detailed survey inspection of the property to gauge its condition.
Refund security deposit: Landlord or the property manager must refund the security deposit to the occupant after making deductions for damage or additional cleaning, if any.
Ready the property for the next occupant: He must ready the place for the next tenant by conducting small repairs, painting or in-depth cleaning if required.

Final Inspection: Ensuring a Smooth Handover

Conducting a final inspection is an essential phase in the end-of-tenancy process. It gives the landlord an opportunity to examine the condition of the property and make sure it's set for the upcoming tenant. Here's a quick summary of what you must know regarding that:

What Landlords Look For

Landlords generally look for the following things:

Cleanliness: An in-depth cleaned space, that involves floors, walls, ceilings, and kitchen appliances.
Damage: He checks the property for damages like holes in the walls, impaired fixtures or harmed flooring.
Missing Items: Every article contained in the inventory must be in its place.
Pest Infestation: he looks for any sign of pest infestation such as mice or cockroach infestation.

How to Ensure All Cleaning Tasks are Complete Before the Move-out Appointment

To make sure all your cleaning chores are done before the move-out appointment takes place, you must do the following:

Form a comprehensive furnished apartment end of lease cleaning checklist to help you stay vigilant and make sure nothing crucial is overlooked.
Prioritize your cleaning chores by undertaking the most taxing and time-taking tasks first. For instance, take thorough cleaning of refrigerator and oven out of the way first.
If you are short on time or the cleaning job is challenging, it is better to think of hiring a professional cleaning service.

Tips to Avoid Deductions

Security deposit is valuable and facing deductions from it will be an unpleasant experience. You can avoid going through this distressing episode by following these golden tips.

Record the Condition: Take photographic evidence of place before settling in and also after vacating it. This documented evidence will protect you from unfair deductions.
Discuss with Your Landlord: If you have some issues or queries regarding the cleaning demands, have a detailed communication with your landlord about them.
Resolve Issues Immediately: If you spot any damage to the property, tackle it on time to evade major deductions from your deposit.
Adhere to the Lease Agreement: You must make sure that you honor all the terms and conditions stipulated in your lease contract.

Importance of Documenting the Condition

Documenting the condition of your rental apartment has several advantages. For instance:

Conflict Settlement: If a conflict occurs over damages or cleaning condition, documented evidence in the form of photos or videos can resolve it amicably.
Peace of Mind: You will not feel stressed during the final inspection when you know you have recorded the condition of the place.
Swift and Smooth Move-Out: Proper documentation of the rental can speed up the inspection procedure for a swift and smooth move-out.

Key takeaways: Plan Your End Of Lease Clean for a Stress-Free Move

If you want to ensure a swift and stress-free handover without any major or minor deductions from your security deposit, comprehensive end of lease cleaning of your furnished place is your best chance to do so. It’s undeniable that DIY cleaning seems an economical alternative, but booking professional cleaners can be worth the cost because of its efficient and deep cleaning.

For a successful end of stay, it is better to start preparing early, curate an extensive cleaning checklist and talk with your property owner about your concerns or queries. You can significantly reduce your stress and increase the chances of complete reimbursement of your deposit if you follow these simple yet essential tips and seek assistance of a reliable professional cleaning company.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to clean everything before moving out?

Yes, it is mandatory to thoroughly everything before moving out to warrant a hitch-free handover and also evade dockings from your deposit.

What happens if I don’t clean the apartment thoroughly?

If you fail to deep clean the apartment before moving out, your landlord will have no choice but to subtract cleaning charges from your security deposit. In more serious cases, you might be faced with legal action.

Is carpet cleaning included in end-of-lease cleaning?

Yes, cleaning of carpets is usually a part of end-of-lease cleaning. It is important to make certain that your carpets are spotless and odor-free to fulfill your landlord’s expectations.

How do I prepare for the landlord’s inspection?

To be fully prepared for the much-dreaded final inspection of your landlord, it is crucial to make sure the place is spotless and all damages are addressed. Double check every corner from beneath your furniture to the spaces behind the appliances.