Cleaning and repairs for tenants when moving house

When it comes to cleaning and repairs before moving house, here’s what outgoing tenants must consider:

• Draw up a precise to-do list of items to be cleaned and/or repaired

• Completely empty the accommodation and defrost the fridge

• Make sure you have all the necessary cleaning equipment

• Clean thoroughly, starting with the least busy rooms

• Go back over your inventory of fixtures to assess which items must be repaired.

What tenant hasn’t worried about getting their security deposit back in full?

When you’ve been living in a property for a number of years, damage and natural wear and tear can occur.

Stained paint, scratched floors, dusty cupboard: a house or apartment always needs to be tidied up before moving out.

Your security deposit depends on it!

But although you are responsible for the cleaning and small repairs, you don’t necessarily have to do everything yourself…

In this guide, you’ll learn how to organise the cleaning of your home and prioritise minor repairs to ensure you’ll be getting your security deposit back when you leave.

Cleaning your apartment before the inventory of fixture is never an easy task.

To save time and energy, make sure you empty your old home completely.

This also applies to the fridge and freezer, which should be defrosted.

To make things easier to manage, try to make a list of the things you’ll need to do on the big day. We’ve included a draft checklist at the end of this article, but it’s highly likely that you’ll need to add tasks that are specific to your situation.

If you’re moving several hundred kilometres away, or even abroad, and you can’t come back to clean up after your move, you can either:

• Clean your home after covering your furniture with tarps

• Store as many of your belongings as possible in a nearby self-storage facility for the duration of the cleaning process

• Empty your home and call upon a specialised service provider

Of course, don’t turn off the water or electricity until after you’re done. :)

Cleaning your apartment or house requires specific equipment.

Without going overboard, here’s what you’ll need to be effective for cleaning and small repairs:

• Broom

• Vacuum cleaner

• Sponges

• Bucket and mop

• Bin liners

• Cleaning products (for windows, toilets, floor, oven, anti-scale spray, etc.)

• Toilet brush

• Rags and tea towels

• A toolbox for any repairs.

Our tip: if you’ve asked friends and family for help, make sure you have several sponges, rags and brooms so you can be more efficient.

Beware, buying detergent can quickly add up. And they can be harmful to your health.

If you can, consider making your own detergents using white vinegar, soda powder, lemon and Marseille soap.

Your old home can’t be restored to its former glory without a proper organisation:

1. Start with the rooms you don’t use much so as not to get them dirty again (office, bathroom, laundry room, etc.)
2. Start by cleaning the upper areas and work your way down
3. Finish with the walls and floors, making sure you close the door of each room once you’re done

To maximise your chances of getting your security deposit back in full, here is a non-exhaustive checklist of things you need to do before handing back the keys:

• Wash windows, mirrors and shower doors

• Dust doors, the tops of handles and skirting boards and clean door frames

• Clean air vents, CMVs and power sockets (don’t forget to switch off the power beforehand)

• Scour the shower, washbasin, sinks and toilets to remove limescale

• Remove stickers, nails and hooks and wash the walls, especially if you smoke

• Dust cupboards and fixtures inside, outside and above

• Clean the oven and hobs

• Dust and clean curtains and blinds

• Clean floors (parquet, tiles, carpet, etc.), using the most suitable product for each surface

• Replace old lightbulbs and wash all lamps

• Clean ancillary spaces: cellar, garage, balcony, terrace and garden

Upon leaving the property, the outgoing tenant must therefore:

• Fill any holes made in the walls

• Repaint the walls or re-apply wallpaper

• Redo the seals in the bath/shower and sink if necessary

• Unblock drains

• Fix loose electrical sockets

• Repair damaged furniture or appliances belonging to the owner

• Repair broken windows or tiles

If you have the slightest doubt, browse through your initial inventory of fixtures from when you first moved in and see what has changed since.

Our tip: it’s not always easy to see things clearly after spending several years somewhere, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from a third party with a fresh eye.

Whether you’re moving in or out of your home, painting is a simple yet effective solution to freshen up your walls.

After cleaning with a sponge or brush, apply a coat of primer to ensure better adhesion of the final coat of paint.

Then opt for a neutral, bright colour (white or beige, for instance), and preferably a single-coat paint to save time.

If you have to call upon a professional, either because you don’t have the time or don’t live nearby, don’t forget to compare quotes to assess costs in relation to the surface area you need to paint, which should be measured beforehand.