Cleaning Between Tenants in Singapore: A Landlord's Turnover Checklist

The best time to clean a rental unit is the gap between one tenant leaving and the next one viewing. Do a full turnover clean as soon as the outgoing tenant hands back the keys, keep the empty unit aired so mould doesn't take hold, and give it a light refresh before each viewing or the new tenant's move-in. A clean, fresh-smelling unit rents faster and gives you a clear baseline for the next tenancy.

Here's a turnover process that works for HDB flats and condo units in Singapore.

Stage 1: The handover inspection

Before any cleaning, walk through the unit with the outgoing tenant or your agent.

• Compare the unit against the check-in photos and inventory from the start of the lease.
• Note stains, damage and missing items in writing, with photos.
• Check whether the tenant has met any clauses on aircon servicing or curtain cleaning, and collect receipts if the agreement asks for them.
• Test appliances, lights, taps and the water heater.

Clean after this, not before. If you clean first, you may wipe away the evidence of what was left behind. For the tenant's side of the process, see our guide to end-of-tenancy cleaning.

Stage 2: The turnover clean checklist

Assume the outgoing tenant cleaned to "good enough" and work through everything systematically.

Kitchen

• Inside and outside all cabinets and drawers
• Hob, burners and grates degreased
• Cooker hood exterior and filters
• Fridge emptied, wiped out and deodorised
• Oven and microwave interiors (allow extra time)
• Sink, tap and drain
• Splashback and grout
• Floor, including under and behind appliances where accessible

Bathrooms

• Toilet, including under the rim and around the base
• Taps, showerheads and glass descaled
• Grout and silicone checked for mould
• Floor traps cleared of hair
• Exhaust fan cover dusted
• Mirror and vanity cabinet inside and out

Bedrooms and living areas

• Wardrobe interiors, rails and drawers
• Window interiors, frames, tracks and sills
• Aircon unit exteriors wiped and filters rinsed
• Ceiling fans, light fittings and switches
• Skirting boards and door frames
• Floors vacuumed and mopped

Furnished units, additionally

• Sofa vacuumed and spot-cleaned
• Mattress vacuumed and aired, with a protector replaced if needed
• Curtains washed or sent for cleaning
• Bed frames, side tables and TV console wiped

The often-forgotten areas

• Service yard and the floor under the washing machine
• Balcony floor, railings and drain (condos)
• Shoe cabinet interior
• Main door, gate and letterbox area
• Household shelter or storeroom

Our service yard cleaning guide and balcony cleaning guide cover those two areas in more detail.

Stage 3: Keep the vacant unit from going mouldy

An empty, shut-up unit in Singapore's humidity is a mould risk. With no one opening windows, running the aircon or showering, moisture sits in the air and settles in wardrobes, bathrooms and on ceilings. Units left closed for a few weeks can smell musty, especially during the monsoon months.

To prevent it:

• Leave wardrobe and cabinet doors slightly open after cleaning so air can circulate.
• Keep bathroom doors open and make sure floors are dry when you leave.
• Use moisture absorbers in wardrobes and bathrooms, and replace them on each visit.
• Visit weekly if you can. Open windows for an hour, run the fans, and check for leaks.
• Run water in every tap and flush toilets on each visit, so floor traps don't dry out and let drain smells in.
• Switch off and prop open the fridge, or it'll grow mould inside.

If mould does appear, deal with it before viewings. Our guides to mould on walls and ceilings and wardrobe mould cover removal.

Stage 4: Preparing for viewings

Prospective tenants decide fast. A few small touches make a big difference:

• Air the unit an hour before. Open windows and run the fans to clear stale air.
• Wipe down the kitchen counter and bathroom glass. Dust and water spots show up in photos and in person.
• Check the floor traps. A dry trap means drain smells, and people notice smells first.
• Turn on all the lights and open curtains.
• Remove dead insects from window sills and corners.

A short refresh session before a run of viewings is quicker and cheaper than a full clean, and it keeps the unit looking like the listing photos.

Stage 5: Final clean before the new tenant moves in

If the unit has been empty for more than a couple of weeks, or there were repairs or repainting, do a final light clean the day before the new tenant arrives. Then take your own check-in photos and video and share them with the tenant as part of the inventory. That gives you both a fair baseline for the end of the next lease.

Turnover time and cost

Estimated hours for one cleaner on a normal turnover:

Cleaning Assistant charges by the hour: $20 per hour for a first trial and $26 per hour for on-demand bookings, with no contracts or agency fees. The landlord or agent provides the cleaning supplies, so you can leave a basic kit in the unit for every turnover and avoid paying mark-ups. Our cleaning supplies checklist lists what to stock. For the full guide to moving cleans, see move-out cleaning in Singapore.

Frequently asked questions

Should landlords clean even if the tenant already cleaned?

Usually yes. A tenant's clean is often aimed at passing inspection, not preparing for a new occupant. A landlord turnover clean also gives you a clean, documented baseline for the next tenancy.

How often should I visit a vacant rental unit?

Weekly is ideal in Singapore's humidity, especially during the monsoon months. A short visit to air the unit, run the taps and check for leaks prevents most mould and drain-smell problems.

Can a cleaner access the unit if I'm overseas?

Yes, as long as access is arranged through your agent, a key lockbox or a trusted contact. Make sure supplies are already in the unit, and agree on the scope in advance.

Is aircon servicing part of a turnover clean?

No. A cleaner can wipe aircon exteriors and rinse filters, but internal servicing and chemical washes need an aircon technician. Schedule servicing before the clean.

Unit turning over soon? Schedule a turnover clean as soon as you have the keys back, or WhatsApp +65 8166 0891 to arrange access and timing.