End-of-Tenancy Cleaning in Singapore: How to Get Your Deposit Back

To get your security deposit back in Singapore, return the unit in the same condition you received it, apart from fair wear and tear, and do it in a way you can prove. In practice that means three things: read your tenancy agreement for specific handover clauses, compare the unit against your check-in photos, and clean the places landlords actually inspect. Do that, and the final inspection is usually a formality.

Step 1: Read your tenancy agreement properly

Before you lift a cloth, find your tenancy agreement and look for anything about the condition of the unit at the end of the lease. Many tenancy agreements in Singapore include clauses such as:

• Returning the premises in clean condition. Sometimes this is general, and sometimes it specifically mentions professional cleaning.
• Aircon servicing. Many agreements ask the tenant to service the aircon regularly during the lease and sometimes again before moving out, often with receipts as proof.
• Curtain washing or dry cleaning.
• Fair wear and tear. Normal ageing of the unit usually isn't the tenant's responsibility, but damage is.
• Removing all belongings and rubbish.

Every agreement is different, so treat this list as a prompt to check yours, not a summary of what it says. If something is unclear, ask your agent or landlord early. Emails are better than calls, because you'll have a record.

Step 2: Dig out your check-in photos and inventory

If you photographed or filmed the unit when you moved in, those files are your best protection. Go through them room by room and note:

• Stains, chips or marks that were already there
• The condition of the sofa, mattress and curtains if the unit was furnished
• How clean the oven, hob and fridge were at the start

If you have an inventory list signed by both parties, use it as your checklist. Anything on that list that's missing or damaged will come up at inspection.

No photos? Take a full set now, after cleaning, with timestamps. It won't prove the starting condition, but it does record what you handed back.

Step 3: Clean the places landlords check

Landlords and agents tend to inspect the same spots. Put your effort here first.

The kitchen

This is where most deposit deductions come from, because grease builds up slowly and you stop noticing it.

• Degrease the hob, the wall behind it and the outside of the cooker hood. Our guide to cooker hood cleaning explains how to soak the filters.
• Clean the gas hob burners and grates. See gas stove and hob cleaning for a method that works on baked-on oil.
• Empty, defrost if needed, and wipe out the fridge. Leave the door slightly open if it's switched off, or it'll smell within days.
• Wipe inside every cabinet and drawer.

Bathrooms

• Remove limescale from taps, showerheads and glass panels
• Scrub grout and silicone, where black mould is a common complaint
• Clean the toilet under the rim and around the base
• Clear hair from every floor trap

Walls, windows and floors

• Spot-clean scuffs and marks on walls with a damp cloth. Test in a hidden area first, because scrubbing matte paint can leave shiny patches.
• Wipe window tracks, frames and sills, and remove any mould on the frames.
• Vacuum and mop all floors, including under the bed and behind furniture if the unit was furnished.

Furnished units

• Vacuum the sofa and mattress. Our guides to fabric sofa cleaning and mattress cleaning cover stains.
• Wash or dry clean curtains if your agreement asks for it.
• Wipe the outside of wardrobes, tables and bed frames.

The aircon question

Many deductions come down to the aircon. A cleaner can wipe the exterior of aircon units and, on most wall-mounted units, rinse the filters as part of a clean. That's not the same as aircon servicing. If your agreement requires servicing by an aircon company, you'll need a technician and their receipt. We don't do internal aircon servicing or chemical washes, so book that separately and before the final clean, because servicing can drip and leave dust behind.

For filter rinsing between services, see our guide to aircon filter cleaning at home.

How long it takes, and what it costs

For one cleaner in an emptied unit with normal use, rough estimates are:

• Studio or 1-bedroom condo: 3 to 5 hours
• 2-bedroom condo or 3-room HDB: 4 to 6 hours
• 3-bedroom condo or 4-room HDB: 5 to 8 hours

With Cleaning Assistant, a first ad-hoc session is $20 per hour and on-demand bookings are $26 per hour, with no agency fees or contracts. You supply the cleaning products, which is useful at the end of a tenancy: you can use up what you already have instead of paying for a new kit, and you know exactly what has gone on the landlord's surfaces.

Timing the clean around your handover

1. Have the aircon serviced (if your agreement requires it).
2. Let the movers clear the unit.
3. Book the clean for the same or next day.
4. Do your own walk-through with your check-in photos.
5. Take a fresh set of photos and video.
6. Attend the inspection with the landlord or agent, and hand over keys and access cards.

Leave at least half a day between the clean and the inspection in case something needs a second pass. For the bigger picture, our move-out cleaning guide covers planning both ends of a move.

Frequently asked questions

Does my landlord have the right to make me hire a professional cleaner?

Only if your tenancy agreement says so. Many agreements simply require the unit to be returned clean, which you can do yourself. Some ask for professional cleaning and receipts, so check the clause.

Can a landlord deduct for normal wear and tear?

Fair wear and tear, like slightly faded paint or worn flooring after years of normal use, generally isn't the tenant's cost. Stains, burns, broken fittings and heavy grease usually are. Your check-in photos are the best way to settle disagreements.

Is rinsing the aircon filters enough for the handover?

It depends on your agreement. If it asks for servicing by a company, rinsing the filters yourself won't satisfy that clause. You'll need a technician's receipt.

When should I schedule the cleaning?

After the movers and any aircon servicing, and at least half a day before the inspection. Cleaning an empty unit is faster and more thorough.

Moving out and want your deposit back in full? Book an end-of-tenancy clean for the day after your movers, or message +65 8166 0891 with your unit size and inspection date.