Move-Out Inspection Checklist for Tenants and Landlords in Singapore
28 October 20266 min read
Quick answer: A move-out inspection checklist lists every room and item, the condition recorded at move-in, the condition at move-out and any action needed. Tenant and landlord should walk through together with the check-in photos and inventory, tick off each line, and agree in writing on any cleaning or repairs before the keys are returned.
Disputes over deposits usually come down to two people remembering a flat differently. A shared checklist, filled in together, replaces memory with a record. This article gives you a room-by-room table you can copy into a document or spreadsheet, plus guidance for both sides.
If you are a tenant trying to get your deposit back, our guide to end-of-tenancy cleaning and your deposit explains the cleaning in detail. Landlords preparing the unit for the next tenant should read cleaning between tenants.
How to use this checklist
- Print or copy the tables below into a shared document before inspection day.
- Fill in the "Move-in condition" column from the check-in report or photos, if you have them.
- Walk through together. Tenant and landlord, or their agents, check each line in the room.
- Mark each line as OK, Clean needed, Repair needed or Wear and tear.
- Photograph anything not marked OK, with the date visible if possible.
- Sign and date the completed checklist, and both keep a copy.
Your tenancy agreement governs what the tenant is responsible for. This checklist is a record, not a legal document, so check the agreement for clauses on cleaning, aircon servicing and fair wear and tear.
Living and dining areas
| Item | What to check | Move-in condition | Move-out condition | Status and action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Stains, scratches, chips, grime along skirting | |||
| Walls | Marks, holes from nails, scuffs, mould spots | |||
| Ceiling and fan | Dust on blades, stains, working light | |||
| Windows and grilles | Glass, frames, tracks, sills, grille dust | |||
| Curtains or blinds | Dust, stains, smell, working cords | |||
| Aircon unit | Exterior casing, filters, remote | |||
| Furniture, if furnished | Stains, damage, under cushions | |||
| Switches and sockets | Marks, damage, working | |||
| Main door and gate | Handles, hinges, marks |
Kitchen
| Item | What to check | Move-in condition | Move-out condition | Status and action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hob and burners | Grease, food residue, ignition works | |||
| Cooker hood | Filters, grease on hood body | |||
| Oven, if provided | Inside, racks, door glass | |||
| Fridge | Inside, shelves, seals, smell, freezer | |||
| Cabinets | Inside and out, hinges, grease on top | |||
| Countertop | Stains, burns, chips | |||
| Sink and tap | Limescale, drain smell, leaks | |||
| Backsplash | Grease and grout | |||
| Floor | Grease film, stains, grout |
Bathrooms
| Item | What to check | Move-in condition | Move-out condition | Status and action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet bowl | Under rim, base, behind the bowl | |||
| Toilet seat and flush | Hinges, cracks, working flush | |||
| Sink and tap | Limescale, drain, cabinet below | |||
| Shower or tub | Soap scum, glass, screens, tracks | |||
| Grout and silicone | Mould, discolouration, gaps | |||
| Exhaust fan | Dust on cover, working | |||
| Floor and drain | Stains, hair, smell | |||
| Mirror and fittings | Spots, rust, loose fittings |
Bedrooms
| Item | What to check | Move-in condition | Move-out condition | Status and action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Stains, scratches, under the bed | |||
| Wardrobe | Inside shelves, mould, hinges, rails | |||
| Walls | Marks, holes, mould behind furniture | |||
| Windows | Glass, tracks, sills, grilles | |||
| Aircon | Exterior, filters, remote | |||
| Mattress, if furnished | Stains, smell |
Service yard, balcony and other areas
| Item | What to check | Move-in condition | Move-out condition | Status and action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | Drum, detergent drawer, seal, smell | |||
| Service yard floor and drain | Stains, mould, blockage | |||
| Laundry racks and poles | Rust, mould | |||
| Balcony or ledge | Floor, railings, drain | |||
| Storeroom or bomb shelter | Emptied, swept, no damp | |||
| Shoe cabinet | Emptied, wiped, no smell | |||
| Keys, cards and remotes | All returned, counted against inventory |
What tenants should check before inspection day
- Clean the spots inspectors notice first: oven interior, cooker hood filters, under the toilet rim and behind the bowl, grout, window tracks and inside the fridge
- Clean under appliances and furniture, which are easy to overlook when the room looks clean
- Put furniture back where it was at move-in
- Remove all personal items, including from the storeroom and shoe cabinet
- Leave the fridge door ajar if it is switched off, to prevent smells
A professional move-out clean can cover most of these in one visit. Our move-out cleaning guide explains what it includes. Note that internal aircon servicing must be done by a licensed technician; it is not part of a household clean.
What landlords should check
- Compare against the check-in record, not against a brand-new flat
- Distinguish dirt, which cleaning can fix, from wear and tear, which comes with normal use
- Note any genuine damage separately from cleaning items
- Agree on timelines for any follow-up cleaning before the deposit is settled
Status key to copy
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OK | Same as move-in condition, allowing for normal use |
| Clean needed | Dirt or residue that cleaning will remove |
| Repair needed | Damage beyond normal use |
| Wear and tear | Normal ageing from everyday use |
Keeping a rental inspection-ready
Tenants who keep a rental on a regular cleaning schedule rarely face a stressful move-out. A weekly or fortnightly plan at $23/hr stops grease, scale and mould from building up, so the final clean is lighter. Landlords between tenants can also book ad-hoc cleans for viewings. For a broader view of services, see our guide to home cleaning services in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Who should attend the move-out inspection?
Ideally the tenant and the landlord, or their agents, together. Walking through jointly with the checklist and the check-in photos avoids disagreements later about what was seen.
What is the difference between dirt and wear and tear?
Dirt, such as grease, limescale, dust and stains that wash off, can be removed by cleaning. Wear and tear is the normal ageing of a home through everyday use, like light scuffing on floors or faded paint, and your tenancy agreement should say how it is treated.
Should the tenant clean before or after the inspection?
Before. Book the clean a day or two ahead of the inspection, so any missed items can be fixed before the keys are returned.
Does a move-out clean include aircon servicing?
No. Our cleaners wipe the aircon unit exterior, but internal servicing or chemical washes need a licensed aircon technician. Check your tenancy agreement for any servicing clause.
Moving out soon? Book a move-out clean before inspection day, and if you are moving into a new rental, keep it handover-ready with a fortnightly plan at $23/hr. Book online or WhatsApp +65 8166 0891.