End of tenancy cleaning for Dunedin flats
The same standard for every flat
Tenancy Services asks for the place to be reasonably clean and tidy when you go, with your belongings and rubbish gone. A student flat is held to that, nothing more. Tenancy Services gives a condition requiring a cleaning company at the end as an example of one that could breach the law.
Flats handed over dirty
In 2025 RNZ reported students moving into North Dunedin flats that hadn't been cleaned: dirt through the house, mould on a ceiling, and in one flat grease, rubbish, broken glass and rotting food. Whoever moves in next lives with whatever is left behind.
Damp follows students around
A University of Otago, Wellington survey of 522 tertiary students found 49 percent said their homes were sometimes or always damp, against 22 percent of the general population. Tenancy Services also assessed a number of North Dunedin flats in May 2025. Expect mould on ceilings and sills to come up when the flat is quoted.
No more council rubbish bags
Since 1 July 2024, Dunedin City Council's red-lidded rubbish bin has replaced the pre-paid DCC rubbish bags, with green, yellow and blue bins for food and garden waste, recycling and glass. A whole flat's worth of rubbish won't fit in one bin, so start clearing weeks out, not on the last night.
Before the last day: move out cleaning a Dunedin flat
- Check who's named on the tenancy agreement and who's a flatmate, and agree who is paying for the clean.
- Dig out the property inspection report from the day you moved in.
- Empty the fridge, pantry, shed and wardrobes, and get the couches gone.
- Keep the power connected until the cleaner has finished, so the oven, vacuum and hot water all work.
- List every mould spot on ceilings, sills and wardrobe backs so it's in the quote.
- Photograph each room once it's empty and done, with the date showing.
Our take: book Dunedin end of tenancy cleaners last
Book the clean for after the last flatmate has moved out, never before, then do the final inspection with the landlord or property manager in person. Take your dated photos and the move-in report. If anything is disputed, write it down there and then rather than arguing about it weeks later.
