Move out cleaning when you leave a rental
For tenants, a move out clean and an end of tenancy clean are one job. Tenancy Services wants the place reasonably clean and tidy, with your belongings and rubbish gone. It doesn't say who does the cleaning, and you can do it yourself.
Then comes the final inspection, ideally with your landlord or property manager. Take dated photos either way. The full picture, from the clean itself to the bond, is on end of tenancy cleaning and bond and tenancy rules.
Moving out cleaning when you've sold the home
Settled.govt.nz says the property must be vacant on settlement date and left tidy with all rubbish removed. It also tells sellers to look in the sale and purchase agreement for any extra cleaning requirements, so read that clause before you book.
The buyer gets a pre-settlement inspection, usually at least 2 working days before settlement. They check that the house and chattels are in the same condition as when they signed, and that your belongings and rubbish have gone.
Moving out clean for a tenant or seller: who checks what
| Tenant leaving a rental | Owner who has sold | |
|---|---|---|
| The standard | Reasonably clean and tidy, belongings and rubbish removed | Tidy with all rubbish removed, plus anything the agreement adds |
| Who looks | The landlord or property manager at the final inspection | The buyer at the pre-settlement inspection |
| Where it's written | The tenancy agreement and the property inspection report | The sale and purchase agreement |
| What stays | Anything the landlord supplied | The chattels listed in the sale |
Your moving out cleaning checklist, in order
- Book the clean for after the movers, never before.
- Leave behind what stays: the landlord's things, or the chattels in your sale.
- Take every bag of rubbish off the property, not just into the bin.
- Tick the extras the place needs, such as the oven or carpet steam.
- Walk every room once it's done, and take dated photos.
- Gather all the keys, remotes and access cards to hand over.
Our move out cleaning advice: read your standard first
Read the document that sets your standard before you book anything: the property inspection report if you rent, the sale and purchase agreement if you've sold. Clean to that, book the cleaner for the day the house is empty, and keep the photos until the bond is refunded or the sale has settled.
