A clear place to start
Start with a room list, decide who will do each task and keep an access window after the move. A checklist helps organise work; it cannot guarantee a bond outcome.
Before moving day: assign the work
Walk through the property while there is still time to plan. Separate cleaning from repairs and belongings that need removing. If several people share the home, give each task an owner rather than assuming someone else will do it.
- Check when belongings will leave and when keys are due back.
- List rooms and any cupboards or appliances that need attention.
- Arrange rubbish removal and clearing of personal items.
- Decide which jobs you will do and which you want quoted.
- If hiring help, confirm access and availability before relying on the moving timetable.
After the rooms are clear: work through the list
Use the actual condition to decide what needs doing. The prompts below are a practical planning list, not a statement that every rental requires every task or that every task is included in a cleaning quote.
| Area | Check before handover |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Benches, sink, hob, cupboard surfaces and requested appliance interiors. |
| Bathroom and toilet | Fixtures, shower or bath, vanity, mirror and floor. |
| Bedrooms and living rooms | Empty storage, accessible surfaces, reachable edges and floors. |
| Glass | Accessible panes, sills or tracks where attention is needed. |
| Remaining items | Rubbish, personal belongings and any agreed items that should remain. |
| Separate concerns | Carpet condition, damage or issues requiring discussion rather than extra cleaning. |
Keep the final walkthrough useful
For residential tenancies, Tenancy Services says the premises should be left reasonably clean and tidy. It also states tenants do not automatically have to have carpets professionally cleaned. Check its guidance if a request seems unclear, and discuss the actual condition with the other party.
- Look through each room against the work you agreed.
- Record the condition and any unresolved points before returning keys.
- Keep cleaning receipts if you have them, without treating them as proof of every issue.
- Raise any missed agreed task promptly with the cleaner.
- Leave time for the handover conversation rather than scheduling everything back-to-back.
Make it practical
An example to adapt
“Moving day: belongings and rubbish cleared. Cleaning window: access confirmed after removal. Responsibilities: flatmates handle their rooms; cleaner quotes kitchen, bathroom and floors. Final walkthrough: check completed scope, note unresolved issues, then return keys as arranged.”
A few helpful details
Do I have to pay for a professional clean?
A professional clean is not a universal requirement. The official tenancy standard is reasonably clean and tidy; refer to Tenancy Services for your situation.
Should carpet cleaning always be on the list?
Assess the actual condition and read the official guidance. Professional carpet cleaning is not automatically required at the end of a tenancy.
Helpful references
Service information checked 20 September 2026. Guides are planning aids; confirm the scope for your space.