A clear place to start
Focus on a reasonably clean and tidy home, with access to the areas being checked. Keep cleaning tasks separate from repairs to report. This guide is for a routine inspection during your tenancy, with no promise of an inspection result.
Start with the rooms you use every day
Walk through your home with a short list. Clear the surfaces you intend to clean, put belongings where they belong and leave access to fittings that may need checking. You do not need to pack up your home for a routine inspection.
| Area | Cleaning to consider | Check separately |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Remove food scraps, wipe the bench and sink, clean the hob and deal with visible grease. Sweep or vacuum, then clean the floor as suitable for its finish. | Note a leaking tap, damaged fitting or appliance fault for the property manager. |
| Bathroom and laundry | Clean the basin, toilet and shower surfaces. Remove rubbish and hair, wipe accessible surfaces and clean the floor. | Record persistent damp, leaks or an extractor that is not working. Cleaning cannot repair these problems. |
| Living areas and bedrooms | Vacuum accessible floors, dust reachable surfaces and clear routes around furniture. Put away loose items that obstruct access. | Note damage or a fitting needing attention. Do not conceal it with furniture or a temporary cover. |
| Entrances and windows | Remove everyday dirt around the entrance and wipe accessible interior sills. Put household rubbish in the appropriate bins. | Discuss inaccessible glass or work at height separately. It is not an assumed part of a home clean. |
This is a planning list, not a compulsory professional-cleaning package. Choose work that fits the actual condition of your home and confirm any paid cleaning scope before booking.
Decide what to clean and what to report
A routine inspection also helps identify maintenance needs. Keep a separate note of anything that needs the landlord or property manager’s attention, with its location and when you noticed it.
| What you notice | Useful next step |
|---|---|
| Everyday dust, crumbs or rubbish | Add it to your household cleaning list or discuss it in a cleaning enquiry. |
| A recurring damp patch, leak or broken fan | Report it to the property manager. Record what you see and where; do not assume a deeper clean will solve the cause. |
| A stain or surface you are unsure how to clean | Identify the material and ask before using a treatment. Tell the cleaner about it when agreeing scope. |
| A request you do not understand | Ask the property manager to clarify it. Use Tenancy Services for tenancy guidance rather than treating a commercial cleaning checklist as a legal standard. |
Tenancy Services describes the ongoing standard as reasonably clean and tidy. Its guidance also distinguishes cleaning from repair responsibilities. See the official references below for your circumstances.
Ask for help with a clear scope
If time or a build-up of cleaning is the issue, tell Peace of Mind which rooms need attention and that you are staying in the property. The team offers one-off, deeper and regular home cleaning, with a tailored quote.
- Share your Wellington suburb, number of rooms and the date you are working towards.
- Identify the surfaces and tasks you want assessed, including any unusual build-up.
- Say what you will tidy beforehand and which jobs you will do yourself.
- Mention pets, access arrangements and any product or surface requirements.
- Ask what can be included and whether your preferred timing is available before relying on a visit.
If you are moving out, use the move-out cleaning checklist instead. It covers final handover, which has a different sequence from preparing a home you still live in.
Make it practical
An enquiry you can adapt
“We are staying in our two-bedroom rental in Wellington and have a routine inspection coming up. We can tidy belongings and handle the bedrooms. We would like a quote for the kitchen, bathroom and shared floors. Can you confirm the tasks and whether our preferred date is available?”
A few helpful details
Is this the same as an end-of-tenancy clean?
No. A routine inspection takes place while you are living in the home. Moving out involves an emptying and final-handover sequence. Use our moving-out checklist if your tenancy is ending.
Do I need to book a professional clean?
This checklist is not a requirement to hire a cleaner. You can do the everyday cleaning yourself. If you want help, discuss the tasks and a tailored quote with Peace of Mind.
Can cleaning fix a damp or maintenance problem?
Cleaning does not repair a leak or a faulty extractor. Note recurring damp or faults and report them to the property manager. Confirm any specialist assessment separately.
Helpful references
Service information and guidance checked 30 September 2026. Confirm the scope for your space.