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End of tenancy cleaning checklist for Auckland rentals
What to clean in each room before you hand back the keys, what property managers check first, and how to avoid a dispute over your bond.
End of tenancy cleans from $98 incl. GST
What the rules ask for
In New Zealand, tenants must move out with all their belongings, leave the property reasonably clean and tidy, take all rubbish away and return all keys. You do not have to leave the place cleaner than it was when you moved in.
Your tenancy agreement may add specific items, so read it before you start. Compare the property with the ingoing inspection report and its photos: that is what the final inspection will be checked against.
Sources: Community Law and Tenancy Services. This is general information, not legal advice.
The room-by-room checklist
Work top to bottom in each room: ceilings and fans first, floors last.
Kitchen
Oven inside, racks and glass door. Range hood and filters degreased. Cooktop, splashback, benches and sink. Cupboards and drawers inside and out. Fridge inside, and behind it if it moves. Dishwasher filter.
Bathroom and toilet
Shower glass, tracks and screen free of soap scum. Mould on grout, silicone and ceilings treated. Toilet inside and out, including the base. Vanity, mirror, taps and extractor fan cover.
Bedrooms and living areas
Wardrobes and shelves wiped inside. Skirting boards, door frames and light switches. Marks spot-cleaned on walls where safe. Floors vacuumed and mopped, carpets vacuumed.
Windows and doors
Interior glass, sills and window tracks cleared of dust and insects. Curtains or blinds dusted. Ranch sliders and their tracks.
Laundry
Laundry tub, taps and cabinet. Lint and dust behind the dryer space. Floor mopped.
Outside and garage
All rubbish and belongings removed. Garage floor swept. Lawns and gardens as required by your tenancy agreement.
What property managers check first
From our own job reports, the same areas decide most final inspections in Auckland: the oven and range hood, shower glass and bathroom mould, the fridge, and window tracks and skirting boards.
These are also the slowest jobs. A greasy range hood or a mouldy shower can take longer than vacuuming the whole house, so start with them, not with the easy rooms.
Auckland homes get damp over winter, so check bedroom and bathroom ceilings for mould spots even if the rest of the house looks clean.
Real examples
Before and after photos from end of tenancy cleans we have done.
Avoid a dispute over the bond
Take dated photos of every room once the clean is finished, from the same angles as the ingoing report.
Separate damage from dirt. Burns, etched glass, worn benchtops and damaged paint cannot be cleaned away. Note them and show they were there before, or report them honestly.
Clean after the move, not before. Furniture hides dust, marks and mould. Book the clean for after everything is out and before the final inspection.
Book early at month end. Many tenancies finish at the end of a month, so cleaners fill up. Booking a week or two ahead gives you more choice of day.
Do it yourself or book a cleaner?
A small, well-kept flat can be cleaned in a day by the tenant. A larger home, a heavily used kitchen, or mould in the bathroom usually takes a professional team less time and gives a more even result.
Sweepo end of tenancy cleans follow this checklist, start from $98 incl. GST, and finish with a dated photo report you can send straight to your property manager. Carpets, rubbish removal and small repairs can be added to the same visit.
Common questions
How clean does a rental need to be when I move out?
In New Zealand, tenants must leave the property reasonably clean and tidy, take all their rubbish away and return all keys. You do not have to leave it cleaner than it was when you moved in. Check your tenancy agreement for anything extra.
What do property managers check first?
Usually the oven, range hood, shower glass, bathroom mould, fridge, floors, skirting boards and window tracks. These are also the areas that take longest to clean.
When should the clean be done?
After all furniture and belongings have been moved out, and before the final inspection. Empty rooms are faster to clean and nothing gets missed behind furniture.
How much does a professional end of tenancy clean cost in Auckland?
Sweepo move-out cleans start from $98 incl. GST. Larger homes are priced by size and condition. Send a few photos for a fixed price.
What if there is damage that cleaning cannot fix?
Burns, etched glass, worn benchtops or damaged paint cannot be cleaned away. Photograph them and compare with the ingoing inspection report. Sweepo records these as pre-existing in the photo report.
Get a free quote
Send a few photos and we'll come back with a fixed price.