The move-out cleaning checklist for Dubai apartments and villas

When you leave a rented home in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the landlord or their agent inspects the property before returning your security deposit. Cleaning is one of the most common reasons for a deduction — and it is also the easiest one to avoid, because it is entirely in your control.

This is the checklist our teams work to on every move-out clean, and the parts people most often miss.

Start with your tenancy contract and move-in photos

Your tenancy contract (registered with Ejari in Dubai or Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi) usually says the property must be returned in the condition you received it, apart from normal wear and tear. If you took photos or a move-in inspection report when you arrived, find them now. They show the standard you need to match.

A professional clean is not always compulsory, but it is usually the cheapest way to avoid an argument about cleaning at handover.

The kitchen is where most deductions happen

• Inside the oven, racks, trays and door glass.
• The hob and extractor hood, including the filter, which collects a lot of grease.
• Inside the fridge and freezer, defrosted and dried, door seals wiped.
• Inside every cabinet and drawer, emptied first.
• The washing machine drawer and rubber seal, where mould builds up quickly in humid weather.

Bathrooms: hard-water stains are the giveaway

Dubai and Abu Dhabi water leaves white limescale on taps, shower glass, tiles and the showerhead. Descale all of it, clean the grout, wipe the extractor fan cover and empty the cabinets.

Sand and dust: the local problem

• Balcony and window tracks fill with fine sand. Vacuum them, then wipe.
• AC grilles and vents gather dust quickly and are easy for an inspector to spot.
• Skirting, door frames, light switches and the tops of wardrobes all need a wipe.
• Floors last, after everything above has been dusted down onto them.

The four things that catch nearly everyone out

1. Not emptying the property first

Nobody can clean inside a cupboard that is still full. Pack first, clean second.

2. Forgetting building access

Many towers need a move-out permit or notice before contractors arrive. Arrange it early so the cleaning team is not turned away on the day.

3. Leaving it to the last hour

A proper move-out clean for a two-bedroom apartment takes a team several hours. Book it for the day after your furniture leaves, not the same afternoon as the handover.

4. Carpets

If your home has fitted carpets or rugs that came with it, check whether the landlord expects them shampooed.

What a professional move-out clean costs

Our fixed prices, including 5% VAT, start at AED 449 for a studio, AED 549 for one bedroom, AED 749 for two bedrooms and AED 949 for three bedrooms, with every kitchen appliance, cabinet and inside window included. If the landlord or agent flags any cleaning issue within 72 hours, we come back and put it right free.

See your fixed price in under a minute or read more about our move-in / move-out cleaning.