Student Move Out Cleaning Checklist: Get Your Deposit Back

Moving out of halls or a shared student house is the point where your deposit is decided. Landlords and accommodation teams compare the property against the check in inventory, and cleaning is one of the most common reasons money is taken off. This student move out cleaning checklist covers what to do room by room, when to start and how to avoid deductions.

When to Start Your Move Out Clean

• 2 weeks before: read your tenancy agreement and check in inventory, note anything that was already marked or damaged, and agree a cleaning split with housemates.
• 1 week before: clean inside cupboards and the fridge as food runs down, and treat mould on window seals and shower grout.
• 2 to 3 days before: deep clean the kitchen and bathroom and defrost the freezer.
• Last day: vacuum and mop the floors, empty every bin, take meter readings and photograph each room.

Kitchen

• Oven, hob, grill pan and extractor filter, inside and out
• Fridge and freezer emptied, defrosted and wiped
• Cupboards and drawers emptied and wiped inside
• Worktops, splashback, sink and taps descaled
• Microwave, kettle and toaster crumbs cleared
• Floor mopped, including under appliances where you can reach
• Bins emptied and washed out

Bathroom

• Toilet cleaned, including the base and behind the pan
• Shower screen, tiles and grout cleared of limescale and mould
• Bath or shower tray and plughole cleaned
• Sink, taps and mirror polished
• Extractor fan cover dusted
• Floor and skirting boards wiped

Bedroom

• Wardrobe and drawers emptied and wiped
• Under the bed cleared and vacuumed
• Desk, shelves and window sill wiped
• Windows and frames cleaned on the inside
• Tape and sticky marks removed carefully from walls
• Light switches, plug sockets and door handles wiped
• Carpet vacuumed thoroughly, edges included

Shared Areas

• Living room surfaces, sofa and cushions
• Hallway, stairs and landing carpets
• Skirting boards, doors and door frames
• Anything left by former housemates removed
• Outside bins and recycling area cleared

How to Fix the Most Common Problem Areas

• Greasy oven: soak the racks and trays overnight in hot soapy water, then apply an oven cleaner to the inside and follow the label before wiping it out.
• Limescale on taps and shower screens: wipe with a limescale remover or diluted white vinegar, leave it for a few minutes, then rinse and polish dry.
• Mould on grout and seals: spray with a mould remover, leave it to work, rinse well and open a window to let the room dry.
• Tape marks on walls: roll the residue off gently with your thumb rather than pulling, as pulling can lift the paint.
• Carpet stains: blot with clean warm water and a small amount of carpet cleaner, working from the outside in, and never rub.

How to Avoid Student Deposit Deductions

Deposit deductions for cleaning usually come down to grease, limescale, mould and items left behind. A few habits make a big difference.

• Photograph every room after cleaning so you have a dated record.
• Compare each room against the check in inventory, not against how it looked last week.
• Remove every belonging and bag of rubbish.
• Report anything you could not fix before you leave.
• Attend the check out inspection if you are allowed to.

In a private student house in England, your deposit should be held in a government backed deposit protection scheme, which offers a free dispute service if you think a deduction is unfair.

Halls Compared With Private Student Houses

University halls usually have a set checklist and a room inspection, and charges are often fixed per item. Private student houses are judged against the inventory, so the standard is the condition at move in, allowing for fair wear and tear. In a shared house, deductions are often split between all tenants, which is why agreeing the cleaning split early matters. For keeping on top of things during the year, see our student cleaning rota guide.

Should You Book a Professional Clean?

After a busy year, the oven and bathroom are usually the hardest parts to bring back to inventory standard. Landlords and accommodation providers often book professional student accommodation cleaning between tenancies, and splitting the cost of a professional clean between housemates is often cheaper than losing part of every deposit.