Getting your full rental deposit back in Singapore comes down to one document – the move-out condition report. Landlords and agents in HDB, condo, and landed rentals routinely deduct $200 to $1,500 SGD for “cleaning shortfalls” that a $320 professional clean would have prevented. This guide gives you the deposit-deduction-proof 89-task checklist Sureclean uses on every move-out cleaning job, the price ranges by unit size, and the photo-evidence playbook that has won tenant disputes at the Small Claims Tribunal.
What Is End-of-Tenancy Cleaning in Singapore?
End-of-tenancy cleaning (also called move-out cleaning or exit cleaning) is a deep-clean performed before a tenant hands keys back to the landlord or property agent. Unlike a routine weekly clean, it targets every surface a final inspection covers – inside ovens, behind fridges, aircon filter compartments, grout lines, window tracks, and skirting boards. The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) does not mandate a specific standard, but most Singapore tenancy agreements include a “return in same condition as handover, fair wear and tear excepted” clause. That clause is what gets enforced through deposit deductions.
Sureclean is NEA-licensed, ISO-certified, and rated 4.9 stars across 5,000+ Singapore homes. We have completed over 1,800 end-of-tenancy jobs in 2024-2025 alone, with a 96% deposit-recovery rate when tenants used our signed checklist as inspection evidence.
End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Price Singapore 2026
| Unit Type | Sqft | Price (SGD) | Hours | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDB 2-room | ~500 | $240 – $320 | 3-4 | 2 |
| HDB 3-room | ~700 | $280 – $380 | 4-5 | 2 |
| HDB 4-room | ~990 | $340 – $460 | 5-6 | 2-3 |
| HDB 5-room | ~1,200 | $400 – $540 | 6-7 | 3 |
| HDB Executive | ~1,400 | $460 – $620 | 7-8 | 3 |
| Condo 1BR | ~600 | $320 – $420 | 4-5 | 2 |
| Condo 2BR | ~900 | $420 – $580 | 5-7 | 2-3 |
| Condo 3BR | ~1,300 | $580 – $780 | 7-9 | 3 |
| Landed (semi-D / terrace) | 2,000+ | $880 – $1,480 | 8-12 | 4 |
Add-ons: oven deep-clean ($60), fridge deep-clean ($50), aircon chemical wash per unit ($75-$95 – see our aircon cleaning vs servicing guide), curtain steam ($45 per panel), upholstery shampoo ($110 per 3-seater).
The 89-Task Deposit-Proof Checklist
Kitchen (22 tasks)
- Inside oven, racks, and door glass degreased
- Hob, hood filter, and exhaust ducting
- Microwave interior + turntable
- Inside fridge + freezer (defrosted, sanitised)
- Behind and underneath fridge
- Dishwasher filter and door seal
- All cabinet interiors (top + bottom)
- Cabinet doors, handles, and toe-kicks
- Sink, faucet, garbage disposal area
- Grease backsplash and grout
- Countertops including under appliances
- Light fittings and fluorescent tubes
- Air vents and exhaust covers
- Floor mopped including under island
- Skirting and corner mould check
- Window tracks, frames, glass (both sides)
- Fly screens (if present)
- Service yard tiles + grout
- Washing machine drum + filter trap
- Dryer lint trap + venting
- Bin chute door and frame
- Sign-off photo of every cabinet open
Bathrooms (per bathroom: 14 tasks)
- Toilet bowl + tank + base seal
- Shower screen scale removal
- Tiles + grout deep-clean
- Mirror, vanity, taps polished
- Drain trap unblocked + sanitised
- Exhaust fan blades + cover
- Wall hooks, towel rails, shelves
- Inside cabinet + drawer wipe
- Light fittings + fluorescent tubes
- Door + frame including hinges
- Window glass, frame, and tracks
- Floor squeegeed + scrubbed
- Mould check at ceiling and corners
- Photo of every fixture clean
Bedrooms + Living + Common Areas (53 tasks)
Includes wardrobes (interior + tops), aircon casing wipe, ceiling fan blades, light shades, all skirting, all door frames, switches and sockets, balcony floor + railing, glass doors and tracks, all windows, walls spot-clean for handprints and scuffs, full floor mop including corners and under-bed area, plus before/after photo of each room. The full task-by-task checklist is downloadable as a PDF when you book – we email it together with your job confirmation.
5 Mistakes That Get Your Deposit Deducted
- Skipping the oven and hood interior. The single most common deduction line at $80-$220 SGD. Landlords always check.
- Leaving aircon filters dirty. A 5-minute filter wash per unit prevents a $75-$120 deduction per aircon.
- Mould at bathroom ceiling corners. Singapore humidity makes this a 24-hour problem. Bleach + ventilation, or a professional anti-mould treatment.
- Window tracks full of dust. Use a small brush + vacuum. Agents inspect tracks specifically.
- No before/after photo evidence. Without photos timestamped pre-clean and post-clean, your defence in any dispute is verbal only.
How to Use the Checklist as Inspection Evidence
The Singapore Small Claims Tribunal (judiciary.gov.sg) accepts photo logs and signed cleaning checklists as evidence under the Small Claims Tribunals Act for sums up to $20,000 SGD. Sureclean issues every end-of-tenancy customer:
- Signed 89-task checklist (PDF + hardcopy)
- Timestamped photo log (typically 60-120 photos)
- NEA licence number on every invoice
- Job-day supervisor sign-off + tenant signature
Forward the bundle to your property agent within 4 hours of clean completion – before the joint inspection. Most disputes evaporate at this point because the agent has no checklist gap to point to.
End-of-Tenancy vs Move-In Cleaning – What’s the Difference?
| Aspect | End-of-Tenancy | Move-In |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | You’re leaving | You’re arriving |
| Inspector | Landlord / agent | You |
| Focus | Restore to handover state | Sanitise + dust-free |
| Pricing | $280-$780 SGD | $240-$720 SGD |
| Photo evidence | Critical (deposit defence) | Optional |
| Add-ons popular | Oven, fridge, curtains | Disinfection, mattress steam |
If you’re moving between rentals, our team can do back-to-back same-day jobs. See same-day move-in cleaning for the 4-hour-response option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does end-of-tenancy cleaning cost in Singapore?
Expect $280-$520 SGD for a 3-bedroom HDB and $420-$780 SGD for a condo, depending on furnishing condition and whether oven, fridge, or aircon deep-clean is bundled. Sureclean’s 89-task deposit-proof package starts at $320 SGD for a 3-room flat.
Will end-of-tenancy cleaning guarantee my deposit back?
No cleaner can guarantee a landlord’s behaviour, but a documented 89-task clean with before/after photography removes “cleanliness” as a deduction reason under MOM and CEA tenancy norms. Sureclean issues a signed checklist + photo log you can forward to your agent or landlord.
How long before move-out should I book?
Book 7-10 days ahead during peak months (Dec-Feb, Jun-Jul) and 3-5 days ahead off-peak. Sureclean offers 48-hour slots for $40 SGD surcharge; same-day is possible for HDB units under 1,200 sqft if the unit is empty.
Should I clean before the cleaner arrives?
Empty all wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, and storage spaces. Remove personal belongings and trash. The cleaning team handles dust, grease, mineral deposits, mould, and floor stains – they cannot work around boxes, clothes, or furniture you are taking with you.
Does the landlord need to be present?
Not for the clean itself, but a joint final inspection within 24 hours of cleaning is standard. Bring your signed checklist + photo evidence. If your landlord disputes condition, request that they specify which task on the 89-point list was incomplete.
What if my landlord still deducts for cleaning?
Lodge a Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) claim within 12 months for amounts under $20,000 SGD. SCT accepts photo logs, invoice copies, and signed checklists as evidence. In our experience, 94% of disputes are resolved when tenants present a signed Sureclean job sheet.
Why Sureclean for End-of-Tenancy Cleaning
NEA-licensed, ISO-certified, 4.9-star rating across 5,000+ Singapore homes, and 1,800+ completed move-out jobs since 2024. Every job ships with the signed 89-task checklist + timestamped photo log that has resolved 96% of deposit disputes in our customers’ favour. We cover all of mainland Singapore including Sentosa with no surcharge. Get a quote on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/6569839523?text=%5BSC-WEB%3Aend-of-tenancy-cleaning-singapore-checklist-2026-guide%5D%20Hi%2C%20Im%20interested%20in%20your%20cleaning%20services%20from%20your%20website.. Browse our full cleaning services or skip straight to move-in/move-out cleaning.
