The short answer
Side by side
| Move-out clean | Move-in clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Tenants leaving, and landlords or agents preparing a handover | New tenants and owners moving in |
| Who judges it | The landlord or agent, at the handover inspection | You |
| What they compare it to | The check-in condition report and photos | Your own standard |
| Best time to book | After the movers leave, before the handover inspection | After any painting or repairs, before your furniture arrives |
| What gets the most attention | Kitchen grease, oven, extractor hood, limescale, marks on walls and skirting: the things inspectors check first | Inside every cabinet, wardrobe and drawer, bathrooms, AC grilles and the dust left by previous occupants or works |
| The proof | A photo report you can show the landlord or agent | A photo report for your own records |
Moving out: clean to the check-in report, not to your own standard
Your landlord or agent will walk the home with the check-in report in hand. Anything that looks worse than it did on day one can become a deduction. So the move-out clean focuses on what inspections pick up first:
- Kitchen: oven, hob and extractor hood degreased, cabinets cleaned inside and out, sink descaled.
- Bathrooms: limescale lifted from glass and chrome, grout cleaned, toilets and tiles disinfected.
- Walls, doors and skirting: marks and handprints spot-cleaned.
- Floors: machine-scrubbed and finished.
- Appliances: fridge, oven, microwave, washing machine and dishwasher cleaned inside and out.
In Dubai, security deposits are commonly 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished homes and 10% for furnished ones, so a move-out clean usually protects several thousand dirhams.
Moving in: clean before a single box arrives
An empty home is the only time every surface can be reached. Once your furniture is in, the inside of the wardrobe, the space behind the fridge and the top of the kitchen cabinets are out of reach for months.
A move-in clean focuses on what the previous occupant and any recent work left behind:
- Inside everything: cabinets, drawers and wardrobes cleaned inside and out before you fill them.
- Bathrooms: a full sanitising, because they are the one room you don't want to inherit.
- Kitchen: fridge, oven and extractor hood cleaned inside and out before your food goes near them.
- Dust from works: painting, sanding and repairs leave fine dust on every ledge, frame and AC grille.
- AC vents and grilles: wiped so the first thing the AC does isn't blow the old dust around.
One clean, two jobs
If you manage the handover, one clean between tenants can serve as the outgoing tenant's move-out clean and the incoming tenant's move-in clean. Book it after the outgoing inspection and any repairs, and before the new keys are handed over. The photo report then documents the condition the new tenant receives.
The same deep clean, done properly
Both are full deep cleans, carried out by our own trained crew, never subcontracted. Every deep clean includes our professional materials and equipment — including the high-pressure machine and steam grout cleaner that lift the finish, not just the surface — all within your agreed quote.
- A fixed quote before we arrive, based on layout and condition. No surcharges on the day.
- A supervisor check against the checklist before the crew leaves.
- A photo report when we're done, so you don't need to be there.
- 24-hour re-clean guarantee: report a problem within 24 hours and we'll inspect and put it right. Terms & conditions apply.
FAQ
Is a move-out clean different from a deep clean?
It's a deep clean timed and focused for a handover inspection: the areas landlords and agents check first get the most attention.
Should the home be empty?
Yes, ideally. An empty home means every surface, cabinet and floor area can be reached. If some furniture stays, tell us when you request a quote.
Do I need to be there?
No. Many clients leave the keys with the agent or concierge. You receive a photo report when the clean is finished.
Will a move-out clean guarantee my full deposit back?
No clean can guarantee that, because deductions can also cover damage and wear. A professional clean with a dated photo report removes cleaning as a reason for deductions.
Can you clean before and after painting?
Book the clean after the painting. Paint and sanding dust settle everywhere, so cleaning first means cleaning twice.
How much does it cost?
Each clean is quoted for your home: layout, condition and whether it's furnished. The quote is fixed before we arrive.