Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Amsterdam Renters

Getting your deposit back starts with leaving the property exactly as you found it. In the Netherlands, landlords and housing corporations carry out a formal exit inspection, and they are thorough. Miss one area and a deduction follows, often at costs far higher than what a professional clean would have run.

This checklist covers every room a landlord will inspect, the most common reasons deposits get withheld, and when it makes more sense to bring in professionals.

How Dutch Exit Inspections Work

When your tenancy ends, your landlord or their agent will compare the property's current state to the original intake report (opnamerapport). Any difference in cleanliness or condition that falls below the standard noted at the start of the tenancy can result in a deduction.

The Dutch Civil Code gives landlords the right to deduct professional cleaning costs from the deposit if the property is not returned clean. That means the burden is on you to prove it was left properly, and a superficial clean is rarely convincing.

Room-by-Room Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

• Oven: cleaned inside, including racks, door glass, and seal

• Hob: degreased, including burner rings or induction surface

• Extractor hood: filter cleaned or replaced, underside and surround degreased

• Fridge and freezer: interior cleaned and defrosted, seals wiped

• All cabinet fronts: degreased and wiped down

• Inside all cabinets: shelves wiped, no crumbs or residue

• Worktops: cleaned and dried

• Splashback tiles: degreased and limescale-free

• Sink and taps: descaled and polished

• Microwave (if applicable): cleaned inside and out

• Dishwasher (if applicable): filter cleaned, interior wiped

Bathrooms and Toilets

• Toilet: descaled inside bowl, cistern and seat wiped

• Shower: glass screen cleaned, tiles and grout descaled

• Bath (if applicable): fully descaled and cleaned

• Taps and showerhead: descaled and polished

• Sink: descaled and cleaned

• Tiles: limescale and soap scum removed throughout

• Mirror: cleaned streak-free

• Drain covers: cleaned and hair-free

• Bathroom cabinet (if applicable): interior wiped

All Bedrooms and Living Areas

• Floors: vacuumed and mopped, including under the bed and furniture

• Skirting boards: dust and marks removed

• Door frames and handles: wiped clean

• Light switches and plug sockets: wiped

• Windows: interior glass and frames cleaned

• Window sills: dust and marks removed

• Cupboards and wardrobes: interiors wiped, no items left behind

• Ceiling and corners: cobwebs removed

• Walls: visible marks and scuffs addressed where possible

• Radiators: dusted and wiped

Hallway and Stairs

• Floor: vacuumed and mopped

• Stairs (if applicable): vacuumed or swept, handrail wiped

• Front door: cleaned inside and out, letterbox wiped

• Storage cupboards: emptied and wiped out

Balcony or Terrace (if applicable)

• Swept and mopped

• Railing or glass panels cleaned

• No items or rubbish left behind

Common Reasons Deposits Get Withheld

These are the areas landlords in Amsterdam most often flag during exit inspections:

Oven and extractor hood

Grease and burnt-on residue are the number one complaint. These are easy to overlook and hard to clean without the right products.

Limescale on taps, shower glass, and tiles

Amsterdam has hard water. Without a proper descaling treatment, even a property that looks clean will fail on the taps and shower.

Skirting boards and door frames

Dust and scuff marks accumulate here and are usually missed in a basic clean.

Inside kitchen cabinets

Crumbs, stains, and grease at the back of shelves are checked.

Bathroom grout

Discoloured or mouldy grout suggests the bathroom was not maintained properly.

Floors under appliances

Under the fridge, washing machine, or dishwasher is a standard inspection point.

When to Hire Professionals

A DIY move-out clean is achievable if the property is small, in good condition, and you have a full day to dedicate to it. In most cases though, tenants find themselves short on time, short on the right equipment, and unable to assess their own work objectively.

Professional cleaners bring industrial-grade products designed for limescale, grease, and hard-to-reach surfaces. More importantly, they bring an objective standard. A professional team is not emotionally attached to the property, which means nothing gets overlooked.

At Cleaning24NL, our move-out and end of tenancy cleans are designed to meet landlord and agency standards. Every job is inspected a minimum of three times before we leave. We use professional-grade cleaning products throughout, with eco-friendly options available on request.

Our move-out and end of tenancy clean starts from €239 for a one-bedroom apartment. All prices exclude VAT. Parking is invoiced separately at the applicable Amsterdam rate (from €7/hr).

Book Your Move-Out Clean

Leave the property in the right condition and protect your deposit.

Website: cleaning24.nl | Phone / WhatsApp: +31 6 85824949 | Email: cleaning24nl@gmail.com

We serve renters across Amsterdam and the surrounding area, with same-day availability on request.