Rental Cleaning Checklist Between Tenants
Table of Contents
Getting a rental ready for new tenants can feel like a lot.
Between repairs, inspections, paperwork, and cleaning, a simple plan goes a long way.
Use this rental property cleaning checklist to get your home fresh, clean, and ready for its next occupant.
Quick Tip
Finish repairs, painting, and maintenance before the final cleaning so you don’t have to clean everything twice.
Before You Start Cleaning
Make sure the rental is ready to clean:
✓ Previous tenant has moved out
✓ Furniture and belongings are removed
✓ Trash has been cleared
✓ Repairs and maintenance are finished
✓ Painting and touch-ups are complete
✓ Water and electricity are still on
An empty home makes it much easier to reach cabinets, appliances, baseboards, and floors.
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The kitchen usually needs some of the most attention between tenants.
☐ Clean and sanitize the sink
☐ Clean the stovetop
☐ Clean inside and outside the oven
☐ Clean inside and outside the refrigerator
☐ Clean the microwave
☐ Wipe appliance exteriors
☐ Clean inside cabinets and drawers
☐ Wipe cabinet fronts and handles
☐ Clean the range hood
☐ Wipe baseboards
☐ Vacuum and mop floors
The kitchen usually needs some of the most attention between tenants.
Bathroom Checklist
☐ Clean and sanitize the sink, countertops, mirrors and fixtures
☐ Clean and sanitize toilet, tub, and surrounding areas
☐ Clean inside vanity and cabinet drawers
☐ Empty trash
☐ Vacuum and mop floors
Bedrooms and Living Areas
With the furniture gone, it’s finally easy to reach the spots that usually hide.
☐ Dust accessible surfaces
☐ Remove cobwebs
☐ Wipe doors and frames
☐ Clean switches and handles
☐ Wipe baseboards
☐ Clean window tracks and ledges
☐ Clean closets and shelving
☐ Vacuum carpets
☐ Vacuum and mop hard floors
Don't Miss These Spots
Before you call it finished, do one last walkthrough.
Check:
→ Inside cabinets and drawers
→ Closets and shelving
→ Window tracks
→ Baseboards
→ Behind appliances
→ Light fixtures
→ Door frames
→ Inside the refrigerator
→ Inside the oven
These little details can make a big difference when a new tenant walks in.
Clean It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
Cleaning yourself can work for smaller rentals in good condition.
Hiring a professional cleaning service may make more sense when you’re dealing with:
✓ A tight turnover
✓ Multiple rental properties
✓ A larger home
✓ A long tenancy
✓ A property that needs extra attention
✓ Limited time between tenants
Easiest Renter Turnover Checklist
1. Move Out→
2. Inspect→
3. Repair→
4. Clean→
5. Walk Through→
6. Move In→
Rental Cleaning FAQ's
What should be cleaned between tenants?
Focus on kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, cabinets, closets, floors, baseboards, windows, and other areas that may have been difficult to reach while the rental was occupied.
Should I clean before or after repairs?
After. Finish repairs, painting, and maintenance first so you don’t have to clean the property twice.
What’s the difference between regular and turnover cleaning?
Regular cleaning handles everyday upkeep. Rental turnover cleaning is more detailed and can include cabinet interiors, appliances, closets, window tracks, baseboards, and other areas that are easier to clean when the property is empty.
When should I schedule professional cleaning?
After the previous tenant has moved out and repairs are finished, but before the next tenant moves in.
Rental Property Cleaning in Seattle
Don’t want to spend your turnover scrubbing ovens and baseboards?
Seatown Cleaners provides detailed move-in and move-out cleaning in Seattle for apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses.
We clean the areas that matter like appliances, cabinets, bathrooms, baseboards, and floors.