End-of-tenancy cleaning is one of the most stressful steps for many tenants in Switzerland. And for good reason: a poorly done final cleaning can be expensive, with deductions from the rental deposit ranging from CHF 200 to more than CHF 800. This guide explains everything you need to know: Swiss legal requirements, what property managers check point by point, professional cleaning prices in 2026, and a complete room-by-room checklist so you do not forget anything.
End-of-tenancy cleaning: what does Swiss law say?
The Swiss Code of Obligations, Article 267, is clear: the tenant must return the property in the condition in which they received it, taking into account normal wear and tear resulting from proper use under the rental agreement. The distinction between “normal wear and tear” and “damage” is often a source of conflict.
What counts as normal wear and tear:
- A slightly scratched parquet floor after 5 years of occupancy: normal
- White paint that has yellowed after 8 years: normal
- Slightly dull silicone joints in the shower after 3 years: normal
- Signs of wear on carpet in high-traffic areas: normal
What is NOT normal wear and tear:
- Black mould in shower joints due to lack of ventilation: not normal
- Grease stains ingrained in the kitchen extractor hood: not normal
- A dirty oven with carbonised food residue: not normal
- Thick limescale deposits on taps and fittings: not normal
- Unfilled holes in the walls: not normal
If the property is not cleaned properly, the property manager will record the defects during the exit inspection. The landlord may then hire a cleaning company and deduct the cost from your rental deposit, which is usually equivalent to 3 months’ rent and held in a blocked account. The amounts deducted vary: CHF 200 to 400 for partial cleaning, CHF 500 to 800 for a full professional re-clean. Repair costs may also be added if damage is identified.
In other words, failing to clean properly almost always ends up costing more than doing it yourself properly or hiring a professional.
What property managers check during the exit inspection
Professional property managers follow a detailed inspection grid. They check each room methodically. Here is exactly what they look at.
Kitchen:
- Oven: interior walls, base, ceiling, racks and trays, glass door, between the two panes if removable, and seals
- Extractor hood: grease filters, which must be degreased or replaced, visible duct area, and exterior surface
- Fridge/freezer: vegetable drawers, shelves, rubber seals, which are often black with mould, and underneath the appliance if built in
- Dishwasher: bottom filter, spray arms, door seals, inside of the door, and lower edge
- Sink and taps: limescale around the tap, drain, visible siphon, and silicone joint between the sink and the worktop
- Splashback: grease splashes and tile joints
- Cupboards: inside EVERY cupboard, including the top shelves that nobody ever looks at. The property manager will.
- Top of wall-mounted kitchen units: greasy dust build-up, often forgotten
Bathroom:
- Shower/bathtub: silicone joints, as mould almost systematically leads to deductions, glass screen, limescale marks, taps, shower head, shower tray or bathtub base
- Toilet: bowl, including under the rim where most people do not clean, underneath and behind the seat, toilet seat hinges, outside of the cistern, and floor around the toilet
- Washbasin: basin, tap, overflow, visible siphon, and mirror above
- Bathroom cabinet: inside, including shelves and inner mirror, toothpaste marks, and product residue
- Ventilation: ventilation grille, often covered in dust
Bedrooms and living room:
- Skirting boards: often dusty, especially behind furniture
- Radiators: underneath and between the elements, where dust builds up
- Window sills: inside, including grooves
- Walls: fingerprints, furniture marks, tape marks
- Switches and sockets: fingerprints and surrounding marks
- Blinds and slats: dust accumulated on each slat
Entrance hall and corridors:
- Mailbox, inside if accessible
- Shoe cabinet or cloakroom if fixed to the wall
- Doorbell and intercom, including fingerprints
- Doormat, cleaned or replaced if provided with the apartment
Balcony/terrace:
- Floor, swept and washed if tiled
- Balustrade, inside and outside
- Water drain, cleared of leaves and debris
Cellar and garage: if mentioned in the lease, they must be emptied and swept. Cobwebs must be removed.
Shared laundry room: if a washing machine is assigned to you, clean the detergent drawer, the door seal, and run an empty 90°C cycle.
End-of-tenancy cleaning: should you do it yourself or hire a cleaning company?
This is the question every tenant asks. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
Doing it yourself:
- Main advantage: it is free, apart from cleaning products, which usually cost CHF 40 to 80 for specific products
- You control the result and can focus on the important areas
- Main disadvantage: time. Expect 8 to 12 hours of intensive work for a 3-room apartment, and up to 16 to 20 hours for a 5-room apartment. It is exhausting.
- You will need specific products, such as professional limescale remover, oven degreaser, and a grout brush
- The risk of missing areas that the property manager will check is real, especially if this is your first move in Switzerland
Hiring a specialised cleaning company:
- Professionals know the standards expected by property managers and know exactly what will be checked
- Re-cleaning guarantee: if the property manager notes defects, the company comes back to correct them free of charge
- Major time saving: you can focus on the move itself
- Cost depends on the size and condition of the property
Indicative professional cleaning prices in 2026:
- Studio or 2-room apartment: CHF 250 to 400
- 3-room apartment: CHF 350 to 550
- 4 to 5-room apartment: CHF 500 to 750
- Detached house: CHF 700 to 1,200
These prices vary depending on the condition of the property, the region, and the cleaning company chosen. A very dirty apartment will cost more. In Geneva, prices are on average 10 to 15% higher than in Fribourg.
MénageSimple offers an end-of-tenancy cleaning service with a re-cleaning guarantee. If the property manager identifies any points to correct, we come back and fix them at no extra cost. Contact us for a quote adapted to your property.
Complete end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist
Use this room-by-room checklist to make sure you do not forget anything. Each point corresponds to an item that property managers systematically check.
Kitchen:
- ☐ Oven: interior, racks, base, glass door, including between the panes
- ☐ Hob: surface and surrounding edges
- ☐ Extractor hood: grease filters, exterior surface, visible duct area
- ☐ Fridge: drawers, shelves, seals, underneath and behind
- ☐ Freezer: defrosted and cleaned
- ☐ Dishwasher: filter, spray arms, door seal, inside of the door
- ☐ Sink: basin, tap, drain, silicone joint
- ☐ Splashback: tiles and joints
- ☐ Worktop: entire surface, including corners
- ☐ Inside every cupboard and drawer
- ☐ Top of wall-mounted kitchen units
- ☐ Sockets and switches
- ☐ Floor: swept and washed, including under moved furniture
Bathroom:
- ☐ Shower/bathtub: screen, taps, silicone joints, tray or tub base
- ☐ Toilet: bowl, under the rim, seat, hinges, cistern, floor around it
- ☐ Washbasin: basin, tap, overflow, siphon
- ☐ Mirror: streak-free
- ☐ Bathroom cabinet: inside and outside
- ☐ Wall tiles: joints degreased
- ☐ Ventilation grille: dust removed
- ☐ Floor: washed, including behind the toilet and under the vanity unit
Bedrooms:
- ☐ Floor: vacuumed and washed
- ☐ Skirting boards: dusted all around the room
- ☐ Radiators: underneath, above, and between the elements
- ☐ Window sills: cleaned, including grooves
- ☐ Windows: interior glass and frames
- ☐ Blinds/slats: each slat dusted
- ☐ Switches and sockets: fingerprints removed
- ☐ Built-in wardrobes: inside, shelves, hanging rails
- ☐ Walls: tape marks and furniture marks removed
Living room:
- ☐ Floor: fully vacuumed and washed
- ☐ Skirting boards and radiators
- ☐ Interior windows and window sills
- ☐ Blinds/slats
- ☐ Sockets, switches, and marks on walls
- ☐ Ceiling light fixtures: dusted
Entrance hall and corridors:
- ☐ Floor
- ☐ Mailbox, inside
- ☐ Shoe cabinet/cloakroom: inside cleaned
- ☐ Doorbell and intercom
- ☐ Front door: inside and outside, including handle
Balcony/terrace:
- ☐ Floor swept and washed
- ☐ Balustrade cleaned
- ☐ Water drain cleared
Cellar/garage:
- ☐ Emptied of all personal belongings
- ☐ Floor swept
- ☐ Cobwebs removed
Laundry room:
- ☐ Washing machine: detergent drawer, seal, empty cycle
- ☐ Tumble dryer: filter cleaned if assigned
Essential products for end-of-tenancy cleaning
If you do the cleaning yourself, here is the list of products you should have ready. Do not rely only on basic household products: for end-of-tenancy cleaning, you need concentrated and specific products.
- Powerful limescale remover, such as Viakal or concentrated citric acid: for taps, shower screens, and toilets. Limescale is one of the most closely checked points in French-speaking Switzerland.
- Oven degreaser, such as an oven cleaner spray: essential for the inside of the oven and the racks. Leave it to act for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight.
- Glass cleaner, spray or diluted concentrate: for windows, mirrors, and glass shower screens. Use a microfibre cloth to avoid streaks.
- Multi-surface cleaner: for worktops, cupboards, and everyday surfaces.
- Non-scratch sponge: be careful, standard green sponges can scratch stainless steel and certain surfaces. Use a white sponge or microfibre cloth.
- Microfibre cloths, minimum 4 to 6: one for glass, one for bathrooms, one for the kitchen, and one for dry surfaces.
- Grout brush: an old toothbrush can work, but a professional grout brush is more effective for tile and silicone joints.
- Powerful vacuum cleaner and mop: always vacuum before washing the floor. Always. Otherwise, you simply spread dust around.
Product budget: expect CHF 40 to 80 if you need to buy everything. If you already have a limescale remover and a degreaser, CHF 20 to 30 should be enough.
When and how to organise end-of-tenancy cleaning
Timing is a key success factor. Here is how to organise the process properly.
Step 1: empty the apartment completely. End-of-tenancy cleaning is done AFTER the move, once the apartment is empty. You cannot properly clean behind a sofa if the sofa is still there. Plan your move at least 3 to 4 days before handing back the keys.
Step 2: deep clean the property, 2 or 3 days before handover. Always start from the top and finish at the bottom. First clean shelves and the top of furniture, then wall surfaces, appliances, bathrooms, and finally floors. If you start with the floors, you will need to clean them again after everything else.
Step 3: do a second check the day before, J-1. After the first intensive cleaning, come back the next day to check the details. Some limescale or grease marks reappear once surfaces dry. This second pass usually takes 1 to 2 hours and can make all the difference.
Step 4: take photos. Before handing back the keys, photograph every room from several angles. Take photos of the inside of the oven, bathrooms, and windows. These photos serve as evidence in case of a dispute during the exit inspection. Your smartphone automatically timestamps them.
One final tip: air the apartment after cleaning. A home that smells clean makes a better impression than one that has been closed up and smells stale. However, do not leave the windows open too long in winter, as dust can get in.
Exit inspection: your rights as a tenant
The exit inspection can be stressful, but you have rights. Knowing them helps you defend your position calmly.
You have the right to be present. The property manager cannot conduct the exit inspection without you or your representative. Be present, attentive, and do not hesitate to ask questions about each comment.
You can dispute comments. If the property manager notes a defect that you consider to be normal wear and tear, say so clearly and ask for your objection to be recorded in the inspection report. Sign the document by adding “subject to reservation” next to the disputed points. Never sign an exit inspection report without reading it carefully.
The property manager must report defects quickly. According to case law, the landlord must report hidden defects, meaning defects not visible during the exit inspection, within a reasonable period, generally 2 to 3 weeks. After this period, the defects are deemed accepted.
ASLOCA can help you. The Swiss Tenants’ Association, ASLOCA, offers legal advice to its members. In case of a dispute over the rental deposit or the exit inspection, they can support you in the process. Membership costs between CHF 50 and CHF 100 per year depending on the canton.
The Rental Court as a last resort. If no agreement is reached, you can bring the matter before the Rental Court of your canton. The procedure is free in most cantons and does not require a lawyer. The court decides based on the exit inspection report and the evidence provided, which is why photos are important.
Frequently asked questions about end-of-tenancy cleaning
Do I need to clean the outside of the windows?
No, exterior windows are generally not part of the tenant’s obligations, unless stated otherwise in the lease. Interior windows, however, must be spotless. If you are on the ground floor and the exterior windows are easily accessible, cleaning them is appreciated but not usually mandatory.
Do I need to fill holes in the walls and repaint?
Small dowel holes, up to around 6 to 8 mm, should be filled with white filler and sanded. You are not required to repaint if the paint is in good condition and its estimated lifespan has not been exceeded, usually 8 to 10 years for white paint. However, if you painted a wall in colour, you will usually need to restore it to white.
How long does it take to get the rental deposit back?
If the exit inspection is completed without remarks, the rental deposit is usually released within 30 to 60 days, depending on the bank and property management company. In case of a dispute, the process can take much longer: the landlord has one year to assert claims, and the bank will only release the funds with both parties’ agreement or a court decision.
There are several tenants on the lease. Who is responsible for cleaning?
All co-tenants are jointly and severally liable. This means the landlord can claim the full amount of cleaning or repair costs from any one of you. Organise the work between flatmates or share the cost of hiring a professional.
I had pets. Are there any special precautions?
Yes. Pets leave specific traces: scratches on parquet or doors, odours absorbed into carpets or curtains, and hair in ventilation grilles. Deep clean all textiles, treat any urine stains with an enzymatic cleaner, and air the property thoroughly. If the parquet is scratched beyond normal wear and tear, sanding costs may be deducted.
Does the cleaning company offer a re-cleaning guarantee?
Serious cleaning companies offer a re-cleaning guarantee. If the property manager identifies insufficiently cleaned areas during the exit inspection, the company comes back to correct them at no extra cost. Check this guarantee before signing a quote. At MénageSimple, this guarantee is included in all our end-of-tenancy cleaning services.
My entry inspection was never carried out. What happens?
If no entry inspection was carried out, the apartment is presumed to have been handed over in good condition at the start of the lease. This is an unfavourable situation for the tenant because you cannot prove that certain defects already existed before you moved in. Clean with particular care and document everything with photos.
What is the difference between standard cleaning and end-of-tenancy cleaning?
Standard cleaning covers regular maintenance: floors, surfaces, and basic bathroom cleaning. End-of-tenancy cleaning is much more thorough: it includes the inside of every appliance, joints, filters, cupboard interiors, complete descaling, and cleaning blinds slat by slat. Expect end-of-tenancy cleaning to take 2 to 3 times longer than regular home cleaning. For your regular cleaning service in Geneva or in Lausanne, the standards are different.
Looking for a regular home cleaning service after your move? View our cleaning prices by canton or discover our services in Fribourg. Our customer reviews speak for themselves. And if you have questions about the ideal cleaning frequency for your new home or the salary of a cleaner in Switzerland, we have the answers.
