Deep-cleaning before move-out: the checklist Dubai landlords use

Most move-out cleans are booked in a panic 48 hours before the inspection. The cost of replacing a deposit deduction with a properly done deep clean is usually 1:3 — i.e. the AED 620 deep clean saves you a typical AED 1,800 deduction.

Inspectors check ten things, in this order, every time:

1) Inside the oven. Grease around the heating element, on the door glass, and in the corners of the cavity. This is what gives a deduction faster than anything else.

2) Inside the microwave. Splatter on the ceiling and the turntable.

3) Inside the fridge. Gasket, drawer runners, the back wall behind the crisper drawer. Pull the fridge out from the wall and clean the floor.

4) AC vent grilles. Dust on the grille louvres is the second-fastest deduction trigger after the oven.

5) Sliding-door tracks. The aluminium runner of the patio or balcony door collects everything. Remove the door, vacuum the track, scrub with a brush.

6) Bathroom regrout lines. Mildew between tiles. The fastest fix is a baking-soda paste left on for 20 minutes then scrubbed.

7) Limescale on shower doors and taps. Vinegar wipe overnight is the standard treatment.

8) Kitchen extractor hood filter. Grease on the metal grease-filter. Soak in soapy water for an hour, scrub.

9) Skirting boards and door frames. Dust on the upper edge.

10) Inside cupboards and drawers. Crumbs in the corners.

We do all ten as standard on every move-out deep clean. We provide a checklist signed by the lead cleaner that you can show the agent on inspection day.