A flat to let is not just a commodity — it's a home that someone else is taking on. Tenants who move into a clean, fresh and tidy flat are happier, more considerate and stay longer. On the other hand, a flat that smells of previous tenants, has stains on the walls and dirt under the fridge – immediately conveys a message about how much the landlord cares. This is the complete guide to preparing a flat that impresses from the very first step.
Why is cleaning before moving in particularly important?
- Legal aspect — the handover report documents the initial condition of the flat. A clean flat means a clear line of responsibility
- Rent price — tidy and clean flats achieve a 10-20% higher rent price
- Fewer complaints — tenants who move into a clean flat complain less and are less likely to request adjustments
- Shorter void period — a clean and fresh flat lets faster
- Legal protection — a documented condition at handover protects against disputes at checkout
Phases of preparing a flat for letting
Phase 1 — Inspection and Inventory (1-2 hours)
Before cleaning, go through each room and note down:
- Damage that needs to be repaired (holes in the wall, non-functional fixtures)
- Items left behind by the previous tenants
- Appliances that are not working
- Visible stains, damage to floors and walls
Phase 2 — Minor repairs (1-2 days)
- Patching holes in the wall (and painting)
- Replacing blown light bulbs
- Repair of handles, locks, mechanisms
- Replacing silicone sealants in the bathroom (if old)
- Checking appliances (washing machine, fridge, boiler, air conditioning)
Phase 3 — Full cleaning (1-3 days)
This is the core of the preparation. An empty flat is easier to clean than a furnished one.
Complete cleaning of an empty flat — order of operations
| Area | Tasks | Special attention |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Oven, fridge, cupboards, worktops, extractor hood | Inside the oven, under the fridge, behind the units |
| Bathroom | Toilet, shower/bath, taps, grout, floor | Silicone, grout, behind the toilet, under the sink |
| Living room | Windows, floors, walls, all corners | Behind radiators, ventilation grilles |
| Bedrooms | Inside the wardrobe, floor, windows | Inside the wardrobe, shelves, floor under the bed |
| Hallway | Floor, coat hangers, shoebox | Hidden places |
| Balconies/terraces | Floor, railings, windows | Corners and drainage channels |
Kitchen — the most demanding part
The kitchen, from previous tenants, collects annual grease, food and debris that are not always immediately visible:
Oven
- Apply a commercial oven cleaner (Cillit Bang oven, Mr. Muscle)
- Leave for 30-60 minutes (or as per the instructions — some need up to 12 hours)
- Wipe with a damp cloth, repeat until clean
- Remove and wash the shelves and baking tray separately
Fridge
- Switch off and defrost (minimum 4-6 hours)
- Remove all shelves and drawers, wash with warm water and a neutral detergent
- Wipe the inside with vinegar (kills bacteria and odours)
- Final step — wipe the rubber seals (they collect mould)
Kitchen units
- Inside all cupboards and drawers — vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth
- Cabinet exteriors — degreaser + microfibre
- Hob — specialist cleaner depending on the material (glass-ceramic vs. enamel vs. gas)
- Hood — remove the filter, wash in the dishwasher or by hand, remove grease from the mesh
Bathroom — disinfection is key
New tenants shouldn't even think about the previous ones. The bathroom must be completely fresh:
- Replace the silicone sealant in the shower cubicle, around the bath and the sink (old, mouldy sealant is unacceptable)
- Thoroughly clean the grout — use a SC5 steam cleaner and the grout nozzle
- Disinfection of the toilet — inside and out
- Polishing of fittings (taps, showers, handles)
- Checking drains (for leaks and odours)
More on cleaning the bathroom without limescale and odours in a separate guide.
Disinfection — especially important for short-term lets
Apartments for tourists and short-term lets (Airbnb, Booking.com) have special requirements:
- Disinfection of all surfaces that guests touch (door handles, remote controls, switches, mattress)
- Changing bed linen and towels for each guest
- Steam for mattresses and pillows — kills dust mites and disinfects without chemicals
- Thorough inventory check at every guest change
Windows — visual impression
Windows are one of the first things guests notice. Dirty windows give the impression of a neglected flat:
- Wipe the frames and sills with a damp cloth
- Wash the glass on the outside and inside
- Use a squeegee for streak-free results
- Wipe down blinds or roller blinds
Floors — the final step, a big impression
- Parquet: vacuum, mop with a special cleaning solution (no excess water), wax if necessary
- Laminate: vacuum, mop with a damp cloth and a little cleaning agent, no excess water
- Ceramic/Gres: vacuum, mop with a disinfectant, pay special attention to the grout
- Carpets: thorough extraction cleaning — details in the deep carpet cleaning guide
Furniture that is staying in the flat
If the flat is let furnished, every piece of furniture should be clean:
- Sofa and armchairs — deep clean the furniture using extraction
- Mattress — deep clean the mattress with a steam cleaner and extraction
- Kitchen chairs and tables — washing and sanitising
- Cabinets — inside, rails, shelves
Condition report on handover
Every handover of the flat should be accompanied by a detailed handover report:
- Photographs of every corner of the flat (timestamped)
- Condition of floors, walls, fixtures
- List of items/furniture with a description of their condition
- Water, electricity and gas meter readings
- Both signatures (landlord and tenant)
This document is your protection when you move out — without it, it is impossible to prove what damage each tenant has caused.
Local context
Landlords in Dugo Selo, Sesvete, Vrbovec, Brckovljani, Sveti Ivan Zelina and the Zagreb area are increasingly using professional cleaning services between tenants — especially for flats that are let on short-term cycles. A complete clean of an empty flat of 50-70 m² can be completed in a day with the right team and equipment, including a steam cleaner for the bathroom, upholstery and carpet extraction cleaning, and a general deep clean. An investment that pays for itself at the first glance from a potential tenant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many days does it take to completely clean an empty flat before moving in?
Studio flat up to 35 m² — 1 day (8 hours). Two-bedroom flat — 1-2 days. Three-bedroom — 2-3 days. With a professional team and the right equipment, these estimates are 30-50% shorter. If the flat hasn't been cleaned for over a year, add another day.
Is it necessary to disinfect the flat between tenants?
For short-term lets (tourists, guests) — absolutely. For long-term lets — a thorough clean with disinfectants is sufficient. Steam at 130°C (Kärcher SC5) disinfects the bathroom and mattresses without chemicals — an ideal solution that leaves no chemical odour for the next tenants.
What to do about the previous tenants' odours?
The smell from previous tenants (food, smoke, perfumes, pets) can be persistent. Steps: 1) Ventilation for 48 hours with the windows open. 2) Wash all textiles (curtains, upholstery). 3) Extract clean the furniture and carpets. 4) Re-paint the walls if the odour has penetrated the paintwork. 5) Use an odour neutraliser (not a masking air freshener). More on odour removal in a separate guide.
How much does professional cleaning of a flat between tenants cost?
As a guide for an average flat (50-70 m²): €200-€400, depending on its condition and the services required. The price increases if furniture cleaning (Puzzi extraction), silicone re-pointing, and a steam cleaner for the bathroom are also included. Short-term rental with frequent guest changes — look for a service package with regular appointments.
Can the new tenant move in on the day the cleaning is finished?
A minimum of 24 hours' ventilation after chemical cleaning is recommended — especially in smaller flats. Steam leaves no residue, so areas steam-cleaned can be moved into immediately. Areas treated with chemical disinfectants or cleaners require airing out.
Do I need to replace the mattress between tenants?
It doesn't have to be — but the mattress needs a deep clean and disinfection. The Kärcher Puzzi (extraction) + SC5 (steam) eliminate dust mites, bacteria and biological build-up from the mattress to a level that makes it safe and fresh for the next tenant. Mattresses over 10 years old or with visible damage — replace.
How to photograph a flat for a condition report?
Photograph every corner of each room — floors, walls, ceilings, windows, bathrooms, kitchen, cupboards (open and closed). Use natural light. The date stamp must be visible (enable date display on your camera). Store the photos in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud) for long-term preservation. Send a copy of the photos and the inventory to the tenant by email on the day of the handover.
Should the locks be changed when a tenant changes?
It is not legally required, but it is recommended. You cannot know how many copies of the keys the previous tenant has, or who has them. Replacing the lock cylinder (cost: €30-80 for a quality cylinder) is a small investment for great security. For short-term lets, digital code locks are a popular solution (you change the code between guests).
Conclusion
A rental property is your investment — and it deserves an handover that impresses. A clean, fresh, and tidy property attracts a better calibre of tenant, commands a higher price, and reduces problems. Good preparation isn't a cost — it's an investment that pays for itself from day one of the tenancy.
If you don't have the right equipment or simply want to leave the job to the professionals, there are solutions that can significantly speed up and simplify the entire process.