Moving Out Cleaning: The Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

You're leaving your flat in Luxembourg. The boxes are almost ready, the new property awaits you. But there's this famous step that many dread: the check-out inspection. And above all, the question that matters: will you get your deposit back?

Good news: since 1st August 2024, a new law better protects tenants. But to benefit from it, you still need to return the property in decent condition. We'll explain everything.

What Changed with the 2024 Law

The law of 23 July 2024 has changed quite a lot for tenants in Luxembourg. Here's what you need to know:

Deposit Reduced from 3 to 2 Months

Before, landlords could ask for up to 3 months' rent as guarantee. Now, it's maximum 2 months. For a rent of €1,500, that's €1,500 less to pay upfront. Not negligible when you're moving.

Landlord Must Refund You Faster

This is the most important change. Now, according to Guichet.lu:

• 50% of the deposit must be returned within the month following key handover
• The balance is refunded within the month following the final statement of charges

And if the landlord delays? After formal notice by registered letter, they must pay a penalty of 10% of the rent per month of delay. That should motivate a few.

What Hasn't Changed

The basic principle remains the same: you must return the property in the condition in which you received it, normal wear and tear excepted. Small nail holes for hanging pictures? That's not damage. A wall smashed by a brutal removal? That's different.

Why End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Is Crucial

Even with the new law, a dirty flat remains grounds for withholding deposit. And believe us, landlords (and especially agencies) look closely.

What They Really Inspect

We've accompanied dozens of clients before their check-out inspection. Here's what landlords systematically check:

• Inside the oven: it's almost always the first thing they open
• Bathroom joints: black marks = mould = problem
• Behind and under furniture: where nobody cleans for years
• Windows: inside AND outside (yes, both sides)
• Skirting boards: a classic oversight
• Inside cupboards: often neglected
• Marks on walls: furniture marks, fingers, splashes

The Cost of Cleaning Invoiced by the Landlord

If the landlord deems the cleaning insufficient, they can call in a company and deduct the costs from your deposit. The problem? They have no obligation to seek the best price. Result: the bill can easily reach double what an anticipated cleaning would have cost you.

In short: better to pay for a professional yourself than to let the landlord choose (and invoice) on your behalf.

Complete End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Checklist

Let's get practical. Here's everything that needs cleaning, room by room. Take notes (or keep this page open).

The Kitchen

This is the most demanding room. Grease accumulates everywhere.

• Oven: inside, racks, glass (inside AND outside of the glass)
• Hob: complete degreasing, including edges
• Extractor hood: filters cleaned or replaced, surface degreased
• Fridge/freezer: emptied, defrosted, cleaned, SWITCHED OFF with door ajar
• Dishwasher: filter cleaned, seals checked, interior clean
• Sink and taps: complete descaling
• Worktops and splashback: degreased
• Cupboards: emptied, inside and outside cleaned
• Floor: including under furniture if accessible

Bathroom and WC

The enemy here is limescale. In Luxembourg, the water is hard, and it shows.

• WC: bowl (underneath too), seat, cistern, floor around
• Basin: bowl, taps, visible trap, mirror above
• Shower/bath: screens, taps, shower head, drain
• Joints: anti-mould cleaning if black marks
• Wall tiles: soap and limescale marks
• Ventilation: VMC grille often very clogged
• Floor: including behind WC and in corners

Bedrooms and Living Room

• Floors: thorough hoovering then washing adapted to surface
• Skirting boards: all around each room
• Windows: glass, frames, sills, handles
• Shutters/blinds: dusting or cleaning
• Radiators: top, bottom, behind, between elements
• Switches and sockets: finger marks
• Cupboards: emptied, cleaned inside and out
• Walls: marks erased, washing if necessary
• Holes: filled and paint touch-ups if large holes

Classic Oversights

Don't leave without checking:

• Cellar: emptied AND swept
• Garage/parking: cleaned
• Balcony/terrace: clean, no forgotten objects
• Letterbox: emptied, label removed
• Meters: readings noted for you and the landlord

Mistakes That Cost Dear

1. Waiting Until the Last Day

On D-day, you're exhausted from moving, stressed about key handover, in a rush to get to the new property. It's the worst time to clean.

Ideal: schedule cleaning 1 to 2 days before the check-out inspection, once the flat is empty but before key handover.

2. Neglecting the Check-In Inspection

This is where it's decided beforehand. If your check-in inspection was slapdash (or non-existent), you'll struggle to prove certain defects already existed. For your next property: photograph everything on move-in day.

3. Using Unsuitable Products

A few pitfalls to avoid:

• Abrasive products on stainless steel: guaranteed scratches
• Bleach on coloured joints: discolouration
• Too much water on parquet: swelling, marks
• Aggressive strippers on fragile surfaces: irreversible damage

4. Forgetting the Exteriors

Balcony full of dead leaves, cluttered cellar, dirty garage... It's the same lease, it counts in the check-out inspection.

Do It Yourself or Call in a Pro?

Doing It Yourself

Pros:

• Saving on service cost
• You control every detail

Cons:

• Considerable time: count 8 to 15 hours for a flat
• Fatigue: after a move, it's the last thing you want
• Risk of insufficient result: without experience, we miss things
• No guarantee in case of dispute with landlord

Going Through Fast Clean

What we bring:

• Quick intervention: a few hours, not days
• Professional equipment: appropriate products, specific tools
• Experience: we know the landlords' checkpoint
• Cleaning certificate: a document proving it's done
• Peace of mind: you focus on your move-in

When to Book?

Moves often pile up at the same times (end of month, summer...). To ensure you have a team available:

• Ideally: 2 weeks before your move
• At minimum: 1 week before
• Timing: after removal men leave, before check-out inspection

Our Advice: Before/After Photos

Whatever your choice (DIY or pro), take dated photos of the flat after cleaning. In case of dispute during check-out inspection, you'll have proof of the condition in which you returned the property.

With a smartphone, it's quick: each room, sensitive areas (oven, bathroom, windows), and job done. It can save you a lot of discussion.