HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MOVE-OUT CLEANING IN BERLIN

Moving out of a German apartment comes with one extra step most other countries don't require: passing a landlord inspection (Wohnungsübergabe) that can decide whether you get your full deposit back. Here's how to prepare — whether you're doing it yourself or booking a professional move-out clean.

1. Know What German Landlords Actually Check

Berlin landlords typically inspect:

• Kitchen: inside oven, extractor hood/filter, inside fridge, cabinet interiors

• Bathroom: grout, tile edges, silicone seals, behind the toilet

• Windows: frames, sills, and — in older Altbau buildings — Kastenfenster (box windows), inside and out

• Walls: nail holes, scuffs, and marks (often expected to be touched up or filled)

• Floors: skirting boards, radiator backs, under appliances

• Start Early — Not the Night Before

A proper deep clean of a 2-room apartment realistically takes 4–6 hours for one person, longer for larger flats or Altbau buildings with more window panes. Book or start at least 2–3 days before handover so there's time to redo any missed spot.

3. Empty the Apartment First

Cleaners (professional or DIY) can't properly clean floors, skirting boards, or built-in cabinets around furniture and boxes. Fully move out before the final clean, not during.

4. Check Your Rental Contract for Specific Clauses

Some Berlin leases specify "besenrein" (broom-clean) as the minimum standard; others expect a full professional-grade clean. Read your contract or ask your landlord directly what standard is expected — this avoids disputes at handover.

5. Photograph Everything After Cleaning

Before handing over keys, take timestamped photos of every room, especially areas landlords commonly flag (oven, windows, grout). This protects your deposit if there's ever a dispute.

6. Consider a Re-Clean Guarantee

If you're hiring a cleaning company, ask whether they offer a free re-clean if the landlord isn't satisfied at inspection. This is standard with reputable Berlin move-out cleaners and removes most of the risk of losing part of your deposit over a cleaning issue.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does a move-out cleaning cost in Berlin?

Prices are typically flat-rate rather than hourly, and vary by apartment size and condition (Neubau vs. Altbau, number of windows). Ask for a fixed quote up front rather than an hourly estimate.

What's included in a standard move-out clean?

Deep clean of kitchen and bathroom, inside cabinets/oven/appliances, windows and frames, radiators and skirting boards, and floors/tiles/grout — the same areas landlords inspect.

Do I need a professional cleaner, or can I do it myself?

Either works — the key factor is matching the standard your landlord expects and leaving enough time to redo problem areas before handover.