Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning in Dubai
A move-out clean in Dubai is done after the movers leave and before the check-out inspection, so the home matches the condition in your tenancy contract. A move-in clean is done before the furniture arrives. Both are deep cleans of kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards and floors; AC duct cleaning and pest control are usually booked separately.
By Movers Dubai editorial teamLast checked against Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (opens in a new tab)
Request a free quote
Tell us about your move and we pass your request to a moving company that serves your area.
Move-in and move-out cleaning compared
Move-out clean
- After the movers have gone and the home is empty
- Aimed at the landlord's check-out inspection and your deposit
- Pays attention to marks, limescale, the oven and inside cupboards
Move-in clean
- After you get the keys and before the furniture arrives
- Aimed at dust from handover, previous tenants or new fit-out
- Easiest while rooms and cupboards are still empty
What a move-in or move-out deep clean usually covers
- Kitchen: inside and outside cabinets, oven, hob, extractor hood, fridge and sink
- Bathrooms: limescale on taps, glass and tiles, grout, toilets and drains
- Inside wardrobes, drawers and built-in shelves
- Floors, skirting boards, doors and light switches
- Inside windows, frames and sliding-door tracks
- Balcony floor and railings
- AC vent grilles wiped on the outside
Jobs usually booked separately
- AC duct cleaning and AC servicing
- Pest control, which some tenancy contracts ask for at move-out
- Sofa, carpet and mattress shampooing
- Filling wall holes and touch-up painting; a handyman visit typically costs AED 150–600
- Outside windows on high floors, which the building's own contractor cleans
Timing the clean around keys, DEWA and Ejari
Cleaners need water and power, so set your DEWA move-out date for after the move-out clean, not on the moving day. DEWA emails the final bill within 24 working hours of the move-out date you choose and sets your deposit against it; the DEWA transfer guide explains the steps. Cancel Ejari once the tenancy has ended; DLD's cancellation service is free online.
For the new home, book the move-in clean for the day you get the keys or the day after, and the movers for the day after that. That gives one clear day between cleaning and furniture.
Getting your security deposit back
Before the clean, read the end-of-tenancy terms in your contract and the condition report from when you moved in. Afterwards, photograph every room, appliance and cupboard, and attend the check-out inspection if you can. If the landlord deducts for cleaning, you can compare the photos with the move-in report. The guide to tenant rights when moving covers deposit disputes, and the move-out checklist lists the rest of the handover.
What a cleaning quote depends on
- Size
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and whether there is a maid's room or terrace.
- Condition
- Heavy grease, limescale or construction dust takes longer.
- Add-ons
- Ovens, fridges, balconies and inside windows are sometimes extra.
- Empty or furnished
- Cleaning an empty home is faster and more thorough.
Move-in and move-out cleaning questions
What tenants ask about cleaning when they move in Dubai.
When should I book a move-out clean?
After the movers have emptied the home and before the check-out inspection. Keep DEWA connected until the clean is done.
Is AC cleaning part of a deep clean?
Usually only wiping the vent grilles. AC duct cleaning and servicing are separate jobs, often by an AC company.
Do I have to do pest control when I move out?
Some tenancy contracts require it. Check the end-of-tenancy terms in your contract and keep the receipt if you book it.
Can the landlord deduct cleaning costs from my deposit?
If the home is not returned in the condition the contract requires, the landlord may deduct costs. Photos after cleaning and the move-in condition report help if you disagree.
Sources for this page
Last checked: .
Official pages
Moving out or moving in?
Tell us about your move and the date you get or hand back the keys. We pass the request to a moving company that serves your area.