Regular home cleaning, deep cleans, short-let turnovers and after-builders work — in English or Português.
Our tenancy cleaning checklist Portugal guide gives you the exact steps to leave a rental property in the condition your landlord expects. Start with a full walkthrough of every room, then work through the tasks below. If you would rather hand the job to a professional, we arrange a local cleaner who covers your area and invoices you directly.
The kitchen is where inspectors look hardest. Clean the oven inside and out, including the glass door and racks, and degrease the extractor fan and filters. Wipe down all cabinet fronts, handles and shelves, and empty the cupboards so they can be wiped inside.
Descale the kettle and clean the microwave thoroughly, including the turntable. Scrub the sink and taps, and wipe the tiles and splashback. Finally, mop the floor and leave the bin empty and clean.
Bathrooms are another common source of deposit deductions. Remove limescale from the shower head, taps and glass screen, and clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind the seat. Wash the tiles and grout, and check for mould in the corners and around the silicone.
Polish mirrors and chrome fittings, and wipe down the towel rail and any storage units. Leave the room dry and aired, and empty the bathroom bin.
In bedrooms and living areas, dust all surfaces from top to bottom, including skirting boards, window sills, door frames and light switches. Wipe down wardrobes inside and out, and vacuum under the bed and behind furniture.
Clean the windows inside, and remove any marks from the walls without damaging the paint. Vacuum or mop the floors depending on the surface, and leave the rooms neutral and empty of personal items.
The hallway and stairs are the first thing an inspector sees, so give them the same attention as the main rooms. Dust and wipe the front door, the door frame and any storage cupboards, and clean the light fittings and switches.
Vacuum the stairs and landing, and mop hard floors. Pay special attention to the corners and the bottom of the front door, where dirt tends to collect.
Before the inspection, do a final walkthrough with your checklist. Check that all light bulbs work, that the smoke detector is intact, and that the mailbox and intercom are clean. Look for any marks on walls that you might have missed, and touch them up if allowed.
Take photos of every room after cleaning, as evidence of the condition you left the property in. Keep the keys and any documents ready, and confirm the date and time of the inspection with the landlord or agency.
Most landlords and agencies in Portugal follow a standard checklist that covers kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas and hallways. The exact items can vary, so ask for the inventory and condition report from the start of your tenancy and use it as your guide.
A full clean of a typical one-bedroom flat takes around four to six hours if you do it yourself, depending on the condition. A two-bedroom property can take longer, especially if the oven and bathrooms need deep cleaning.
Usually the outside of the windows is not part of a standard tenancy clean, unless your contract says otherwise. Focus on the inside glass, frames and sills, and check your tenancy agreement for any specific requirements.
If you miss an item, the landlord can deduct the cost of cleaning from your deposit. That is why it helps to work through a checklist room by room, and to take photos as evidence of the final condition.
Yes. Many tenants in Lisbon and the surrounding areas choose to hire a professional cleaner to guarantee the standard. We arrange a local cleaner who covers your area, and you agree the price directly with them before the work starts.
The cost depends on the size of the property and its condition. As a rough guide, a standard clean starts around EUR 8 per hour, and a full deep clean of a one-bedroom flat often comes to about EUR 450. For an exact price, request a free quote.
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