Moving out as an expat: reinstatement, cleaning and the final inspection

Your deposit is decided by two moments: the day you moved in and the day you hand back the keys. This guide covers the second one.

It's the end of what we do for an expat client, so we know where it goes wrong: short notice, a lease that wants more than you expected, and a flight booked before the inspection is done. Here's the order we'd do it in.

Two months out

Give notice properly. Check your lease for the notice period and serve it in writing. If you're renewing or leaving early, different rules apply.

Read the reinstatement clause. It sets out the condition the property must be returned in. Some leases require professional cleaning, aircon servicing or a chemical wash, or repainting. Knowing now gives you time to arrange it.

Find your move-in record. Your handover inspection report and photos are your best protection. Keep them ready.

Book movers. Good movers get booked out, especially at month end.

If you have less than two months, because a posting ended or a work pass changed, do the notice and the reinstatement clause first. Those two decide how much time you actually have.

One month out

Arrange aircon servicing. Many leases require servicing, sometimes a chemical wash, just before handover. Keep the receipt.

Fix what's yours to fix. Minor repairs under your lease's threshold are usually your responsibility. Fixing them yourself is almost always cheaper than having the landlord deduct for them.

Remove anything you installed. Hooks, shelves, curtains or fittings you added usually need to come out, and the marks may need patching, unless the landlord agrees in writing to keep them.

What we do. Doors has its own cleaning and painting companies, so the reinstatement work can be arranged through us rather than found and coordinated by you.

The last two weeks

Deep clean. A professional end of tenancy clean is worth considering, and some leases require it. Pay attention to kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and behind appliances.

Close your accounts. Arrange a final meter reading for utilities and end or transfer your electricity and internet contracts. Return any rented equipment.

Redirect your post. Do it before you leave, so nothing important lands at an empty flat.

The final inspection

Ask for a joint inspection with the landlord or their agent. Walk through with your move-in record in hand.

Anything that was documented at move-in shouldn't be charged to you. Fair wear and tear, like faded paint or light scuffs from normal living, isn't yours to pay for either.

Raise any disagreement on the spot. Problems discussed in the room are much easier to settle than ones raised by email a week later.

What we do. We do the move-out inspection with you, against your move-in record, so you're not standing in the room alone.

Handing back the keys

Return all keys, access cards and remotes, and get written confirmation that you've done so, with the date.

Getting the deposit back

The timing is set by your lease. If there are deductions, ask for an itemised list with evidence and costs. Check each item against your move-in record, and accept genuine ones rather than fighting everything.

If you can't agree, mediation is usually the next step, and residential deposit disputes can generally go to the Small Claims Tribunals.

The short version

Give proper notice, read the reinstatement clause early, service the aircon, fix small things yourself, clean properly, and do the final inspection together with your move-in record.

If you'd rather not run the last month alone, this is the part we're there for. See how it works on the Doors page, from the search through to the move-out inspection.

Doors by The Yellow Door helps expats find and settle into homes in Singapore, from the search through to the move-out inspection. This article is general information and not legal advice. Rules and rates change, so check the current position with the relevant authority before you act.