In Switzerland, moving out means more than packing boxes. The flat has to be handed back thoroughly cleaned, and a representative of the property management (Verwaltung) or the landlord will inspect it with you – often down to the oven, the window tracks and the limescale in the shower. Many expats are surprised by how detailed this handover is. So the big question is: should you do DIY end of tenancy cleaning or hire a company?
There is no single right answer. Here are five honest decision factors that help you weigh up both options for your own situation.
What end of tenancy cleaning means in Switzerland
Your lease and the handover protocol define what's expected. The Swiss tenants' association explains in its move-out cleaning leaflet that you must clean as agreed in the lease, and that without specific rules the flat and ancillary rooms such as cellar, attic, letterbox and garage must be cleaned thoroughly. Clauses that require you to hire a specialist cleaning company are generally not binding.
The homeowners' association HEV lists what landlords typically expect: windows inside and outside including frames, shutters and blinds, cooker, oven, fridge, grease in the extractor hood, limescale in bathroom and WC, and floors. At the handover, the landlord must check the flat and notify you of defects you're liable for promptly, as Art. 267a of the Code of Obligations sets out. Your lease remains decisive – if in doubt, ask your tenants' association.
1. Time: how many hours do you really have?
A thorough end of tenancy cleaning of a family flat usually takes much longer than a regular weekly clean – often one or more full days, depending on size and condition. And it falls in the same week as packing, moving, registering with the new commune and starting in a new home.
DIY is realistic if: your flat is small, you have a few free days between moving out and the handover, and you can clean an empty flat.
A company makes sense if: your move-out and move-in days overlap, you work full-time, or you have children to look after during the move.
2. Equipment and cleaning products
Professional results need more than a mop and a sponge.
| You'll need | Why |
|---|---|
| Squeegee, strip washer, stepladder | Windows, frames and blinds inside and out |
| Descaler, citric acid, soft pads | Limescale in shower, taps and WC |
| Oven cleaner, scraper, gloves | Baked-on grease in oven and on trays |
| Degreaser for the extractor hood filter | Sticky grease film |
| Vacuum cleaner with crevice tool | Tracks, radiators, skirting boards |
| Plenty of microfibre cloths | Streak-free surfaces |
If you don't own these, buying them for a one-off job adds up – and some, like a good squeegee, only help if you know how to use them.
3. Experience and the risk at the handover
This is the factor people underestimate most. Inspectors know where to look: the rubber seals of the fridge, the back of the oven, window tracks, the space behind the washing machine, the limescale under the tap aerator, the blinds (Storen).
If something is objected to, you usually have to re-clean before a new appointment – or accept a charge. With no time left and keys already due, that's stressful. If you've done a thorough clean before and know what inspectors look for, the risk is lower. If it's your first Swiss handover, it's higher.
4. The handover guarantee explained
Many cleaning companies in Switzerland offer a handover guarantee (Abnahmegarantie). At Priority Clean, our end-of-tenancy cleaning includes a 100 % handover guarantee:
- the team cleans according to the property management's checklist,
- we attend the handover inspection,
- if anything is objected to, we re-clean it free of charge.
When comparing offers, check whether the guarantee includes attendance at the handover, what happens if the appointment is moved and whether windows, blinds and ancillary rooms are included in the price. We give a fixed price after a few photos – so there are no surprises. Our guide on the handover guarantee goes into more detail.
5. Your budget and what's at stake
A professional service costs money; doing it yourself costs time and energy. Price depends on factors like the size of the flat, number of windows and blinds, the condition (limescale, grease, nicotine), ancillary rooms and the date.
Think about what's at stake: re-cleaning appointments, time off work, possible deductions and a delayed release of the rent deposit. For some households DIY is clearly the better deal; for others, a fixed-price offer with a guarantee is worth it. Read our guide on how to get your rent deposit back for the full picture.
A fair middle way
You don't have to choose all or nothing. Many tenants clean the rooms themselves and book professionals only for the time-consuming parts – windows and blinds, or kitchen and bathroom. Others empty and pre-clean the flat and leave the final clean to a company.
Common mistakes with DIY end of tenancy cleaning
- Starting too late: Cleaning the night before the handover rarely works.
- Forgetting ancillary rooms: Cellar, attic, letterbox and garage are part of the flat.
- Blinds and window frames: Often objected to at the inspection.
- Oven and extractor hood: Grease takes longer than expected.
- Mixing products for speed: Dangerous and damaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do end of tenancy cleaning myself in Switzerland?
Yes. You can generally clean the flat yourself, as long as it's thoroughly clean at the handover and meets what your lease requires. Clauses that oblige you to hire a specialist company are generally not binding – if unsure, ask your tenants' association.
What is checked at a Swiss apartment handover?
Typically windows including frames and blinds, kitchen appliances such as oven, fridge and extractor hood, limescale in bathroom and WC, floors, cupboards and ancillary rooms like the cellar. The exact scope depends on the property management's checklist.
What does a handover guarantee mean?
The cleaning company guarantees that the flat will pass the inspection. With Priority Clean, the team attends the handover and re-cleans anything that is objected to free of charge.
How long does end of tenancy cleaning take?
It depends on the size of the flat, its condition and the number of windows and blinds. Even a small flat often takes a full day if you do it yourself, and larger family homes take considerably longer.
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