End of tenancy cleaning cost: 5 price factors, explained with a 3.5-room flat

"How much does it cost to clean a 3.5-room flat when I move out?" It is one of the questions we are asked most often – and the honest answer is: it depends on more than the number of rooms. End of tenancy cleaning cost in Switzerland is driven by a handful of factors that you can assess yourself before asking for a quote. Instead of publishing figures that would not fit your flat, we use a typical 3.5-room flat to show what really moves the price.

If you are new to Switzerland, you will also learn why a move-out clean here is more demanding than in many other countries.

What end of tenancy cleaning means in Switzerland

At the end of a lease, you return the flat in the condition that results from normal use, as Art. 267 of the Code of Obligations sets out. In practice, property managers expect a thorough clean. The homeowners' association HEV lists what landlords typically expect, including windows inside and outside with frames, shutters and blinds, the oven, fridge, extractor hood grease and limescale in bathroom and WC.

The tenants' association adds that you are free to clean yourself; according to its move-out cleaning leaflet, a lease clause requiring a professional company is not binding. That makes the question of cost a real choice between your own time and a professional service.

Our example: a typical 3.5-room flat

In Switzerland, rooms are counted differently than in many other countries. A 3.5-room flat usually means a living room, two bedrooms and a "half room" – often an eat-in kitchen, a dining area or a small extra space. Bathrooms, hallways and the kitchen are generally not counted as full rooms.

For our example, imagine: living room, two bedrooms, kitchen with dining area, one bathroom, a separate WC, a balcony and a cellar compartment. Now let's look at what changes the effort – and therefore the price.

1. Rooms, layout and wet rooms

Two 3.5-room flats can differ considerably:

• A separate WC or a second bathroom adds a full wet-room clean with limescale removal.
• Built-in wardrobes must be cleaned inside and out, including rails.
• An open kitchen with a large island or many cupboards takes longer than a compact kitchen.
• A loft layout with high ceilings or galleries adds reach and time.

When you ask for a quote, mention the number of bathrooms and WCs and whether there are built-in wardrobes.

2. Condition of the flat

This factor is often decisive. After years of living, especially with children, pets or smoking, the effort can be much higher than for a flat rented for only one or two years.

• Limescale on shower glass and taps in regions with hard water.
• Burnt-on grease in the oven, on trays and in the extractor hood filters.
• Nicotine film on walls, window frames and blinds.
• Pet hair in carpets, on skirting boards and in radiators.

3. Windows, blinds and shutters

In Swiss flats, windows are rarely just glass. External venetian blinds (Lamellenstoren), roller shutters or folding shutters are standard, and they are checked at the handover.

A 3.5-room flat with floor-to-ceiling windows and blinds on every window takes considerably more time than one with a few standard windows. Our guide to cleaning blinds as a tenant explains what is expected.

4. Balcony, cellar, attic compartment and garage

Ancillary rooms are part of the handover and are sometimes forgotten when people compare quotes.

• Balcony or terrace: floor, railing, glass panels, drain.
• Cellar and attic compartment: empty, swept, cobwebs removed.
• Garage or parking space: swept, oil stains depending on the lease.
• Letterbox: emptied and wiped.

Make sure the quote states which of these are included, so there are no surprises on the day.

5. Date and timing

In many Swiss communes, the end of March and the end of September are common moving dates, and some places have additional local dates. Around these dates, cleaning teams are in high demand.

• Book as early as possible, ideally when you have handed in your notice.
• Short-notice bookings are often still possible but may limit your choice of date and time.
• Plan the cleaning after the removal and before the handover, not on the same morning as the removal van.

If the handover is only a few days away, read our guide on last minute move out cleaning.

What is included in a fair quote

A quote you can compare should clearly state:

Common mistakes when comparing prices

• Comparing different scopes: One quote includes windows and blinds, the other does not.
• Describing the condition too optimistically: Leads to additional work and discussions on the day.
• Forgetting ancillary rooms: The cellar and balcony are checked too.
• Choosing a quote without a guarantee: A failed handover can mean a second appointment you do not have time for.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.