According to the terms of the lease, a tenant is committed to take good care of the apartment and its common areas throughout the period of residence. The terms of the lease can be read here. In a shared apartment all tenants are together responsible for tidiness of the common areas. Tenants are charged for the cleaning costs if for example during LOAS maintenance visit the apartment is found out to be untidy or the final cleaning has not been done when the resident moves out. The basic cleanliness of the apartment should be maintained throughout the period of residence. You can see the checklist for moving out here. This makes the final cleaning quicker and easier. Here are scheduling tips on how to maintain the general level of cleanliness.
Weekly
- Vacuum the floors and if necessary, wipe the floors with a damp mop. Also vacuum the bathroom/sauna and toilet
- Clean the toilet bowl (also all the surfaces of the bowl). Wipe all the surfaces: faucet, sink, walls, floors etc.
- Wipe the dust from all over the apartment, use a damp cleaning cloth if necessary
- Clean the kitchen surfaces: cupboard doors and handles, work tops and home appliances
- Clean the stove every time after cooking. Clean also the control panel knobs
Once in a month
- More efficient cleaning of the bathroom: walls, floor, shower, faucet, sink, shower curtain
- Wash the trash bins in the kitchen. Lift the bins out of the trolley and wipe the surfaces inside the cupboards. Wipe the trolley
- Clean the door handles and doors. Wipe the walls if there are stubborn stains
Every two or three months
- Clean the fridge and throw any old food away. Remember to clean the drain hole and wipe the door seals and the door
- Clean the metal cooker hood filter in the dishwasher or with a dish brush
- Clean the floor drain in the bathroom
- Clean the oven, oven sheets and oven rack. Remember to vacuum and mop the floor behind the oven (pull the oven out of its place). Clean the outside of the oven on the sides and back. Also wash any spills on the cabinets and wall.
A few times in a year
- Wash the windows. Wash all four surfaces of the windows and the space between the windows. In winter, you can leave the outside of the window unwashed.
- Clean the inside of cabinets, drawers, shelves etc.
- Defrost the freezer, clean the boxes and clean the inside of the freezer. Remember to wipe the door seals and the freezer door. See the instructions here
- Clean the ventilation valve with a vacuum and damp cleaning cloth
- Clean the balcony. The balcony is not intended for storing waste or unnecessary goods
- In apartments with sauna, the sauna should be cleaned 1-3 times a year. Do not store any stuff in the sauna due to the high risk of fire. Keep clothes and towels away from the sauna heater.
Checklist for moving out