Handover day is where deposits get lost. Landlords and agents in the UAE expect the property back empty and swept, and “empty” is stricter than most tenants assume. Here is the order we work in when we clear a property, and what to check before the inspection.
Start two weeks out, not two days
The most common mistake is leaving clearance until the day before handover. Removal slots, cleaning teams and lift bookings all compete for the same end-of-month window. Book your clearance for two or three days before handover so there is room to fix anything the inspection flags.
Room by room
Bedrooms
Beds, mattresses, wardrobes and bedside units. Check the top of built-in wardrobes, which is where suitcases and boxes get forgotten. Curtains and rails usually stay if they were there when you moved in.
Living and dining
Sofas, coffee tables, dining sets, rugs and TV units. Wall-mounted TV brackets normally come off and the holes get filled. Do not leave a bracket behind assuming the next tenant wants it.
Kitchen
Fridge, washing machine, oven, microwave and small appliances. Empty and defrost the fridge at least a day ahead, or it leaks in the truck. Clear every cupboard, including the one above the extractor.
Bathrooms
Toiletries, laundry baskets, shower caddies and bathroom cabinets. Check under the sink.
Balcony and storage
This is where the surprises live. Outdoor furniture, plant pots, old paint tins, bicycles, and the boxes that went into the storeroom on move-in day and never came out.
What we cannot take
Plan separately for chemicals, paint solvents, asbestos and medical waste. These need specialist disposal, and no general clearance company should agree to load them.
Before the inspection
- Every room empty and swept
- Wall fixings removed and holes filled
- Fridge defrosted and dry if it stays
- Keys, access cards and parking remotes gathered
- Disposal paperwork on hand if your building asks for it
Doing it in one visit
A full apartment or villa clearance is a single job for us, not several. One crew, one fixed price, and we sweep before we leave so the property is inspection-ready. See how the process works, or send photos for a price.