End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Switzerland
Costs, Handover Guarantee & Tips – Guide 2026
Professional move-out cleaning for a stress-free flat handover.
The rental deposit in Switzerland runs up to 3 months' rent. For an average city apartment that quickly means CHF 3'000 to CHF 6'000 at stake. The most common reason for deposit deductions is poor cleaning at handover. A professional end-of-tenancy cleaning with a handover guarantee reliably protects your deposit and saves you time, stress and often money too.
1. What Is End-of-Tenancy Cleaning in Switzerland?
End-of-tenancy cleaning – also called moving-out cleaning or final cleaning – is the thorough cleaning of an apartment right before it is handed back to the landlord or property management. It goes well beyond what a regular household clean covers.
«Broom-clean» (often not enough)
Under Swiss tenancy law, «broom-clean» means clean, cleared of belongings and roughly tidied. In practice this is rarely sufficient. Landlords today expect a condition that matches a professional clean.
Professionally cleaned (recommended)
Streak-free windows, a degreased kitchen, lime-free taps and spotless floors. This is the standard property managers expect at the handover inspection.
Legal basis (OR Art. 267): Dirt, grease deposits and limescale count as excessive wear and must be remedied at the tenant's expense. Normal wear (worn carpets, small nail holes) is covered by the rent.
2. End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Costs: Price Table 2026
The cost of an end-of-tenancy clean depends mainly on the apartment size, its condition and the scope of services you choose.
End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Price Table 2026 (Switzerland, incl. VAT)
| Apartment size | Without guarantee | With handover guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 rooms | CHF 280 – 420 | CHF 350 – 500 |
| 2.5 rooms | CHF 400 – 580 | CHF 480 – 680 |
| 3.5 rooms | CHF 520 – 720 | CHF 600 – 820 |
| 4.5 rooms | CHF 700 – 980 | CHF 800 – 1'100 |
| 5.5 rooms | CHF 950 – 1'350 | CHF 1'050 – 1'500 |
Prices include cleaning materials and travel. Window area, floors and condition affect the final price.
Per square metre
Many companies calculate internally at CHF 2.50–4.50 per m². Kitchens and bathrooms are often charged separately.
Regional differences
In Zurich, Geneva and Zug prices run 15–25 % above the Swiss average. Rural regions are cheaper.
Fixed price recommended
For end-of-tenancy cleans a fixed price is preferable: you know in advance what you pay, with no risk of an extra invoice.
3. What Is a Handover Guarantee – and Why Is It Worth It?
The handover guarantee is the most important quality marker of a professional end-of-tenancy clean in Switzerland. With a handover guarantee the cleaning company commits to rectifying any complaints from the landlord free of charge and without discussion until the apartment is accepted. The company carries the risk, not you.
What happens on handover day?
The cleaning team attends the apartment handover with the landlord or property management
Any defects are discussed directly on site
The team fixes identified cleaning defects immediately or agrees a rectification date
The apartment is accepted and the handover report is signed
✓ Guarantee covers
- ✓ Floors (all surfaces)
- ✓ Windows inside & outside
- ✓ Kitchen incl. oven
- ✓ Bathroom & WC
- ✓ Ancillary rooms
✗ Guarantee does not cover
- ✗ Normal wear and tear
- ✗ Structural defects
- ✗ Damage before move-in
- ✗ Damage to belongings
The deposit maths: CHF 50–100 more, but CHF 500+ saved
A handover guarantee costs on average CHF 50–100 extra compared to a basic clean, but it protects a rental deposit of CHF 2'000 to CHF 6'000. The cost-benefit case is clear.
4. Checklist: What Belongs in a Professional End-of-Tenancy Clean?
A professional end-of-tenancy clean covers far more than mopping the floors. Below is the full checklist of the areas inspected at an apartment handover in Switzerland.
Living spaces & floors
- ☐Parquet, laminate or tiles: mop and polish
- ☐Carpets: vacuum, treat stains
- ☐Walls: dust, remove dirt marks
- ☐Radiators: dust inside and outside
- ☐Sockets and light switches: remove fingerprints
- ☐Doors and frames: remove dirt and marks
- ☐Blinds, shutters and curtain rails: clean
Windows (inside & outside)
- ☐Panes: streak-free clean inside and outside
- ☐Window frames and sills: wipe clean
- ☐Grooves and tracks: dust and clean
Kitchen
- ☐Oven inside and outside: remove grease deposits completely
- ☐Extractor hood filters: clean or replace
- ☐Fridge: clean inside, clean seals
- ☐Hotplates, hob: degrease and polish
- ☐Cabinets inside and outside: remove crumbs and grease
- ☐Sink and taps: descale, clean and polish
Bathroom & WC
- ☐WC and bidet: descale, disinfect, clean inside and outside
- ☐Shower and bathtub: remove limescale and soap residue completely
- ☐Taps: descale and polish
- ☐Mirrors: streak-free clean
- ☐Tile grout: clean and treat if needed
- ☐Extractor fan: dust
Ancillary rooms
- ☐Cellar, attic, garage box: sweep, dust, clean
- ☐Balcony or terrace: sweep, mop floor, clean railings
- ☐Laundry room / dryer: clean inside and outside
Commonly forgotten areas (most frequent complaint points):
- !Inner edges of window frame grooves
- !Underside of fitted kitchen units
- !Socket cover plates
- !Ventilation grilles in bathroom and WC
- !Hinges and fittings on doors and cabinets
5. Cleaning Yourself vs. a Cleaning Company: What Really Pays Off?
DIY cleaning
- ✓ No direct costs
- ✗ 2–3 full days of work
- ✗ No professional equipment
- ✗ No handover guarantee
- ✗ Risk: deposit deduction CHF 200–1'500
Professional cleaning company
- ✓ 4–5 hours (3-room apartment)
- ✓ Professional equipment & products
- ✓ Written handover guarantee
- ✓ Deposit fully secured
- ✗ Cost CHF 350–1'500
Tip: DIY cleaning only pays off when the apartment is in very good condition. At minimum the oven, extractor hood and windows should always be cleaned by professionals, as these are the most frequent complaint points at the handover.
6. Choosing the Right Cleaning Company: 5 Criteria
Demand a written handover guarantee
Insist on a written handover guarantee in the quote or contract. Verbal assurances do not count. The guarantee must clearly state how many rectifications are included and within what deadline the company returns.
Fixed price instead of hourly rate
Ask for a binding flat-rate quote based on an apartment survey or a questionnaire (number of rooms, m², condition, number of windows). This gives you cost certainty and gives the company an incentive to work efficiently.
Check liability insurance
Damage can happen during cleaning – a scratched parquet floor, a broken window. A reputable cleaning company carries business liability insurance. Ask about it actively.
Reviews on neutral platforms
Read reviews on Google or local.ch. Look for patterns: are punctuality, cleanliness and willingness to rectify regularly praised?
Warning signs of dubious providers
Be cautious of: a price well below the market average, no written handover guarantee, cash payment only, no company details or address, no survey before the quote.
7. End-of-Tenancy Cleaning + Move from a Single Provider
More and more providers in Switzerland combine moving and end-of-tenancy cleaning in a single package, and it pays off for both sides.
💰
10–20 % cheaper
Combined packages cost less than two separate jobs, with a single point of contact for the entire moving process.
⏱️
Smooth handover
The cleaning team takes over the apartment as soon as the last item has been moved out, with no vacancy days.
🛡️
Handover guarantee included
Professional end-of-tenancy cleaning with a handover guarantee – your rental deposit is fully protected.
Find a Cleaning Company by Region
Offerio connects you with vetted cleaning companies offering a handover guarantee across Switzerland. Choose your region: End-of-tenancy cleaning Zurich, End-of-tenancy cleaning Bern, End-of-tenancy cleaning Lucerne, End-of-tenancy cleaning Basel, End-of-tenancy cleaning Zug, End-of-tenancy cleaning Aargau, End-of-tenancy cleaning St. Gallen.
Conclusion: Secure Your Deposit with a Professional Clean
Costs of CHF 350 to CHF 1'500 are out of all proportion to a possible deposit deduction of CHF 800–2'000 for inadequate DIY cleaning. A fixed price and a written handover guarantee are essential, not optional. Oven, extractor hood and windows are the most frequent complaint points. Combined packages with a move save 10–20 %. And comparing at least 3 quotes always pays off.
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Compare cleaning quotes and save
Up to 5 quotes from cleaning companies with a handover guarantee. Compare prices and book the best company for your flat handover.
Request your free quote now →Prices with handover guarantee
- 1.5 roomsCHF 350 – 500
- 2.5 roomsCHF 480 – 680
- 3.5 roomsCHF 600 – 820
- 4.5 roomsCHF 800 – 1'100
- 5.5 roomsCHF 1'050 – 1'500
Incl. cleaning materials & travel
FAQ: Common Questions About End-of-Tenancy Cleaning in Switzerland
All prices are without guarantee. Costs may vary by region, apartment condition and provider. As of 2026.
In 2026, end-of-tenancy cleaning with a handover guarantee costs between CHF 350 and CHF 1'500 depending on apartment size. A 3-room apartment is typically CHF 600–820. The handover guarantee adds CHF 50–100 over a basic clean but protects a rental deposit of several thousand francs.
Swiss tenancy law (OR Art. 267) requires tenants to return the property in proper condition, normal wear excepted. A professional end-of-tenancy clean is not explicitly required by law but is the safest way to avoid deposit deductions. Dirt, limescale and grease count as excessive wear and must be removed at the tenant's expense.
The handover guarantee obliges the cleaning company to rectify identified cleaning defects free of charge until the landlord accepts the apartment. It typically covers floors, windows, kitchen, bathroom and ancillary rooms. It does not cover normal wear, structural defects or damage that existed before move-in.
A professional end-of-tenancy clean takes 3–8 hours depending on apartment size. A two-person team typically needs 4–5 hours for a 3-room apartment in good condition. DIY cleaning often takes 2–3 full days and rarely delivers a handover-safe result.
Get at least 3 written quotes – price differences for identical services can run to several hundred francs. With Offerio you make this comparison with a single request, without hours of research yourself.
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