End of tenancy cleaning in Luxembourg: what are the tenant's obligations?

In Luxembourg, tenants must return their home clean and in good condition of use at the check-out inspection (état des lieux de sortie). Insufficient end of tenancy cleaning in Luxembourg can lead to a deduction from the rental deposit (garantie locative), which the landlord must justify within one month of the keys being returned. Normal wear and tear is the landlord's responsibility, but dirt or a lack of routine maintenance falls to the tenant.

Are you about to leave your home in Luxembourg? End of tenancy cleaning is often the most dreaded step, and the one least planned for. Yet it is what decides whether you get your rental deposit back in full or face deductions that can be substantial.

Between what the law requires, what the landlord is entitled to demand and what normal wear and tear legitimately covers, tenants often lack clear guidance. This article guides you step by step so you can approach your check-out inspection with peace of mind and recover your deposit without any nasty surprises.

What Luxembourg law says about end of tenancy cleaning

The law of 21 September 2006 on residential leases, amended by the law of 23 July 2024 which came into force on 1 August 2024, sets out precisely the tenant's obligations at the end of the contract. It lays down a fundamental principle: the tenant returns the home in the condition in which it was received, allowing for the normal wear and tear resulting from reasonable occupation.

In practical terms, this means the flat or house must be returned to a level of cleanliness comparable to that recorded in the check-in inspection report. If that document describes a clean home, the outgoing tenant must hand it back in an equivalent condition.

Since the 2024 reform, the rental deposit can no longer exceed 2 months' rent (compared with 3 previously), and any deduction must be justified by the landlord within one month of the keys being returned. If a deduction is late and unjustified, the landlord is liable to pay compensation of 10% of the monthly rent for each month of delay.

End of tenancy cleaning: what the landlord actually checks

During the check-out inspection, certain areas are systematically scrutinised. Here are the points that landlords and agencies check first in Luxembourg:

The kitchen

The kitchen accounts for most cleaning-related disputes. The landlord inspects:

• The oven: burnt-on grease, residue on the walls and the base
• The extractor hood: clogged filters, grease deposits on the mechanism
• The fridge and freezer: clean inside, no odours
• The hob: limescale, burn marks
• Worktop seals and cupboard fronts

An uncleaned oven or a greasy extractor hood is not normal wear and tear: these are maintenance failings the landlord can charge for.

The bathroom and toilets

• Limescale on taps, the shower and the bath
• Mould on tile grout
• Marks in the toilet bowl, deposits on the washbasin

Here again, heavy limescale and active mould are considered a lack of maintenance, not normal wear and tear.

Floors, windows and surfaces

• Floors: deep cleaning according to the floor covering (tiles, parquet, carpet)
• Windows and frames accessible from the inside
• Skirting boards and light switches

Outbuildings and extra spaces

If your lease includes a cellar, a garage, a balcony or a terrace, these spaces are also part of the check-out inspection. Before a professional comes in, make sure you empty them completely. If you have bulky items to get rid of, our guide to bulky item removal in Luxembourg sets out the most suitable solutions for your situation.

Normal wear and tear vs lack of maintenance: where is the line?

This is the most common point of friction between tenants and landlords. Here is how to tell the two situations apart:

The basic rule: if the deterioration results from normal, reasonable use of the home, the landlord cannot charge for it. If, however, it results from a lack of regular maintenance, the deduction is legitimate and justifiable.

How can you avoid a deduction from your rental deposit?

Here are the practical steps to follow to handle your end of tenancy cleaning in Luxembourg in the best possible conditions:

1. Reread your check-in inspection report

Compare the initial condition of the home with its current condition. This document is the reference in the event of a dispute. Identify the points that need particular attention.

2. Schedule the cleaning several days before the inspection

Do not leave your end of tenancy cleaning until the last minute. Allow at least two days for a medium-sized flat, and more for a house.

3. Tackle the technical areas first

Oven, extractor hood, grout, limescale: these are the items most often flagged during the inspection. Use suitable products and take the time needed.

4. Photograph the home after cleaning

Keep dated photos of the home once it has been cleaned. If there is a disagreement at the check-out inspection, this evidence works in your favour.

5. Empty and clean all extra spaces

Cellar, parking space, balcony, storeroom: clean and empty every space mentioned in your lease. If you are planning to empty an entire house before handing it back, our article on how to empty a house before a property sale will give you practical pointers. The process is very similar to returning a rented home.

Should you hire a cleaning company in Luxembourg?

For a home occupied for several years, a thorough end of tenancy clean often goes beyond what an individual can do alone, in terms of time, equipment and results.

Hiring a cleaning company in Luxembourg has several practical advantages:

• A professional result that meets the expectations of landlords and agencies
• A considerable time saving during an already busy period (moving, administrative formalities)
• A certificate of service that serves as proof if anything is disputed at the inspection
• Hard-to-reach areas and heavily soiled appliances are taken care of

To go further and understand the range of services available in the Grand Duchy, our article on cleaning services in Luxembourg details the different types of service available and how to choose them according to your needs.

In some cases, particularly if the home has undergone renovation work before you leave, post-construction cleaning will be needed in addition to a standard end of tenancy clean. The two services follow distinct protocols that our team has mastered.

At Keeweemove, we offer a cleaning service designed specifically for the end of tenancies and for moves. Our team covers the whole home: kitchen, bathrooms, floors and extra spaces, using suitable products and following a rigorous protocol, so you can concentrate on settling calmly into your new home.

Request a free quote

Cleaning and moving: a combination not to be overlooked

End of tenancy cleaning rarely sits alone in your schedule. It almost always comes at the very moment you are managing your move, your boxes, the furniture to be transported and the administrative formalities linked to your change of address.

That is precisely why combining cleaning and moving in a single service saves you time, reduces the number of contractors and ensures smooth coordination between the two stages. Once the furniture is out, our team can take care of the complete cleaning of the empty home — the ideal set-up for a trouble-free inspection.

If you need somewhere to store your belongings temporarily during the transition between two homes, our move with temporary storage service offers a flexible and secure solution in Luxembourg.

And if you are thinking of handing over your entire departure project: packing, transport, cleaning and clearance, our turnkey moving package brings all these services together under a single coordinator.

What you risk if the cleaning is insufficient

If the landlord considers the home insufficiently clean at the check-out inspection, they can:

1. Withhold all or part of the rental deposit to pay for additional cleaning, provided they justify it with an invoice or a quote within one month of the keys being returned
2. Charge the difference if the cost of cleaning exceeds the amount of the deposit
3. In the event of disagreement, the parties can refer the matter to the rent commission (commission des loyers) or the competent justice of the peace (juge de paix) in Luxembourg

Please note: since the 2024 reform, the landlord can no longer act at their own discretion. Any deduction must be documented, costed and notified within the legal deadlines. Without supporting evidence, the deduction can be challenged.

End of tenancy cleaning in Luxembourg: the essentials in 5 points

1. The tenant returns the home in a state of cleanliness comparable to its condition on arrival, in accordance with Luxembourg's residential lease law (amended in August 2024).
2. The areas systematically checked are: oven, extractor hood, bathrooms, grout, floors, windows and extra spaces.
3. Normal wear and tear (aged paint, lightly scratched parquet) is the landlord's responsibility. Lack of maintenance (limescale, grease, mould) is the tenant's responsibility.
4. Any deduction from the rental deposit must be justified by the landlord within one month of the keys being returned.
5. Hiring a cleaning company in Luxembourg gives you a result that meets expectations and provides proof in the event of a dispute.