Stellenbosch student move-out: an end-of-year cleaning guide for tenants and landlords

Every year, a large share of Stellenbosch's rental stock changes hands in the same few weeks. Leases end, students go home, landlords inspect and prepare for the next intake. The result: cleaners, movers and inspection slots all get booked out.

For tenants

• Book the clean before you book the inspection. You want the clean done the day before.
• Clear everything first. Cleaners work fastest in an empty home. Leftover furniture and boxes slow everything down.
• Defrost the fridge the night before.
• Take your own photos after the clean. Date-stamped photos are your record.

For landlords

• Book multiple units together. One team working through a block or several houses is faster and easier to schedule.
• Separate cleaning from repairs. Get the clean done first, then you can see clearly what actually needs fixing.
• Plan the gap. If a new tenant moves in early January, the clean needs to be done in December.

What a student-house clean usually needs

• Kitchens that have done a year of heavy use: ovens, extractor filters, cupboard interiors
• Bathrooms with limescale and grout build-up
• Walls with marks, prestik and tape residue
• Carpets that may need extraction cleaning

Timing

Late October to mid-January is peak. If you know your end date, book now rather than in the final week.

See our Stellenbosch move-out cleaning page or get a quote.