This is the last post in the series about renting in Ireland, at least for some time.
As I started by moving in, it is right to finish by moving out of your rented home.
One of the most important things that can be quite costly for your deposit, is to leave the apartment as clean as possible. A few days before moving out it is time for a major cleaning. You probably won't be able to clean it in a single day, so plan accordingly.
Kitchen:
Clean you cooker thoroughly, degrease hobs and oven if necessary. Do the same with a microwave. The fridge should be fully defrosted and cleaned, so make sure you don't have food left.
Clean the drains with the special liquid and clean sinks. As in Ireland kitchen is usually the place where you will find a washing machine, be sure to check and clean filters if possible.
Clean all surfaces and dishes/cups/glasses and shelves in the kitchen. Check that there is no garbage or food left anywhere in the kitchen. Clean the floors as well.
Dining/Livingroom:
Clean tables and all surfaces (usually here are several tables), move sofas so you can clean under it.
Bedroom:
If possible move the bed and clean under it. Clean wardrobe and nightstands.
Bathroom and toilet:
If you have a shower, clean the cabin glass spotlessly. Clean tiles and floor as well. The same goes for the bathtub. The sink and toilet bowl should be clean as well. It's quite usual practice to put blue tabs in a water reservoir of the toilet and flush it so that water turns blue and stays in this state when you leave. This will probably be the last room to clean as you will probably use it on a day of moving out.
Other:
Vacuum thoroughly all carpets. It is not a bad idea to clean them with special liquids, even use odor-removing agents. Clean all other floors as well. I'm absolutely sure that the biggest problem to clean will be windows if you are not on the ground floor. Most of the windows in Ireland can be barely opened or you can access only part of the window, no matter what tools you are using. And with the rains and wind blowing dust every day, often no matter how thoroughly you clean it, windows will get dirty the next day as if you didn't clean it. So prepare to be frustrated with it.
Last day:
Finally, on the last day take photos of every single thing in the apartment, just in case a landlord wants to take your deposit for no justified reason, claming that you didn't clean something. Make the list of things you are leaving (like cups, bowls, cutlery, kitchen cloth, toilet paper, etc.)
Take any garbage that is left. Anything your landlord takes for garbage will be deducted from your deposit.
Turn all appliances and electricity switch.
Note final readings for electricity, gas or level of oil.
Be sure you have canceled or transferred your TV license and broadband to the new location. The same goes to any subscription.
Inform all institutions from Revenue to bank about changing addresses so that you don't get important mail to your old address.
Don't forget to return all the keys.
Before leaving, be sure that you have reported any possible damage before you moved out and that you have proof of it from the landlord or agent, to avoid any later misunderstandings.
