Why Do You Need to Clean the apartment When Moving Out, Even After Paying a Cleaning Fee?
Why Do You Need
to Clean When Moving Out, Even After Paying a Cleaning Fee?
1. A Common
Misunderstanding
When renting an
apartment in Japan, most tenants will see a fee in their contract:
Cleaning
Fee (クリーニング費用)
This is usually charged
when moving out, typically around ¥30,000–¥50,000 for a 1R/1K apartment.
So it’s natural to
think:
“If I’ve already paid a cleaning fee, do I still need to clean before
moving out?”
In reality:
Yes — basic cleaning is still required in most cases.
2. What Is the
Cleaning Fee Actually For?
This is the key point.
The cleaning
fee is used for:
- Hiring professional cleaning services
- Deep cleaning (e.g. mold removal in bathrooms, floor waxing,
internal kitchen cleaning)
- Restoring the room for the next tenant
In other words:
It
covers restoring the property to a rentable condition
It does NOT cover cleaning up your daily living mess
3. Why Are Tenants
Still Expected to Clean?
You can think of it as
two different levels of cleaning:
(1) Basic Cleaning — Tenant’s Responsibility
Before moving out,
tenants are expected to:
- Remove all trash
- Do light cleaning (vacuuming, wiping surfaces)
- Clean basic kitchen grease
- Rinse and clean the bathroom
- If furnished: ensure appliances are not left dirty inside
In short:
Return the room
in a “normally used and tidy” condition
(2) Professional
Cleaning — Covered by the Fee
Handled by the
management company:
- Deep cleaning
- Removing stubborn dirt and stains
- Full restoration of the unit
So
essentially:
You handle the
basic cleanup, while the cleaning fee covers professional cleaning + restoring
a “like-new” feel.
4. What Happens If You
Don’t Clean?
This is more common
than people think:
- Additional cleaning charges may be applied
- More of your deposit may be deducted
- In serious cases, it may be considered improper use
Especially if:
- Trash is left behind
- Appliances (fridge, washing machine) are dirty inside
- Heavy grease or dirt buildup is present
These are
usually not covered by the cleaning fee and will be charged
separately.
5. What Are You NOT
Responsible For?
The following
are generally considered normal wear and tear:
- Wallpaper aging or discoloration
- Minor floor wear
- Aging of appliances due to time
However, be
careful with:
- Smoking indoors
(Nicotine can penetrate wallpaper and may require full replacement) - Pet damage
- Heavy or unusual stains
These are
usually charged separately and not included in the cleaning fee.
6. Summary
Simply put:
Paying a
cleaning fee does NOT mean you can leave without cleaning
It covers professional deep cleaning + restoring a refreshed,
like-new condition — not basic cleanup
Before moving out, it’s
best to:
- Do some basic cleaning
- Remove all trash
- Leave the room in a reasonable condition
This helps
you avoid extra charges and ensures a smooth move-out process.
If you are planning to move to Tokyo and need professional rental assistance, our company specialises in helping international clients secure apartments in Japan. We provide support in English, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese.
Mitsumaru Real Estate Agency
三丸商事株式会社
Contact us: mitsumaru.shoji@gmail.com
