Move-out cleaning, flyttstädning in Swedish, earns a 50 percent RUT deduction on the labour like other household services. It is usually priced per square metre, with 2026 estimates around 35 to 60 SEK per sqm before the deduction, so roughly half that after RUT. Here is the standard it has to meet, what the inspection checks, and how to avoid being charged twice.
Why this matters more in Sweden
If you rent in Sweden, the flat is inspected when you leave. The cleaning is held to a defined standard, and if it fails, the landlord can have it re-cleaned professionally and bill you. For newcomers this is often an unwelcome surprise: "clean enough" by everyday standards is not the same as godkänd flyttstädning (approved move-out cleaning).
Does move-out cleaning qualify for RUT?
Yes. It counts as a cleaning service and earns a 50 percent deduction on the labour cost, up to the annual ceiling per person (Skatteverket). The company applies it directly on the invoice, so you pay half the labour.
It applies even if you rent, unlike the ROT deduction which requires you to own the home. If two adults live in the household, you can split the invoice and use both allowances.
What is not covered: cleaning materials billed separately, and removal of anything you left behind, since transport to recycling is not a household service.
What does it cost?
Move-out cleaning is nearly always priced per square metre, unlike moving help which is priced per hour. 2026 estimates:
| Home | Approx. before RUT | After RUT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 room, ~35 sqm | 1,400–2,100 SEK | 700–1,050 SEK |
| 2 rooms, ~55 sqm | 2,000–3,300 SEK | 1,000–1,650 SEK |
| 3 rooms, ~75 sqm | 2,700–4,500 SEK | 1,350–2,250 SEK |
These are estimates, not quotes. Price is affected by the condition of the home, whether there is a balcony, basement storage or a glazed terrace, and whether window cleaning is included. Window cleaning is often an add-on, so ask explicitly.
The room-by-room standard
Kitchen
Appliances cleaned inside and out, and pulled out so the floor and wall behind them can be reached. Oven, trays and racks, extractor hood and filter, fridge and freezer defrosted, cupboards and drawers wiped inside, worktops, tile grout and the sink.
Bathroom
Tiles and grout, floor drain lifted and cleared, toilet cleaned behind and underneath, basin and taps descaled, mirror, cabinets inside, and the ceiling vent. Washing machine and dryer cleaned including the lint filter and detergent drawer.
Other rooms
Floors, skirting boards and door frames, radiators, wardrobes and shelves inside, windows inside and out if included, window frames, light switches and sockets, and doors and handles.
Storage and balcony
Basement or attic storage swept and emptied, balcony swept and railing wiped. Check what is included, as this is the most common source of an extra charge.
Preparing for the inspection
At move-out you normally walk through the home with the landlord or agent. Note wear and damage in the report and keep a copy. That report determines whether you are held liable.
Photograph the whole home after cleaning, with a timestamp. That is your evidence of the condition you left it in.
At move-in do the opposite: compare the actual condition with the inspection record and photograph every defect immediately, so you are not blamed for faults that were already there (informationsverige.se).
If the cleaning is rejected
If the clean fails inspection you may have to re-clean or pay for a professional job. Two things are worth checking before you book:
- Whether the company offers a re-clean guarantee, meaning they return and fix it at no extra cost if the inspection flags something
- How long that guarantee runs, often a few days after move-out
- That the company has approved F-skatt, otherwise the RUT deduction is lost
Book the cleaning for the day after the truck leaves, never the same day. Furniture still in place means surfaces cannot be cleaned, and that is precisely what inspectors flag.
Who pays for damage?
Normal wear is the landlord's cost. Damage beyond normal wear, such as holes from shelves, burn marks or scratched flooring, can be charged to you. What counts as normal wear is judged partly on how long you lived there. Documentation from both move-in and move-out is your best protection.
Two ways to lose the deduction
Paying cash. Since 2020, ROT and RUT require electronic payment: card, Swish, BankID or a bank transfer. Cash means the deduction is lost entirely, however properly the work was done.
Hiring a relative. The person doing the work must not be related to you. That covers a spouse, cohabiting partner, parents, children, siblings and their families. More in the RUT deduction.
Common questions
Does move-out cleaning qualify for the RUT deduction?
Yes, a 50 percent deduction on the labour, up to the annual ceiling per person (Skatteverket).
What does move-out cleaning cost in Stockholm?
Roughly 35 to 60 SEK per square metre before the deduction as a 2026 estimate, so about half after RUT. Window cleaning is often extra.
What counts as approved move-out cleaning?
A thorough clean of the whole home, including appliances, extractor and oven, to the standard expected at inspection.
What happens if the cleaning is not approved?
You may have to re-clean or pay for a professional clean (informationsverige.se). Reputable companies offer a re-clean guarantee.
When should I book the cleaning?
The day after the truck leaves, never the same day.
Who pays for damage in the apartment?
Normal wear is the landlord's; damage beyond it can be yours.
Related guides: the RUT deduction, deep cleaning and choosing a moving company. Back to moving in Stockholm.