Overview
In 2026, the typical UK end of tenancy cleaning cost is £120–£180 for a studio or one-bedroom flat and £280–£450 for a three-bedroom home. Larger or heavily soiled properties can cost £500 or more.
The final quote depends on size, condition, bathrooms, appliances, carpets and location. This guide explains realistic price ranges, what letting agents inspect and how tenants can document the clean to protect their deposit.
End of tenancy cleaning prices by property size
Most professional cleaners quote a fixed price after asking about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property type, condition and required extras. These ranges are useful 2026 UK budgeting figures, not guaranteed prices.
| Property size | Typical price | Typical team time |
| Studio flat | £110–£160 | 3–5 labour hours |
| One-bedroom flat | £120–£180 | 4–6 labour hours |
| Two-bedroom flat or house | £180–£280 | 6–10 labour hours |
| Three-bedroom house | £280–£450 | 10–16 labour hours |
| Four-bedroom house | £380–£600 | 14–22 labour hours |
| Five-bedroom house | £500–£800+ | 18–30+ labour hours |
Labour hours are combined time: two cleaners working for five hours equals ten labour hours. London and some commuter areas may sit above these ranges, while accessible, empty properties in good condition often fall towards the lower end. Obtain a written, itemised price from an end of tenancy cleaning provider rather than relying on a headline “from” figure.
What changes the final cleaning price?
Bedroom count is only the starting point. A compact three-bedroom house may take less time than a two-bedroom flat with two bathrooms, a balcony and extensive limescale. Cleaners normally consider:
- Condition: grease, mould, pet hair, smoke residue and heavy limescale require extra products and labour.
- Bathrooms: an additional bathroom or en suite may add roughly £20–£50.
- Furnishings: furnished homes involve cleaning beneath, behind and inside more items.
- Access: restricted parking, high-rise access and no working lift can increase time or parking costs.
- Occupancy: cleaning is slower when belongings, tenants or removal workers remain inside.
- Location: local wages, travel and parking create regional differences.
- Timing: weekends, bank holidays and bookings made with little notice may cost more.
Describe the property honestly and send photographs of the oven, bathrooms, floors and any problem areas. If the agreed scope changes on arrival, a cleaner may need to revise the price or leave unfinished tasks outside the booking.
Common extras and what they cost
Never assume carpets, ovens or external windows are included. Ask for an itemised quote and compare the scope, not merely the total. Typical add-on prices include:
| Extra service | Typical UK price |
| Single oven interior | £45–£80 |
| Double oven or range cooker | £70–£140 |
| Carpet cleaning, one room | £25–£45 |
| Carpet cleaning, two-bedroom property | £80–£150 |
| Upholstery cleaning, three-seat sofa | £60–£110 |
| Fridge-freezer interior | £20–£40 |
| External accessible windows | £30–£80 |
| Balcony or conservatory | £30–£100 |
Professional carpet cleaning is commonly separate because it requires extraction equipment and drying time. Carpet stains are not always removable, particularly where fibres are bleached, worn or permanently dyed. Likewise, oven cleaning may be priced separately even when wiping the appliance exterior is included.
What letting agents and inventories check
Agents generally compare check-out condition with the signed check-in inventory, allowing for fair wear and tear. They are not entitled to automatic improvement at the tenant’s expense, but they may claim reasonable cleaning costs when an area is less clean than at the start.
Inspection commonly focuses on:
- Oven, hob, extractor filters, splashbacks and cupboard interiors
- Fridge seals, shelves, drawers and the space behind appliances where accessible
- Shower screens, taps, tiles, grout, plugholes and toilet bases
- Limescale around fittings and water marks on glass
- Skirting boards, sockets, switches, radiators and door frames
- Dust on blinds, curtain rails, light fittings and high surfaces
- Carpet edges, stains, pet hair and hard-floor corners
- Inside wardrobes, drawers and built-in storage
- Windows internally, frames, sills and tracks
- Bins, balconies, garages and gardens if included in the tenancy
Cleaning does not cover damage such as cracked tiles, iron burns, broken fittings or paint gouges. Report these separately rather than expecting cleaners to repair or disguise them.
Professional cleaning is not always compulsory
A tenancy agreement may require the property to be returned to the same standard of cleanliness recorded at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear. It should not force tenants to buy a particular company’s service simply because the agent prefers it. The practical question is whether the property meets the documented standard.
DIY cleaning can work for a small, well-maintained flat if you have enough time, suitable products and a reliable vacuum. A one-bedroom flat may still require a full day or weekend once cupboards, appliances, windows and bathroom descaling are included. A larger house can take several people one or two days.
Professional cleaning is most useful where the inventory records a professional or very high starting standard, the home has heavy limescale or grease, or keys must be returned immediately after moving. If ordinary domestic cleaning is insufficient but the property is not tied to a tenancy, a one-off deep clean may be the more suitable service.
How to avoid a deposit dispute
A receipt alone does not prove every part of the property was clean, and hiring a cleaner does not guarantee that an agent cannot raise an issue. Evidence and a clear scope are more useful than labels such as “agency approved”.
- Read the inventory early. Check the original wording and photographs at least a week before departure.
- Request the check-out standard. Ask the agent what must be cleaned and whether carpets or appliances need specialist treatment.
- Get a written scope. Ensure the quote lists rooms, appliances, windows, carpets and exclusions.
- Finish moving first. Book cleaning after furniture and boxes leave, but before keys are returned.
- Inspect immediately. Check the property while there is still time for agreed corrections.
- Take evidence. Photograph and video every room, including oven interiors, bathroom fittings and meter areas.
- Keep documents. Save the inventory, dated images, invoice, correspondence and check-out report.
- Respond in writing. If money is claimed, request photographs, invoices and a breakdown rather than accepting a vague deduction.
If agreement cannot be reached, use the relevant tenancy deposit protection scheme’s dispute process. Submit concise evidence showing the starting condition, ending condition and work completed.
A practical pre-clean checklist
Preparation keeps the team focused on cleaning and reduces the risk of additional charges or missed areas. Complete these tasks before the booked arrival:
- Remove possessions, food, rubbish and unwanted furniture from every room.
- Defrost the freezer 24–48 hours beforehand and place towels beneath it.
- Empty cupboards, wardrobes, drawers and bathroom cabinets.
- Arrange lawful disposal of bulky waste; cleaners may not be licensed to remove it.
- Confirm that electricity, hot water and working lights remain available.
- Secure pets elsewhere and provide keys or clear access instructions.
- Reserve parking where required and explain permits or loading restrictions.
- Tell the cleaner about delicate surfaces, existing damage and inaccessible windows.
- Check whether you must replace extractor filters, light bulbs or cooker-hood lamps.
- Keep cleaning and removal bookings separate enough to avoid both teams working together.
Removal work frequently creates dust and floor marks, so cleaning should normally be the last major task. Allow drying time after carpet extraction: commonly several hours, depending on ventilation, fibre type and weather.
How to compare quotes without false savings
A £170 quote can be worse value than a £240 quote if the cheaper service excludes the oven, carpets and internal windows. Ask each company to price the same written list and confirm whether VAT, equipment, products, parking and travel are included.
Useful questions include:
- Is the price fixed or based on time?
- How many cleaners will attend, and for approximately how long?
- Are oven racks, extractor filters and appliance interiors included?
- Does carpet treatment mean vacuuming or hot-water extraction?
- Are internal windows, frames and tracks included?
- What happens if the property differs from the description?
- Is there a correction or re-clean policy, and what are its deadlines?
- Does the company carry appropriate public liability insurance?
Be cautious of guarantees that promise the return of a deposit: cleaners cannot control rent arrears, damage claims or an agent’s decisions. A credible provider defines what it will clean and how quickly concerns must be reported. For an itemised local price, get a free quote using accurate property details and photographs.
Frequently asked questions
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