What end of tenancy cleaning means
An end of tenancy clean is a thorough clean of a rented property when a tenant moves out. The aim is simple: hand the home back in the same state of cleanliness as when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. That standard is set by the check-in inventory, which records the condition of each room at the start of the tenancy. At checkout, the landlord or letting agent compares the property against that report, room by room.
It is more detailed than a normal weekly clean. It reaches the places everyday cleaning skips: inside empty cupboards and drawers, skirting boards, radiators, door frames, light switches, tiles and grout, and the inside of windows.
Is a professional clean required?
What your tenancy normally requires is that the property is returned as clean as it was at the start. Some agreements go further and ask for a professional clean, or professionally cleaned carpets, if the property was professionally cleaned before you moved in. Read the cleaning clause in your agreement and the check-in inventory before you decide. If the agreement says nothing specific, you can clean it yourself, as long as the result matches the check-in standard.
If the home is not clean enough, the landlord can claim the cost of cleaning from your deposit. If you disagree with a deduction, your deposit protection scheme can look at the evidence from both sides, which is why dated photos and receipts matter.
What a professional end of tenancy clean covers
Every room you book is cleaned to our end of tenancy checklist:
Kitchen
Empty cupboards and drawers are cleaned inside and out, removing stains, dirt and fingerprints. Worktops and surfaces are scrubbed and sanitised, the sink is washed to remove limescale, doors are wiped, lamp shades and light switches are dusted, and non-carpeted floors are vacuumed and mopped. Appliances are not part of the kitchen clean; the oven, extractor, fridge and washing machine are extras you add when booking.
Bathrooms and toilets
The toilet is cleaned and disinfected inside and out, the bath or shower and taps are washed, tiles and grout are cleaned and limescale removed, and mirrors, glass, the sink and any cabinets are cleaned inside and out. The fan is dusted where it can be reached, the door is wiped and the floor is hoovered and mopped. Mould cleaning is not included, and complete removal of mould is not guaranteed.
Bedrooms, living areas and hallways
All tops and surfaces are dusted, skirting boards, radiators, banisters, doors and door frames are wiped, light switches are cleaned of fingerprints, and floors are hoovered and mopped where needed.
Windows
All inside windows in the rooms you book are included: glass, inside frames and sills. Blinds are booked separately.
Extras worth considering
- Oven cleaning. The oven is one of the first things an agent opens. The cooker is taken apart, removable parts soaked, scrubbed and degreased, then put back together.
- Carpet cleaning. Carpets are cleaned per area with a hot water extraction machine. Not every mark or stain can be guaranteed to come out.
- Fridge, extractor and washing machine. Each can be added in the booking form.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning before moving out. Boxes and furniture hide dirt. Clean once the home is empty.
- Forgetting the inventory. Without it you are guessing at the standard the agent expects.
- Turning off the power and water. The clean needs electricity and hot water.
- Leaving no evidence. Take dated photos of each room after the clean and keep your invoice.
What landlords and agents check
- Grease on the hob, extractor and oven
- Inside cupboards, drawers and wardrobes
- Limescale on taps, shower screens and tiles
- Skirting boards, doors, switches and radiators
- Carpet marks and the state of the floors
Booking an end of tenancy clean
Choose the rooms and extras in the booking form and your price is shown before you confirm. Our end of tenancy cleaning is From £155.
Typical job £270 — based on 2,199 completed jobs in the last 12 months.
If your agent flags something on our checklist after the clean, tell us within 72 hours and we come back to re-clean it at no extra cost.
See our full end of tenancy checklist, or book a clean.