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The Complete End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist

Q: Do I have to use a professional cleaning company?

Not always. Since the 2019 Tenant Fees Act, a landlord in England cannot force you to pay for professional cleaning as a blanket condition. But the property must still be returned to the inventory standard, so many tenants choose professionals to be sure.

Q: What is the most common reason for losing part of a deposit?

Cleaning, and within that the oven and kitchen appliances, followed by bathroom limescale. These are the areas inventory clerks check most closely.

Getting your full deposit back comes down to one thing: handing the property back as clean as the inventory report expects. This is the same room-by-room checklist our professional cleaners work from across London — tick off each task as you go, or to take with you.

Or Let Us Do It — From £115

Why This Checklist Matters

Cleaning is the single most common cause of deposit disputes in the UK. At check-out, an inventory clerk compares the property against its condition at move-in — and cleaning issues, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, are the easiest deductions for a landlord to justify.

This checklist covers every area a clerk will inspect. It's useful for tenants preparing to move out, and for landlords getting a property ready for the next tenancy. Work top to bottom in each room — dust and cobwebs first, floors last — so you're never re-dirtying areas you've already cleaned.

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Kitchen

The kitchen is where most deposits are lost. Agents check inside every appliance, not just surfaces.

Clean oven inside and out — remove racks and trays, degrease, remove burnt-on carbon Clean hob, gas rings and control knobs Degrease extractor fan and filter Clean microwave inside and out Clean fridge/freezer inside, out and behind — defrost if required Clean washing machine drum, seal, filter and detergent drawer Clean dishwasher, filter and seal Wipe and polish all worktops and splashbacks Clean inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers Descale sink and taps, polish to a shine Remove limescale and grease from wall tiles and grout Sanitise and empty bins Clean internal windows, sills and frames Wipe down radiators if accessible Wipe skirting boards, doors, handles and light switches Vacuum and mop the floor

Bathrooms & En-suites

Limescale and mould are the giveaways clerks look for. Everything should be descaled and streak-free.

Descale and clean basin, taps and fittings Scrub and disinfect toilet, including behind and base Descale shower head, screen and controls Clean and rinse bath, remove any mildew Scrub grout and spot-treat mould Clean and polish tiles Polish mirrors and glass streak-free Wipe radiator and towel rail Clean extractor fan Clear and clean drains and plugholes Wipe cabinets and shelves inside and out Wipe skirting, door and light switch Vacuum and mop the floor

Bedrooms

Wardrobes and drawers are checked inside — empty and wipe every one.

Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners Dust wardrobes, shelving and cupboards inside and out Wipe dust from tops of doors and picture frames Vacuum and dust curtains and blinds, wipe curtain rails Polish mirrors and wall hangings Wipe skirting boards and dust light fittings Clean light switches and power sockets Remove marks from walls where possible Vacuum mattresses and under beds Wipe down radiators and dust vents Clean internal windows and sills Vacuum carpets or mop hard floors

Living & Dining Areas

Move furniture to clean underneath — clerks do check.

Remove cobwebs and dust ceilings and corners Dust and polish all surfaces, tables and shelves Wipe wooden units and remove fingerprints Vacuum sofa, under cushions and beneath furniture Dust TV units, electronics and skirting boards Clean light switches, sockets and fittings Polish mirrors, pictures and glass Clean internal windows, sills and frames Wipe down radiators and dust vents Spot-clean upholstery and remove any stains Vacuum carpets or mop hard floors, including edges

Hallways & Stairs

Dust and wipe banisters and handrails Clean light switches and sockets Wipe skirting boards and door frames Clean front and internal doors, including handles Remove marks from walls where possible Dust light fittings, shades and smoke alarms Clean any mirrors, shelves or console tables Vacuum carpets or mop floors, including stair edges

Windows & Glass

Internal glass is expected; external is a bonus but not always required.

Clean internal glass, removing marks and fingerprints Wipe down to prevent streaks Dust and clean windowsills and ledges Wipe frames and handles Dust blinds, curtains and shades

Appliances (Detailed)

Check your tenancy agreement for which appliances you're responsible for. Left-behind grime here is a classic deduction, so we've broken each appliance down.

Oven, hob & grill

Degrease the oven interior, walls and roof Remove and clean racks, trays and grill pan Clean the oven door glass, inside and out Clean the hob, gas rings and control knobs Degrease the extractor hood and clean or replace the filter Wipe all buttons, dials and the exterior

Fridge & freezer

Remove all food and defrost the freezer Clean and wipe the rubber door seal Wash and rinse shelves, drawers and salad trays Clean underneath and behind the unit Wipe and polish the exterior and handles

Washing machine

Clean the drum and remove any residue Wipe the rubber seal and remove trapped debris Remove and clean the detergent drawer Inspect and clean the filter Wipe the exterior and handles

Dishwasher

Remove food deposits from the base and spray arms Clean the filter and rinse thoroughly Wipe the rubber seal and detergent dispenser Wipe the exterior and controls

Microwave, tumble dryer & small appliances

Clean the microwave inside and out, wipe buttons and seal Tumble dryer: clean the lint filter, drum and seal Toaster: empty crumb tray, wipe and polish Kettle: descale and polish the exterior Wipe down any other small appliances left in the property

Final Checks Before Handover

All rubbish removed and outside bins rinsed All personal belongings and food removed Every cupboard, drawer and shelf emptied and wiped Garden, balcony or outside space tidied (if applicable) Light bulbs all working and replaced if needed Keys, fobs and parking permits ready to return Meter readings taken and photographed Windows and doors closed and locked Compare the property against your check-in inventory Property photographed clean for your own records

Pro Tips: What Inventory Clerks Check First

The oven

It's the number-one deduction. Clerks open it, pull out the racks and check the glass. A wiped-over oven won't pass — it needs proper degreasing.

Limescale

Taps, shower screens and tiles in hard-water areas are checked closely. Scale left behind reads as "not cleaned" even if everything else is spotless.

Behind & underneath

Behind the fridge, under the beds, inside cupboards. Clerks look where tenants forget — hidden dust is easy to photograph and deduct for.

Compare to check-in

You're judged against the inventory taken at move-in, not against perfection. Photograph everything so you can dispute any unfair deduction.

Don't Fancy Doing It Yourself?

Our professional cleaners work to this exact checklist every day across London — with oven cleaning included and a 72-hour re-clean guarantee. Fixed prices from £115, and if your agent flags anything, we come back free.

Call 07444 052 824 See Our End of Tenancy Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for end of tenancy cleaning?

In most tenancies the tenant is responsible for returning the property as clean as it was at the start, allowing for fair wear and tear. Your tenancy agreement and the check-in inventory set the standard you’re measured against.

Do I have to use a professional cleaning company?

Not always — since the 2019 Tenant Fees Act, a landlord in England can’t force you to pay for professional cleaning as a blanket condition. But the property must still be returned to the inventory standard, so many tenants choose professionals to be sure.

How long does end of tenancy cleaning take?

Doing it yourself, a thorough clean of a one-bedroom flat can take most of a day; larger homes take longer. A professional team of two to three usually completes a flat in a few hours.

What's the most common reason for losing part of a deposit?

Cleaning — and within that, the oven and kitchen appliances, followed by bathroom limescale. These are the areas inventory clerks check most closely.

When should I do the cleaning?

Ideally once the property is empty of furniture and belongings, as close to your check-out inventory as possible, so nothing gets re-dirtied before the clerk inspects.

What if I don't have professional equipment?

You can hire a carpet cleaning machine and use standard products for most tasks. The oven and heavy limescale are the hardest to tackle without commercial-grade products — which is where a professional service saves time.