End of Tenancy Cleaning: A Guide

Moving out of a house or flat can take a huge amount of planning, with so many arrangements to make that it can seem impossible to cover everything before the big day. However, one thing that should naturally be at the forefront of your mind is getting your full tenancy deposit back from your landlord.

Difficult tenants, sadly, rarely get refunded in full. According to the law, a landlord can expect tenants to return their property to the state it was at when they first moved in. If not, the landlord can make suitable deductions to the tenancy deposit in order to bring it up to standard. You could face deductions for the condition of the furniture, evidence of pests, or even simply failing to keep the property clean.

For this reason, many cleaning companies will offer ‘end of tenancy cleaning’ services. Cleaners will cover a set number of jobs in order to ensure that everything listed in your inventory report is brought up to standard, leaving your landlord with little to complain about.

However, careful tenants can also handle cleaning on their own, provided they have the time to do so. Keep in mind that your landlord will be thorough in checking through your property, so you will need to be just as thorough in cleaning it out. This should include giving yourself at least half a day to get the cleaning done, and enough money to hire or rent the necessary cleaning supplies.

If you have the time and are ready to put in some elbow grease, here is a checklist to help you get through your end of tenancy cleaning!

What do I need to clean a house?

If you want to make sure that you can get the most out of your chosen cleaning day, it will be important to purchase or rent all of the necessary equipment in advance. You will usually need:

• Rags, rubber gloves, scouring pads and sponges
• Surface cleaners for kitchens and bathrooms
• Floor cleaning solution suitable for your flooring (tiles, wood, laminate etc.) This is also important for carpets and rugs, as certain cleaners may stain them. You may even need to hire a carpet cleaner, though you can usually do so cheaply at your local supermarket
• Vacuum cleaner (make sure you are extra thorough when hoovering stairs and corners)
• Window cleaner (this can also be used on mirrors and tables)
• Bin bags. You will likely find a good deal of rubbish lying around when you clean your property. The more you can throw out, the less time you will need to spend on packing
• Polish for steel or wood

Cleaning house checklist

Ceilings - This may sound like an odd place to start, but ceilings can collect a lot of dust as well as cobwebs over time. Plus, any dust that falls from your ceiling could spoil your recently cleaned floor. Use either an extendable broom or stepladder to clean your ceilings safely

Windows - These will need to be clean inside and out! For the outside of windows on upper floors, you may need to hire professional window cleaner

Carpets - It can take a surprising amount of effort to scrub off caked on stains when it comes to carpets. You can save time by hiring a carpet cleaner, which you should be able to find at your local supermarket

Doors - Start with the handles, then scrub off any marks on the doors themselves. If the doors are stiff or squeaking, treat the hinges with WD40

Walls - Look for scuff marks, especially lower down. If they cannot be removed, you may need to consider painting over them

Fixtures and fittings - Remember to dust and polish any light fixtures in your home, including any lamps belonging to your landlord. The same goes for your upholstery

Tiles - Scrub your tiles diligently, removing any grout as you go. It will be a good idea to keep a window open while doing so, as using tile cleaners in an enclosed space can be dangerous for anyone with breathing difficulties

Wooden floors - Be sure to hoover any wooden floors in your house before mopping them with an appropriate cleaning solution. Keep in mind that you cannot mop laminate flooring, or it will warp. Instead, look for laminate floor wipes from your local supermarket

Curtains - While this is not always necessary, it will still be worth making sure for the sake of your deposit. Start by checking the cleaning label, as most curtains are dry-cleaning only

End of tenancy bathroom cleaning

Cleaning a bathroom can be a tough job at the best of times, but when finishing up a tenancy it is important to be extra thorough. Be sure to ventilate your bathroom by opening a window or turning on the extractor fan, as many heavy-duty bathroom cleaners can be dangerous when inhaled in small spaces.

When cleaning your bathroom, be sure to tackle:

• The toilet
• The bathtub
• The sink
• The shower (including the shower head and grouting)
• Any floor or wall tiles (be sure to remove grout)
• Any surfaces
• Any mirrors

End of tenancy kitchen cleaning

There can be a surprising amount of ground to cover when cleaning a kitchen, especially when you are preparing it for new tenants. The job will be more than a matter of wiping down the worktops: you will also need to clear out and clean your cupboards, as well as your fridge/ freezer.

Remember, failing to clean a kitchen will do more than simply put tenants off; it can also attract dangerous pests, such as mice, rats or insects.

When cleaning your kitchen, be sure to cover:

• The kitchen sink (use a non-scratch scourer for stainless steel)
• Any worktops
• The hob
• The inside of the oven
• All of the cupboards (empty them and wipe them down)
• Any fridges and freezers (defrost and empty)
• The flooring

If you find any sign of pests, your best option may be to hire a professional pest remover. Cleaning the area will dissuade the pests from coming back, especially if you remover their source of food, but larger nests may well require professional help to completely clear out.

Hiring an end of tenancy cleaner

If you do not have the time or equipment to clean your property on your own, your best option will usually be to hire a professional local cleaner. Luckily, there should be no shortage of candidates, especially if you live in a high rental area.

Professional cleaners will usually have everything required to clean your home from top to bottom; however, in order to make sure of this it will be important to give them a full rundown of what to expect, including whether you have carpets or upholstery. You will also need to let them know the size of your home, including the number of bathrooms and kitchens.

Be sure to book your cleaner in plenty of time in order to secure a slot. Ideally, you will want to book them as close to your moving day as possible, as this will leave your home with little time to get dusty or dirty again before the landlord’s inspection.

In order to get a good price for your cleaner, you will usually want to compare at least five quotes. It will also be a good idea to check customer reviews for each of your candidates, as you will want to make sure that your final choice is reliable.

Finally, be sure to keep a record of hiring the cleaner, just in case you need to settle a dispute with your landlord.