The final clean before you hand back the keys is the one most likely to be judged line by line. This end of tenancy cleaning checklist goes room by room, so you can work through it yourself or use it to check a professional clean before the inspection. For what our own end of tenancy clean covers, see the service page; this list is a guide to what inspectors tend to look at.
Start with your check-in inventory if you have one. The property is compared with how it was when you moved in, so photos and notes from day one show what standard you need to reach.
Kitchen
The kitchen usually takes the longest, because grease builds up slowly and is easy to stop seeing.
- Degrease the hob, the oven door and the extractor hood, and wash or replace the filter.
- The oven inside, with its racks and trays, and the inside of the fridge and freezer: in our end of tenancy clean they are extras, so ask for them when you book. If you do them yourself, empty and defrost the fridge and freezer and leave the doors ajar once they are switched off.
- Wipe cupboards and drawers inside and out, and the tops of wall units.
- Clean tiles, splashbacks, the sink, the taps and the plughole.
- Wipe the outside of every appliance, then sweep and mop the floor, including the edges.
Bathroom
Inspectors look closely at limescale, grout and seals, because these show how a bathroom has been kept.
- Descale taps, the shower head, the shower screen and tiles.
- Scrub the grout and the sealant around the bath, shower and basin.
- Clean and disinfect the toilet, including the base, the hinges and behind the pedestal.
- Polish mirrors and clean the bathroom cabinet inside and out.
- Wipe the extractor fan cover, then mop the floor.
Bedrooms and living areas
- Dust every surface, including shelves, picture rails and the tops of wardrobes.
- Wipe skirting boards, doors, door frames and handles.
- Clean light switches, sockets and radiators.
- Clean wardrobes and drawers inside once they are empty.
- Vacuum carpets, including under the beds and furniture that stays.
- Mop hard floors.
Windows and frames
- Clean the inside of windows, the frames and the sills.
- Wipe blinds or dust curtain poles.
- Check for condensation marks on sills and in corners.
The areas most often missed
The same few places are missed again and again: behind and under appliances, window sills and tracks, extractor fans, the tops of door frames, skirting boards and the inside of cupboards. Pull the cooker and fridge out if you can, and check these before you call the clean finished.
Extras to think about
A standard clean does not cover everything. Professional carpet cleaning is not included in the standard end of tenancy price and can be added; check your tenancy agreement, because some ask for it. The inside of the oven, the fridge and the cupboards are extras in our clean too, so ask for them when you book. If upholstery came with the property, look at the sofas and chairs too.
How the price is worked out
We charge an hourly rate, and the total depends on the size of the property, its condition and any extras. Our prices page shows the hourly rate and guide prices by number of bedrooms for an average property in average condition. They are a guide rather than a fixed quote, because two flats of the same size can need very different amounts of work.
Booking your clean
Book as soon as you know your moving date, and leave time between the clean and the inspection in case anything needs another look. We clean on any day of the week, with weekend appointments at no extra charge, and the quote is free. If something on the checklist is missed, tell us within 24 hours and we will come back to put it right. You can also ask us for the checklist after the clean.
Who pays for what, and how deposits are handled, are separate questions: see what landlords check at the end of a tenancy and our guide for landlords and letting agents.
To book your end of tenancy clean, call 01483 773531 or send us a message.