End of Tenancy Cleaning Cost

15%

Materials
£15

85%

Tradesmen
£85

0%

Waste Removal
£0

What the Job Entails

Tenants are usually required to do an end of tenancy cleaning when they move out as part of the letting agreement.

The cleanliness (or lack thereof) of the property at the end of the tenancy is responsible more than half of the deposit disputes as if the property has not been cleaned to a decent standard the landlords will deduct the cost of hiring a cleaning company from the deposit.

Most tenants will opt to hire a professional cleaning service to handle their end of tenancy cleaning to ensure they get their deposit back, though some will try and clean the property themselves.

But there is usually a lot to do when moving house so finding the time for a thorough cleaning of the entire property can be difficult!

End of tenancy cleaning should include a deep clean of the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Plus all surfaces throughout the property: floors, tiles, carpets, walls, and windows. Dust and dirt will need to be removed and cobwebs cleared out of hard to reach places.

All the appliances which are included in the tenancy such as dishwashers, cookers and washing machines will also need to be cleaned out to a high standard.

If you decide you want to do the cleaning yourself in addition to all the other tasks associated with moving, then you should start with writing a checklist detailing everything that needs to cleaned and tick things off as you go. to ensure that all the cleaning is done thoroughly and properly.

Don't don't skip the minor details or cut corners as your landlord won't when inspecting the property! It is probably a good idea to contact your estate landlord to see if they have a standard checklist for the end of tenancy cleaning and ask them for a copy.

This thorough cleaning will include removing everything from the refrigerators, freezers and cupboards; cleaning the oven and all the cupboards and surfaces, dishwashers and microwaves; scrubbing all floors, bathroom and sinks; furniture and carpet cleaning; plus clearing out and tidying of any garages or outbuildings.

You can see why most people prefer to hire a professional cleaning team for the end of tenancy cleaning as it is a lot of work and it needs to be done thoroughly to avoid losing the deposit. Professional cleaning companies have all the necessary equipment, tools and cleaning materials for a very thorough and fast cleaning service.

If you have the time and are physically fit, you can do a good job of the cleaning yourself, but if you can afford it, just hire a team of professionals as this will save you all the hassle and the cleaning will likely be done more professionally!

FAQs

How long does end of tenancy cleaning usually take?

This will of course largely depend on the size of the property and how much work is required (in other words how dirty it is). But a 3 bedroom detached home would typically take 2 cleaners around a full day to complete.

The cleaning company will let you know in advance how long the job will take but you don't need to actually be there the full time, just as long as you can grant them access.

Is the carpet and/or upholstery cleaning included?

No - this may be required by the landlord but carpet and/or upholstery cleaning is not included in the standard prices quoted by cleaning companies so comes at an additional cost.

If your carpets and/or upholstery need to be cleaned, budget an additional £20-£30 per item and let the cleaning company know in advance that this will be required so that they have all the equipment necessary with them on the day.

Will I get my deposit back if I use a professional cleaning company?

Cleaning companies cannot guarantee your deposit back, but many will offer to return and re-clean if there are any issues with the cleaning free of charge.

So it is very unlikely you will lose your deposit due to an issue with the cleaning if you use a professional, but of course, cleaners cannot take care of any damage caused during the tenancy so they cannot offer an actual guarantee that you will get your full deposit back.

Do end of tenancy cleaning companies supply all the cleaning materials and equipment?

Yes - the prices quoted by cleaning companies include everything necessary for a professional cleaning, all you need to provide on the day is access, running hot water and electricity.

Is cleaning windows normally included in the end of tenancy quotes?

Internal window cleaning is usually included in end of tenancy service quotes. But if your windows need to be cleaned on the outside this will incur an additional fee.

In addition, the windows will need to be cleaned from the inside as most cleaning companies will not have the equipment required to safely access upper storey windows. So if your windows cannot be cleaned from the inside, you will need to hire a local window cleaner.

Does the freezer have to be defrosted before the cleaners arrive?

Yes - you need to defrost it so it can be cleaned properly. Defrosting usually takes around 6-8 hours so is best done the night before the cleaners arrive.

Is oven cleaning included in end of tenancy cleaning quotes?

Yes - the cleaning of standard single or double oven is typically included in the end of tenancy cleaning quotes.

Is lawn fertilizer safe for my dog?

You should carefully check the directions for use printed on the fertiliser bag, many modern, green products are not harmful to animals but with some, you will have to wait until the lawn has been treated and is thoroughly dry after the first rain or watering.