We’ll be the first to admit that carrying out a move is a mammoth effort, even before you throw in worries about deposit deductions. You can do everything right with the move itself, but if you don’t deep clean to a high standard, that can be a lot of money lost.

But moves run on a tight schedule, and cleaning is one of the last jobs left when energy is low and stress is high. A bit of planning will go a long way if you want to reduce the risks of deposit deductions and hand the keys back with confidence.

Let’s walk through what landlords and letting agents actually expect, where people most often get caught out, and how to leave the property in the same condition it was handed to you (fair wear and tear aside).

What is an end of tenancy clean, and why does it matter?

An end of tenancy clean is all about meeting the standard set out in your tenancy agreement and matching the original inventory as closely as possible. Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into effect, this has been enforced, so you don’t need to clean something if it’s not clean on the inventory.  If you don’t have one, contact your landlord or letting agent to request it ASAP. It’s the only proof of the state of the property when you moved in, and landlords and agents compare the property to it at check-out.

Overall, they expect the property to be clean and ready for the next tenant, allowing for normal wear and tear. Scuffed paint from furniture moving is one thing, but grease in the oven is quite another.

Why are landlords and letting agents so strict?

Most rental properties turn around quickly. There is often only a short gap between tenants, and delays can hold everything up. That’s why everything is held to such a high standard, and why cleaning issues are one of the most common causes of deposit disputes (which are usually handled through a deposit protection scheme).

Before you start…

Cleaning the property always takes longer than expected, especially when you are also packing and moving. Take that into account when you’re scheduling it in. 

Make sure you’ve got all the cleaning supplies you need to hand, to avoid unnecessary trips to the shops. The essentials are:

• Cloths
• Gloves
• A scraper
• A duster
• A dustpan and brush and/or sweeper
• A vacuum
• A mop
• Bin bags
• Sprays: mould, grease, limescale, wall, glass, wood, general-purpose

Start high and work down. Dust high-up areas like curtain rails, then work on surfaces, then floors. That way, you don’t end up mopping the floor only to find it dirty again.

What does an end of tenancy clean look like, room by room?

Kitchens and Bathrooms

These two get the closest look because they are generally the rooms that require the most work. Agents will open cupboards and drawers, check the oven, hob and extractor for grease, and look for limescale and mould around taps, plugholes, grout and sealant, and shower heads.

Make sure you tackle all of these hidden areas. It’s worth checking the washing machine drawer and seal too, because residue and mould can build up even if the rest of the kitchen looks spotless.

Living Rooms and Bedrooms

Living rooms and bedrooms are more straightforward. Give skirting boards a wipe, run a cloth over light switches and sockets, wipe down and clear out any furniture that’s part of the house, and clean the interior of the windows.

High Traffic Areas

High traffic areas like hallways and stairs show marks quickly, especially on corners and bannisters, so spot clean those. And make sure you don’t forget doors, including door frames and handles.

If your tenancy agreement mentions having clean carpets, plan that in, and note that many cleaning companies don’t include professional carpet cleaning.

This is a good starting point, but if you want a full breakdown, a free downloadable tenancy cleaning checklist will be coming soon to our resources. You can keep on your phone or stick on the fridge to refer back to as you work.

What are the most common end of tenancy cleaning mistakes?

Without a doubt, the biggest mistake people make is not allocating enough time. If it’s just you doing the job, expect anything from a few hours for a small flat to a few days for a big house.

 Take into account the pace you normally do chores at, and don’t expect miracles out of yourself; that’ll only lead to more stress when time is tight. And never leave it until the day of the handover; give yourself plenty of insurance time for hiccups or things you forgot.

When it comes to specific bits that are missed, the oven and extractor fan are commonly done to a subpar standard, and bathroom limescale and grout is often left behind. Also make sure you don’t forget the insides of cupboards, drawers and seals of white goods, behind things like radiators and toilets, and anywhere else that you can’t normally see. Out of sight is not out of mind as far as your inspector is concerned, but if you do all of this, you’ve done a better job than most!

Beyond that, it’s the little things that give away a half-hearted clean. Sticky skirting boards and doors, fingerprints on switches and sockets, crumbs in drawers, and odours all add up quickly, but are easy to fix.

Should you clean yourself or hire a professional end of tenancy clean?

If you are in a small flat, you’ve kept on top of things throughout the tenancy, and you have a day either side of moving, DIY won’t be a problem. Where people start to struggle is when times are tight and the space is larger. If you’re juggling work, kids, packing, and a same-day key handover, professional cleaning can be a huge weight off your shoulders. 

A professional end of tenancy cleaning service is built around the inventory standard, so it focuses on what letting agents actually check and what your documents show the condition should be.

A lot of people don’t realise this, but there’s plenty of companies, us included, that can deliver cleaning, moving, and even packing as an all-in-one service, helping cut down on admin and eliminating any worries of delays or overlaps. 

At Bristol Van Removals, we know that everyone has their own requirements and time constraints, so we take great pride in delivering a bespoke, considerate service. If you want true peace of mind that your move is in good hands, give us a ring at 01179025985, or email us at [email protected], and we’ll provide a fair, no-obligation quote. 

How to protect your deposit after the clean

Even if you leave your home spick and span, there is always the chance something is disputed, and if it is, you’ll be glad to have done a bit of admin. As you finish each room, take clear photos of everything as proof of how you left it. If you use professional cleaning services, keep the receipt of that. 

If you’ve completed your clean, but you’re not sure if it’s good enough, get in touch with the letting agent. Some of them are more than happy to have a look and flag any issues they see, giving you a chance to fix them.

Remember; tenants and landlords are on the same page. They would much rather receive the home in optimal condition than skim off your deposit.

A confident send-off

Plan ahead, work methodically, and give yourself more time than you think you need, and you’ll avoid a world of stress.

If you’ve got your hands full with the rest of the move, or want to save yourself some time, get in touch. With 18 years’ experience under our belts, we’ve truly seen it all. We can talk through your move and clean, and put together a simple quote that fits around your schedule. And if you’d like an all-in-one service, we can put that together for you too, so you needn’t lift a finger.