End of tenancy cleaning

How cleaning affects your deposit

At the start of most tenancies an inventory records the condition and cleanliness of the property, often with photos. At the end, a check-out inspection compares the property with that record. If it is less clean than when you moved in, the landlord can propose a deduction for cleaning. Normal fair wear and tear — carpets wearing with age, for example — is not something you should be charged for.

In England and Wales, most deposits for assured shorthold tenancies must be held in a government-backed protection scheme, and each scheme offers a free dispute service if you and your landlord cannot agree. See tenancy deposit protection on gov.uk for how it works. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the guidance for where you live.

The typical end-of-tenancy checklist

• Kitchen — inside and out of the oven, hob, extractor hood and filter, fridge and freezer (defrosted), microwave, dishwasher and washing machine drawer; inside every cupboard and drawer; tiles, sink and taps
• Bathrooms — limescale off taps, shower heads and screens; toilet including the base; bath, basin, tiles and grout; extractor fan cover; mirrors
• Every room — skirting boards, door frames and handles, light switches and sockets, window sills and frames, radiators, inside wardrobes
• Floors — vacuumed and mopped throughout, including under where furniture stood
• Glass — inside of windows; outside only if your tenancy says so and it can be reached safely

Carpets and the oven are the items agents mention most. If carpets are stained or your tenancy asks for a professional carpet clean, arrange one and keep the receipt. Ask your cleaner whether inside the oven is included in their price.

Do you have to use a professional cleaner?

In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means a landlord generally cannot require you to pay for a professional clean. What they can expect is that the property is returned as clean as it was at the start, allowing for fair wear and tear. You can do it yourself — but a professional clean of an empty home is usually faster and more thorough, and you have a booking record if questions come up later.

When to book it

1. 1Move all your belongings out first — the clean needs an empty property
2. 2Book the clean for your last day or the day before, after the removal van has gone
3. 3Leave time before the check-out inspection in case anything needs a second look
4. 4Book early in busy periods — the end and start of the month, and late summer when many tenancies turn over

How long it takes

An end-of-tenancy clean takes longer than a regular or even a deep clean of the same home, because everything is cleaned inside as well as out. The number of bathrooms, the state of the oven and how long since the last deep clean make the biggest difference. Larger properties are often done by more than one cleaner. For a rough guide, try the cleaning price calculator.

Booking an end-of-tenancy clean on Holler

Set the address of the property you are leaving to see the cleaners who cover it — Holler is opening area by area, so it depends where it is. Choose end-of-tenancy cleaning and pick a time. The price is shown up front and includes everything, and you pay in the app.

Moving day is busy, so the rest helps: you can track your cleaner on a live map, and message or call them through the app to arrange keys or access without sharing your number. Share your inventory or the agent’s checklist in the chat so they know exactly what is expected.

Questions people ask

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