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The complete end of tenancy cleaning checklist

Everything a UK tenant needs to clean — room by room — to pass the check-out inventory and protect your deposit. Use it yourself, or let our team handle it with a guarantee.

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An end of tenancy cleaning checklist is the single best tool for getting your full deposit back. Letting agents and inventory clerks compare the property against your check-in report, so the goal is simple: return every room to the condition it was in when you moved in. Work through the checklist below room by room.

Kitchen checklist

The kitchen is where most deposit deductions happen — grease and limescale are the usual culprits.

  • Clean inside, outside and behind the oven; degrease racks and glass
  • Clean the hob, extractor fan and filter
  • Defrost and clean the fridge and freezer, inside and out
  • Descale the kettle; clean the microwave, toaster and small appliances
  • Wipe inside and outside all cupboards and drawers
  • Descale the sink and taps; clean tiles and splashbacks
  • Clean and degrease worktops; mop the floor

Bathroom checklist

  • Descale and sanitise the toilet, bath, shower and basin
  • Remove limescale from taps, shower screens and tiles
  • Scrub grout and reseal gaps where needed
  • Polish mirrors and chrome; clear extractor vents
  • Wipe cabinets inside and out; mop the floor

Living areas & bedrooms

  • Dust and wipe all surfaces, shelves and skirting boards
  • Clean light switches, sockets, doors and handles
  • Vacuum carpets thoroughly; mop hard floors
  • Clean inside windows, sills and frames
  • Wipe radiators, picture rails and light fittings
  • Empty and wipe inside wardrobes and storage

Carpets stained or flattened? Professional carpet cleaning with hot water extraction is often specified in tenancy agreements and is the fastest way to restore them.

Whole-property tasks

  • Remove all cobwebs from ceilings and corners
  • Clean internal glass and mirrors throughout
  • Take out all rubbish and remove any belongings
  • Wipe down doors, frames and the front door

How to protect your deposit

  1. Find your check-in inventory report and clean to match it.
  2. Take time-stamped photos of every room once cleaned.
  3. Keep a receipt if you use a professional cleaner — it's strong evidence in a dispute.
  4. Report any pre-existing damage in writing before check-out.

Short on time? Our end of tenancy cleaning service follows this exact checklist and includes a free re-clean within 72 hours if your agent raises a cleaning issue. Get an instant quote →

FAQs

End of tenancy cleaning — common questions

What should be cleaned at the end of a tenancy?
At the end of a tenancy you should clean the entire property to its move-in condition: the kitchen (including inside the oven, hob, extractor, fridge and cupboards), all bathrooms (descaled and sanitised), every floor (vacuumed and mopped), inside windows, skirting boards, doors, switches, and all internal surfaces dusted. Limescale, grease and marks should be removed throughout.
Do tenants have to pay for professional cleaning?
Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords in England cannot force tenants to pay for professional cleaning as a blanket tenancy condition. However, tenants are still required to return the property as clean as it was at move-in. If it isn't, the landlord can make a fair deduction from the deposit, so many tenants choose professional cleaning to meet the standard.
How clean does a rental need to be when you move out?
The legal standard is to return the property in the same state of cleanliness as when the tenancy began, allowing for fair wear and tear. The check-in inventory report is the benchmark a check-out clerk compares against.
Is end of tenancy cleaning worth it?
For most tenants, yes. Professional end of tenancy cleaning typically costs far less than the deposit at risk, removes cleaning as a reason for deductions, and provides a receipt you can use in any deposit dispute.

Let us handle the checklist for you

Skip the stress and the ladder. Book a guaranteed end of tenancy clean and hand back the keys with confidence.

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