Is End of Tenancy Cleaning Worth It? 5 Benefits
Moving out is expensive enough, so it is fair to ask whether paying for a professional end of tenancy clean makes sense. The short answer for most tenants is yes, because cleaning is the most common reason money is taken from a deposit, and a professional clean usually costs less than the deductions it prevents. This guide sets out 5 benefits, the costs to weigh up and the cases where doing it yourself is fine.
Why Cleaning Causes So Many Deposit Deductions
At check out, the landlord or inventory clerk compares the property with the check in inventory. Anything dirtier than it was at move in, allowing for fair wear and tear, can be charged for. Ovens, limescale in bathrooms, greasy extractor hoods, marked skirting boards and dusty light fittings are the usual problem areas.
In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 stops landlords from insisting that tenants pay for a professional clean. They can still deduct the reasonable cost of bringing the property back to the standard recorded in the inventory, so the clean has to be good enough either way.
5 Benefits of a Professional End of Tenancy Clean
1. A better chance of getting your full deposit back
Professional teams clean to an inventory checklist, which covers the areas clerks check first. That focus is what turns a property that looks tidy into one that passes inspection.
2. Time back during the busiest week of the move
A thorough end of tenancy clean of a 2 bedroom flat can take a full day or more on your own. A team usually finishes in a few hours, which leaves you free to pack, return keys and settle in to the new place.
3. The right equipment and products
Oven degreasers, limescale removers, steam cleaners and extension poles shift build up that household products struggle with. Professionals also know which products are safe on stainless steel, natural stone and wooden floors.
4. Fewer disputes with the landlord or agent
Many companies offer a short re clean guarantee, so if the agent flags a cleaning issue soon after check out, the team returns to fix it. A dated invoice and checklist also help if a deduction is challenged.
5. A fresh start for the next tenant and the landlord
For landlords and letting agents, a professional clean shortens the gap between tenancies and gives the next tenant a clean, well presented home from day 1.
What It Costs Compared With What It Saves
The price of a professional clean depends on the size of the property, its condition and extras such as carpet or oven cleaning. Compare that figure with the deposit at stake, which in England is capped at 5 weeks of rent for most tenancies. If a dirty oven, a limescaled shower and marked walls could each lead to a deduction, the clean often pays for itself. Our guide to what affects end of tenancy cleaning prices explains the main cost factors.
When Doing It Yourself Makes Sense
A DIY clean can work if the property is small, you kept on top of cleaning during the tenancy and you have a full day spare before check out. Use the inventory as your checklist, start at the top of each room and work down, and leave the oven and bathroom until you have the right products.
- Take dated photos of every room once you finish.
- Clean inside cupboards, the fridge, the freezer and the washing machine drawer.
- Descale taps, shower screens and the toilet.
- Wipe skirting boards, door frames, switches and radiators.
- Vacuum and mop floors last, working towards the door.
How to Get the Most From a Professional Clean
- Book the clean for after you have moved your belongings out, so every surface can be reached.
- Share the check in inventory with the cleaning company so they know the expected standard.
- Make sure the electricity and hot water are on for the day of the clean.
- Check the work before the cleaners leave and point out anything missed.
- Keep the invoice and any guarantee details until the deposit is returned.
Our Verdict for Tenants
For most tenants, especially those with a larger property, a busy move or a deposit worth several weeks of rent, professional cleaning is worth it. It saves time, reduces the risk of deductions and gives you evidence if a dispute comes up. Tenants moving out of a London rental can book end of tenancy cleaning in London to the inventory standard agents look for.
Move Out Cleaning and Deposit FAQs
Is end of tenancy cleaning worth the money?
For most tenants it is, because cleaning is the most common reason for deposit deductions and a professional clean usually costs less than those deductions. It also saves a full day of work during a move. It is worth it most for larger homes, busy moves and properties that need oven or limescale work.
Can a landlord make me pay for professional cleaning?
In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means a landlord cannot require you to pay for a professional clean. They can still deduct the reasonable cost of cleaning if the property is dirtier than it was at check in, allowing for fair wear and tear. The inventory sets the standard you are judged against.
What do landlords check most at the end of a tenancy?
Most checks focus on the oven, hob and extractor hood, limescale in the bathroom, inside kitchen cupboards and appliances, skirting boards, windows and sills, and carpets. Clerks compare each area with the check in inventory and photos, so any build up of grease, dust or marks that was not there before can lead to a deduction.
How long does an end of tenancy clean take?
A professional team usually cleans a 1 or 2 bedroom flat in a few hours, while larger houses can take most of a day. The time depends on the size, the condition and extras such as carpet or oven cleaning. Doing the same job alone often takes a full day or longer.
Should I clean the property myself or hire professionals?
Cleaning it yourself can work for a small, well kept property when you have a full day spare and the right products. Hire professionals if the oven, bathroom or carpets need serious work, if time is short, or if the deposit is large. Either way, use the inventory as your checklist and take dated photos.
