End of tenancy cleaning checklist (and what deposits actually get docked for)
Cleaning is the single most common reason for deposit deductions in the UK. Most disputes are lost on the same six things.
What agents actually check first
- The oven. More deposits are docked for ovens than anything else. Racks, glass door, inside the roof of the oven, and the extractor filter.
- Limescale. Taps, shower screen, shower head, toilet.
- Inside kitchen cupboards and the fridge, including the seals and the drip tray.
- Skirting boards, window sills and behind doors. Dust, not dirt, but it is what a checkout clerk photographs.
- Carpets. Any stain that was not on the inventory.
- The garden and the bins, if you have them.
Room-by-room checklist
Kitchen: oven interior, racks, glass, grill pan. Hob and extractor filter. Inside and outside all cupboards. Fridge and freezer defrosted, cleaned, left open and switched off if agreed. Washing machine drawer and seal. Sink and taps descaled. Bin cleaned. Floor, including the edges.
Bathroom: descale everything. Shower screen, head and hose. Grout. Toilet including the base and behind. Extractor fan cover. Mirror and cabinet. Floor and edges.
Bedrooms and living areas: all surfaces dusted including tops of wardrobes and door frames. Skirting boards. Window sills and interior glass. Light fittings and switches. Carpets vacuumed and stains treated. Marks removed from walls where possible.
Everywhere: cobwebs. Radiators, including behind. Internal doors and handles. Vacuum inside built-in wardrobes. Empty and clean bins.
Do it yourself or pay someone?
A two-bedroom flat is realistically a full day for two people who know what they are doing, and longer for one person who does not. The oven alone can take two hours by hand.
A professional end-of-tenancy clean for a two-bed typically costs £150 to £260 in a UK city, more in central London and more if you need carpets steam-cleaned. Against a typical deposit deduction, it usually pays for itself.
Making sure it counts
- Book it for after you have moved everything out. Cleaning around furniture is not an end-of-tenancy clean.
- Get a receipt and an itemised list. Some agents accept a professional invoice as evidence in a deposit dispute.
- Ask whether carpets and the oven are included. They are the two most common exclusions.
- Take dated photographs of every room when you finish. This is what wins deposit disputes.
- Compare against the check-in inventory, not against your idea of clean.
Booking it on Taskerama
Post the job with the number of rooms, whether the oven and carpets are included, and your move-out date. Taskers reply with fixed prices, so you know the full cost before you accept, booking fee included.
Your payment is held until you confirm the clean is done, which gives you time to check it against this list. Cancel before the task starts and you are refunded in full to your card. You get a receipt for every job to show your agent.
Timing
Late July to September is the busiest period, driven by student moves and academic-year contracts. Book at least a week ahead in that window or you may pay a premium for short notice.
Post your end-of-tenancy clean free and compare fixed-price offers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost in the UK?
Typically £150 to £260 for a two-bedroom property, more in central London and more if carpet cleaning is included. Studios start around £120 and larger houses run to £350+. On Taskerama you get fixed-price offers with every fee shown before you accept.
Can a landlord insist on a professional clean?
A tenancy agreement cannot require a professional clean as a blanket condition, but you must return the property in the same condition as at check-in, fair wear and tear excepted. In practice, a professional clean with a receipt is the easiest way to evidence that.
Next steps
Related guides
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- Is end of tenancy cleaning worth it? The deposit arithmeticWhat a professional move-out clean costs against what agents deduct, what checkout clerks really inspect, when doing it yourself is fine, and the evidence that wins deposit disputes.
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