End of Tenancy Cleaning London: The 2026 Checklist to Get Your Deposit Back

Most tenants lose part of their deposit over cleaning. Not because they were dirty people — because they missed things landlords specifically look for.

The average deposit in London is £1,800. Professional end of tenancy cleaning costs £200–£350 for a two-bed flat. That maths makes itself.

This guide covers what landlords actually inspect, what the checklist looks like room by room, how much it costs to do it yourself versus hire a professional, and when it's genuinely worth paying someone else to handle it.

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Why End of Tenancy Cleaning Is Different from Regular Cleaning

Your weekly clean and an end of tenancy clean are not the same thing.

A regular clean keeps a home tidy. An end of tenancy clean needs to return a property to the condition recorded in the check-in inventory — which was almost certainly "professionally cleaned." That means inside the oven, behind the fridge, inside wardrobes, inside kitchen cupboards, limescale off every tap and showerhead, and marks off walls where possible.

Landlords and letting agents in London use professional inventory clerks who photograph every room at check-in and check-out. They will notice the grease at the back of the oven. They will notice limescale on the shower screen. They will notice the dust on top of the extractor fan hood that nobody has touched in two years.

The standard you're being held to is "professionally clean." If your check-in inventory says the property was professionally cleaned when you moved in, you need to return it in that same condition.

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The Room-by-Room End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist

Use this before your check-out inspection. Tick everything — not just the obvious surfaces.

Kitchen

• Oven: inside, racks, glass door, and the drawer underneath
• Hob: burners, drip trays, surrounding surface
• Extractor fan: filter removed, grease cleaned, fan blades wiped
• Fridge and freezer: fully defrosted, all shelves removed and washed, door seals cleaned
• Microwave: inside and outside, including the turntable
• All cupboards and drawers: inside, outside, and top surfaces
• Worktops and splashback: degreased and limescale-free
• Sink and taps: limescale removed, plug holes cleared
• Washing machine: drum cleaned, door seal wiped, filter emptied
• Dishwasher: filter cleaned, interior wiped, door seal checked
• Floors: swept, mopped, and grout cleaned
• Walls and skirting boards: marks removed, dust cleared

Bathrooms

• Toilet: under the rim, seat hinges, exterior, behind the cistern
• Bath: tub, taps, overflow, and any shelves or ledges
• Shower: screen descaled, tiles regrouted where needed, tray scrubbed
• Sink: basin, taps, and the area around the drain
• Mirrors: streak-free
• Extractor fan: grilles wiped, dust removed
• Tiles: limescale removed, grout cleaned
• Floors: including behind the toilet and around the base of the unit
• Cupboards: inside and outside

Bedrooms

• Wardrobes: inside shelves, hanging rail, floor, top surface
• Windows: frames, sills, and glass (inside)
• Light fittings: shades wiped, bulbs dusted
• Skirting boards and dado rails
• Radiators: front and between the fins
• Carpets: hoovered thoroughly, stains treated
• Walls: scuff marks and blu-tack residue removed where possible
• Door handles, light switches, and plug sockets

Living and Dining Areas

• Skirting boards, coving, and ceiling corners (cobwebs)
• Fireplace and hearth if present
• TV unit, shelving, and any built-in storage
• Windows and window sills
• Curtain rails and blinds
• Light fittings and lampshades
• Carpets or hard floors cleaned to original condition

Whole Property

• All internal doors: handles, frames, and top of the door
• Hallway and stairs: banister, spindles, carpet or floor
• Loft hatch (if accessible)
• Garage or storage space
• Garden: bins emptied, surfaces swept, nothing left behind
• All windows cleaned inside (outside is typically the landlord's responsibility)
• Bins emptied and cleaned inside and out

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End of Tenancy Cleaning Costs in London (2026)

Here's an honest breakdown of what professional end of tenancy cleaning costs in London right now.

Property Size	Estimated Cost
Studio / 1-bed flat	£140 – £220
2-bed flat	£200 – £320
3-bed flat or house	£280 – £420
4-bed house	£350 – £550
Add-on: oven clean	£40 – £70
Add-on: carpet steam clean	£50 – £100 per room
Add-on: upholstery clean	£60 – £150

Prices vary depending on the condition of the property and location within London. A flat in Kensington that hasn't had a deep clean in three years will cost more than one that's been kept in good condition.

Most reputable end of tenancy cleaning companies in London include a 24–72 hour re-clean guarantee — meaning if your landlord raises a cleaning issue at the checkout, they'll come back and fix it for free. That guarantee matters. Make sure it's written into your booking.

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DIY or Professional? How to Decide

You can do this yourself. It will take you 6–12 hours for a two-bed flat if you're thorough, and you'll need to buy or rent specialist products — oven degreaser, limescale remover, a steam cleaner or carpet shampooer if there's carpeting.

The honest question is: do you know what the landlord will specifically look for, and do you have the products and equipment to get those things genuinely clean?

Do it yourself if:

• Your property is small and well-maintained
• You have the time and the cleaning products
• The check-in inventory shows the property was not professionally cleaned
• Your landlord is reasonable and not looking for reasons to deduct

Hire a professional if:

• The check-in inventory specifies "professionally cleaned"
• You have carpet that needs steam cleaning
• The oven, hob, or bathroom has significant grease or limescale buildup
• You don't have time (particularly relevant if you're moving on a tight deadline)
• You want the re-clean guarantee as a safety net against disputes

If your deposit is £1,500 or more, a £250 professional clean is rarely the wrong call.

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What Landlords and Letting Agents Actually Check

Based on what letting agents in London flag most often at check-out:

Number one: the oven. It's the single most common cleaning deduction. Landlords know tenants leave it. So do agents. If you do nothing else, clean the oven properly — or pay someone to.

Number two: limescale. London has extremely hard water. Shower screens, taps, and toilet bowls accumulate visible limescale deposits quickly. It doesn't look clean, even if everything else is.

Number three: inside cupboards. Most tenants clean surfaces. Few clean the inside of kitchen cupboards. Agents open them.

Number four: behind and under appliances. The fridge should be pulled out. So should the washing machine. Grease and dust accumulate and agents know exactly where to look.

Number five: carpet condition. Stains, matting, and odours are all grounds for deductions. A professional carpet clean adds £40–£80 per room and is usually worth it if you've had the property for a year or more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does end of tenancy cleaning have to be done by a professional?

No — there's no legal requirement to hire a professional cleaner. What your tenancy agreement requires is that the property is returned in the same condition it was in at check-in, accounting for fair wear and tear. If your check-in inventory states the property was professionally cleaned, you'll need to match that standard. Hiring a professional is the most reliable way to meet it.

Can my landlord charge me for cleaning if I clean it myself?

Yes, if the property does not meet the standard recorded in the check-in inventory. Landlords must provide evidence of the cleaning shortfall (usually comparative photos from check-in and check-out) to make a deduction through the deposit scheme. If you dispute it, the scheme will assess the evidence from both sides.

How long does end of tenancy cleaning take?

A studio flat typically takes 3–5 hours. A two-bed flat takes 6–8 hours. A three-bed house can take 8–12 hours or more, depending on condition. Professional teams work faster because they bring specialist equipment and work in pairs — a typical two-bed flat takes a professional team around 4–5 hours.

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Need a Professional End of Tenancy Clean in London?

At St. Anne's Housekeeping, our end of tenancy cleaning service includes a 48-hour re-clean guarantee — if your landlord raises a cleaning issue at the checkout inspection, we'll come back and fix it at no extra cost.

Our teams are DBS checked, fully insured, and have been helping London tenants and landlords since 2009. We cover all London boroughs.

Get a free quote today — most bookings are confirmed within 24 hours.

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Looking for more cleaning guides? Read our complete deep cleaning guide or our seasonal cleaning checklist for ongoing maintenance tips.