End of Tenancy Cleaning: What Landlords and Tenants Actually Need

The Cleaning Standard That Matters for Your Deposit

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords cannot require tenants to use a specific cleaning company. However, they can deduct from a deposit if the property is not returned in the same condition as at the start of the tenancy (accounting for fair wear and tear). Cleanliness is the most common ground for deposit deductions according to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) — accounting for over half of all disputed deductions.

The legal standard is not "spotless" — it is "the same condition as the inventory states at start of tenancy, with fair wear and tear." This means:

• If the oven was dirty at check-in, it does not need to be spotless at check-out
• If the inventory notes "good clean condition" or "professionally cleaned", that is the standard the tenant must meet
• If the landlord paid for a professional clean before the tenancy began, they can expect the same at the end

What Every End of Tenancy Clean Should Include

The following items are checked on virtually every checkout inspection and must be completed to avoid deductions:

Kitchen

• Oven interior (racks, glass door, cavity, and fan if accessible)
• Hob burners or induction surface
• Extractor hood filters and canopy
• Inside all cupboards and drawers (crumbs, spills, and grease)
• Inside the fridge and freezer (defrosted fully before cleaning)
• Dishwasher filter and rubber seals
• Sink and tap descaling
• Tiled splashback

Bathroom

• Shower screen or curtain (limescale and soap scum removed)
• Grout lines (mould treatment if applicable)
• Toilet bowl, under rim, and seat hinges
• Bath — limescale on taps and overflow cover
• Extractor fan cover
• Mirror (streak-free)

Throughout the property

• Inside all wardrobes and storage
• Window ledges and sills (inside)
• Skirting boards
• Light switches and door handles (fingermarks)
• Carpets hoovered and spot-treated for stains
• Hard floors mopped

Common Causes of Deposit Deductions Related to Cleaning

Area	Common Issue	Estimated Deduction
Oven	Heavy grease and carbon buildup	£50–£120
Carpets	Stains not treated	£80–£200+
Bathroom grout	Black mould not treated	£50–£100
Kitchen cupboards	Grease and food residue inside	£30–£60
Limescale	On taps, shower heads, tiles	£30–£80
General	Dusty skirting, dirty windows	£50–£100

Deductions vary by property size and agent. An adjudicator from TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits will assess evidence (photos + inventory) when disputes arise.

What Landlords Should Know

Provide a detailed check-in inventory with photographs. Without this, deducting for cleanliness at check-out is extremely difficult to defend at adjudication. The inventory should note the condition of each room and every appliance — not just say "good clean condition throughout."

Fair wear and tear applies. A 3-year tenancy will show carpet wear even with regular cleaning. Adjudicators apply a depreciation approach: a carpet worth £500 new and 5 years into a 10-year lifespan has a remaining value of £250 — deductions are proportional.

You cannot charge for betterment. If a carpet was already 7 years old at the start of the tenancy, you cannot deduct the cost of replacing it with a new one.

Professional End of Tenancy Cleaning vs DIY

Professional end-of-tenancy cleaning covers the items most tenants miss or underestimate: oven interior, limescale removal, and inside appliances. Agencies and landlords recognise professional clean quality during inspections — it reduces back-and-forth on minor points.

St Anne's end-of-tenancy cleans include a written checklist and are available with a 24-hour re-clean guarantee if the landlord or agent identifies any missed areas after checkout inspection. Prices from £180 for a 1-bed flat. We cover all London boroughs.

Call 020 3670 9997 or get a quote.