What is an end of tenancy clean? It is just what it sounds like – a thorough clean of a rental property when tenants move out. If you’re a tenant, you can either book an external cleaning company to do it for you, or do it yourself. 

In this blog, we take a closer look at end of tenancy cleaning, weigh up the advantages of doing it yourself and how to fit the cleaning in around your house move. 

What is an end of tenancy clean?

An end of tenancy clean is a thorough clean of a rental property when tenants move out. It is usually organised by the tenants. This is to maximise the chance of getting back as much of the deposit as possible. 

If you’re a landlord and you find your former tenants have left the property in a right mess, you can arrange an end of tenancy clean and deduct the cost of it from the deposit. 

An end of tenancy clean is different from a regular clean because the property will be empty. This means that either you or your cleaner can get right into the corners, wipe all the shelves in the kitchen cupboards and get the oven clean without anyone trying to cook in it! It’s a deep clean that might include having the carpets washed, dusting the venetian blinds and getting rid of marks and stains. 

It's important to note that an end of tenancy clean is just cleaning. If repairs or redecoration are needed, you will have to do it yourself or risk having the cost of the repair deducted from your deposit. 

Can I do end of tenancy cleaning myself? 

Yes, you can do end of tenancy cleaning yourself. Before you commit, however, get some quotes from cleaning companies and remember that some of them even offer guarantees. Experienced end-of-tenancy cleaners will follow the same checklist property inspectors do, so their cleaning will be of the correct standard.

There is usually no obligation to bring in a professional cleaner. However, it’s important to remember that you should return the property to the same state as you received it. So if the check-in report refers to the cleaning as “professional standard,” you should be prepared to meet this standard if you do the job yourself. If you’re in any doubt about your cleaning abilities, you should hire a professional cleaner instead. 

If you do decide to do the cleaning yourself, there are a number of checklists online to help you. 

What should I consider before I book an end of tenancy clean?

Whether you decide to do it yourself or bring in professional cleaners, it’s important to consider the timeline for having the property cleaned. 

The end of tenancy clean can only take place after all the tenants’ possessions have been removed. This may include furniture if the property is let unfurnished. For this reason, it’s a good idea to move out before the last day of your tenancy, if possible. For example, you could pick up the keys to your new property on Monday, move house on Tuesday, have the old property cleaned on Wednesday and give back the keys to the old property on Thursday. 

It's also important to book in advance so you can get the right cleaning day for your house-moving schedule. Don’t leave it until the last minute! 

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