End of tenancy cleaning checklist: get your full deposit back

Cleanliness is one of the most common reasons landlords make deposit deductions, and one of the most avoidable, since it's entirely within your control before you hand back the keys. Here's a room-by-room checklist.

Kitchen

Clean inside and outside of the oven, hob, and extractor fan (grease build-up is the single most-flagged issue in kitchen inspections). Empty and wipe down the fridge and freezer, including door seals. Clean inside cupboards and drawers, wipe down all worktops, and descale the kettle and taps if there's visible limescale.

Bathroom

Remove all limescale from taps, showerhead, and tiles. Clean and disinfect the toilet, including behind the seat hinges. Clean the extractor fan cover, wipe down mirrors and any glass shower screens, and check the grout for mould: a quick treatment now avoids a "damage beyond fair wear and tear" dispute later.

Living areas and bedrooms

Vacuum and, if needed, professionally clean carpets. Many tenancy agreements specifically require this if the carpet was professionally cleaned at move-in. Wipe down skirting boards, light switches, and door frames (these accumulate dust and marks that are easy to miss). Clean inside windows and wipe down sills.

Often-forgotten spots

Behind and underneath appliances, the tops of cupboards, radiator surfaces (dust builds up fast), and light fittings. Inspectors specifically check these because tenants specifically miss them.

When it's worth hiring a professional

If your tenancy agreement requires a professional clean (common when the property was professionally cleaned before you moved in), or if you're short on time before the move-out inspection, a professional end of tenancy clean typically costs £150-300 for a 2-3 bed property and comes with an invoice you can show as evidence if the landlord disputes cleanliness later, which is often worth more than the clean itself in a deposit dispute.

On Fixies you can post an end of tenancy cleaning job, see an AI-estimated fair price for your property size before anyone quotes, and get matched with a verified, insured cleaning team near you.