What Does a Professional End of Tenancy Clean Entail?

When you’re moving out of a rented property, a professional end of tenancy clean isn’t just a nice-to-have-it’s often the difference between getting your full deposit back and losing hundreds of pounds. Landlords and letting agents don’t just want the place to look tidy. They expect it to be spotless, down to the grout lines and inside the oven. Most tenancy agreements require this level of cleanliness, and failing to meet it is one of the top reasons tenants lose deposits.

What’s Actually Required?

A professional end of tenancy clean goes far beyond vacuuming and wiping the kitchen counters. It’s a full deep clean that brings the property back to the condition it was in when you moved in. That means every surface, every appliance, every corner gets attention. It’s not about making it look clean-it’s about making it meet the legal and contractual standards set by the tenancy agreement and the UK’s deposit protection schemes.

Letting agents in Brighton and across the UK routinely use a standardized checklist. This isn’t made up-it’s based on the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) guidelines and the Repair and Maintenance Standards from the Ministry of Housing. Here’s what they check:

• Walls and ceilings: no scuff marks, no sticky patches, no finger marks around light switches
• Floors: all carpets steam-cleaned, hard floors stripped of adhesive residue, grout cleaned
• Kitchen: oven interior (not just the door), hob burners removed and cleaned, inside of fridge and freezer, extractor fan filters washed
• Bathrooms: tiles and grout deep cleaned, showerhead descaled, mirror streak-free, toilet bowl scrubbed under the rim
• Windows: inside and out, sills wiped, tracks cleaned, blinds dusted or washed
• Cupboards and drawers: inside wiped down, no grease or food residue
• Light fixtures: bulbs removed and wiped, covers cleaned
• Doors and doorframes: no smudges, handles polished

It’s not just about dirt. It’s about residue. Grease from cooking, soap scum from showers, dust buildup in vents, sticky patches from kids’ snacks-all of it needs to be gone. Even if you think you cleaned it, professionals will find what you missed.

Why DIY Often Fails

Many tenants think they can save money by doing it themselves. They buy a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, scrub the kitchen, and call it done. But here’s the problem: you’re not trained to spot what landlords look for.

For example, most people don’t know that oven interiors need to be cleaned to a ‘food-safe’ standard-not just wiped. Grease baked onto the bottom of the oven isn’t just unsightly; it’s a fire hazard. Professional cleaners use industrial-grade degreasers and steam cleaners that break down years of buildup. A home cleaner won’t touch that.

Same with grout. You might think wiping the tile surface is enough. But in bathrooms and kitchens, grout turns black from mold and soap residue. It doesn’t come off with a sponge. It needs a brush, a specialized cleaner, and pressure. Without it, the property fails inspection.

And then there’s the time. A full professional clean takes 6-8 hours for a 3-bedroom flat. Most people underestimate how long it takes to do it right. Rushing leads to missed spots-and missed spots mean lost deposits.

What Professionals Use

You won’t find these tools in a typical home cleaning cupboard:

• Steam cleaners for carpets, tiles, and upholstery
• Industrial vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
• Alkaline degreasers for kitchen grease
• Acid-based descalers for showerheads and taps
• Microfiber cloths that trap dust instead of spreading it
• Professional-grade window cleaning systems with extendable poles

They also use cleaning products that are approved for use in rental properties-no bleach on marble, no ammonia on stainless steel. They know what surfaces can handle what. That’s why hiring someone who’s done this 100 times before matters.

The Deposit Checklist: What Gets Checked

Letting agents use a detailed inventory report from when you moved in. That’s your baseline. The end-of-tenancy clean is judged against it. If the kitchen floor was white when you moved in, it needs to be white when you leave-even if you didn’t spill anything.

Here’s what commonly triggers deposit deductions:

• Stubborn stains on carpets that don’t come out with standard cleaning
• Black mold in bathroom corners or behind the toilet
• Grease on extractor fan filters (a fire risk)
• Scuff marks on skirting boards
• Food residue inside the fridge or freezer
• Dirty or broken window tracks
• Unremoved stickers or tape residue on windows

These aren’t exaggerations. In 2024, the UK’s Tenancy Deposit Scheme reported that 42% of deposit disputes were due to inadequate cleaning-not damage. That’s more than broken fixtures or missing items. It’s just… dirty.

How to Prepare Before the Clean

Even if you’re hiring professionals, you can make their job easier-and save money. Here’s how:

1. Remove all personal belongings. Don’t leave boxes, bags, or old clothes. They’ll be treated as waste and may delay the clean.
2. Take out the rubbish. Empty bins and take them to the bin store. Don’t leave them inside.
3. Turn off and unplug appliances. Professionals need access to the back of the fridge and oven.
4. Leave cleaning supplies if you have them. Some companies prefer to use their own, but if you have a good oven cleaner, leave it on the counter.
5. Take photos before you leave. Date-stamped photos can help if there’s a dispute later.

Don’t assume the cleaner will move heavy furniture. Most won’t. If you want the area under the sofa cleaned, move it yourself.

What to Expect on the Day

A professional team usually arrives with two or three people. They’ll bring their own equipment and supplies. You don’t need to be there, but you should give them access and confirm the address and any special instructions.

They’ll work in zones: kitchen first, then bathroom, then living areas, then bedrooms. They’ll clean from top to bottom-ceiling vents, then walls, then surfaces, then floors. They’ll check each area against the inventory report.

After they finish, they’ll often leave a signed checklist for you and the landlord. This is your proof that the job was done. Keep a copy.

How Much Does It Cost?

In Brighton, a professional end of tenancy clean for a 1-bedroom flat starts at £120. For a 3-bedroom house, it’s £250-£350. That might seem steep, but compare it to losing your £500 deposit. It’s an investment.

Some companies offer a deposit guarantee. If the landlord says it’s not clean enough, they’ll come back and fix it-free of charge. That’s worth paying a bit extra for.

What If You’re Not Sure?

If you’re not sure whether your clean was good enough, don’t guess. Book a pre-check. Many cleaning companies offer a 30-minute inspection for £30-£50. They’ll walk through the property with you, point out what needs fixing, and give you a list. It’s cheap insurance.

And if you’re renting out a property yourself? Make sure your tenants know the standard. Include a cleaning checklist in the tenancy agreement. It reduces disputes and keeps your property in good shape.

At the end of the day, a professional end of tenancy clean isn’t about perfection-it’s about meeting a clear, documented standard. Do it right, and you walk away with your deposit. Do it half-heartedly, and you leave money on the table.