Cleaning your property during and at the end of your tenancy

So, you're ready to move on from the property you're renting, and there's a lot to tick off the list before you leave. One of the most important things you'll need to sort out is cleaning the property.

The cleanliness of the property will be clearly set out in the Move In inventory Report sent to all tenants at the beginning of a tenancy. If the Move Out Inspection Report shows that the property was less clean when the tenant left, the tenant will be responsible for the cost of restoring the property to an equivalent standard.

At the end of each and every tenancy, the property needs to be left in a clean and tidy state. In an attempt to avoid any confusion as to the state that properties need to be cleaned, there is an in-depth guide and explanation about end of tenancy cleaning found below. Small cleans conducted frequently throughout the duration of your tenancy will help minimise the amount of cleaning at the end of your tenancy.

End of Tenancy Cleaning

Before you move out of your property you will need to clean the entire premises to a standard just as you were offered at the start of yours. After you move out we will carry out an inspection and if extra cleaning is needed to get the standard of the property up to the level required, we will have to contract a cleaning company to do the cleaning. A minimum cleaning charge may be levied by any cleaning company contracted, and the actual charge could be higher depending on the state of the property and how much cleaning is required. After the cleaners have finished their work, they will invoice us and we will inform you of the charge, which can either be paid by yourselves or deducted from your returnable deposit. Please note cleaning charges are separate from charges applied for damages.

• Important note: Even if you make some effort to clean a particular item/area, but the result is not to the standard we expect and need, then you will be charged the full cost of cleaning it after you move out.
• Please see this Cleaning Checklist for an overview of what we'll be looking for during our move out inspection checks. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and if you're in any doubt about this please contact us as soon as possible.

Should we hire a professional cleaner?

You may be trying to decide whether to hire a professional cleaning service or get the property back in order yourself. There are plenty of reasons why both options are attractive. Cleaning the rental property yourself will be a much cheaper option, the downside to doing this is that it can be time-consuming. You'll have to put in the hours to give the property a thorough and intensive clean to get it back to the standard of before you moved in. 

Choosing a professional cleaning service offers a stress-free move. By hiring someone to take care of the cleaning, you can concentrate on the rest of your moving day checklist. You're less likely to have deposit deductions for cleaning if the property is professionally cleaned, as you've chosen an expert team that should make sure the property is spotless.

Also, choosing the right cleaner can prove tricky. As with any service, there's a risk that you could hire a company that doesn't do a thorough job. Check through your inventory to compare the list with the work carried out so that you can be sure it matches up. 

Feel free to reach out to us to gain some advice

Rubbish and Unwanted Furniture/Items

We know from experience that a lot of extra rubbish is created by tenants moving out. 

Any rubbish, items of furniture or appliances left after you have removed your items (that do not belong to the landlord) should be disposed of properly either by putting it in the correct bin(s) or by arranging for it to be collected by the Council. If waste is left inside or outside the property in an inappropriate place (e.g. dumped next to the bins, or left inside your flat) we will charge you for its removal.

Please do not leave portable appliances or cleaning products (e.g. kettles, toasters) in the property for the next tenant if they were not provided by the landlord. You can instead donate these items at your local charity shop.

Cleaning Guide

Should you opt to clean the house or flat yourself we encourage you to make a start a few weeks before you move out to ease the stress of the final moving day. Follow our helpful advice to guide you through but importantly remember the following

• Use your Move In Inventory as your guide as this will clearly set out the standard of the property when you were first offered it
• Make sure you have removed all of your belongings from the property, so please make sure you check all the cupboards and drawers. Any belongings or rubbish (even small bits at the bottom of drawers) left within the flat will need to be removed by us and we would have to charge you for this.
• Leave all operating and instruction manuals for the appliances, boiler, heaters, etc. in the property - please do not throw these away so the next tenants can use them!
• We cannot keep furniture (such as shelves) or electrical appliances (such as microwaves or TVs) that were not supplied to you by the Landlord at the start of your Tenancy for the next Tenants so it is better for you to dispose of these items before you move out to avoid removal charges. 
• Use the right tools to ensure effective cleaning to get the job done such as window cleaning solution, disinfectant, scourers, cloths, a good mop and an effective vacuum.
• The big jobs - areas that are used regularly and accumulate the most dirt and grime, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. These areas usually require intense cleaning and the right cleaning products can help reduce the amount of elbow grease to use so ensure you allow yourself enough time to focus on these rooms!

Find this handy checklist below as a guide to work through 

General areas

• Remove all tenant belongings including furniture, food, rubbish and left over cleaning products 
• Dust and wipe down all skirting boards with a damp cloth to remove any marks
• Wipe clean any non-permanent marks on walls 
• Dust all light fittings, light shades and replace any light bulbs that are not working
• Dust all ceilings and corners removing cobwebs if any
• Wipe clean all switches, door handles (interior and exterior to door)and doors with a damp cloth to remove any marks
• Wipe clean all handrails/railings 
• Wipe/dust all window sills and frames, cleaning any mildew stains with bleach/mould and mildew spray if required (you may need to spray solution in advance to allow time for the active formula to work)
• Clean internal panes of window/door glass with appropriate streak free window cleaning solution and a microfibre cloth
• Wipe clean all doors of dirt and grime
• Hoover and mop (if appropriate) floors in all rooms, ensuring that no pools of moisture are left on the floor. Pay special attention to areas such as the floor beneath under-counter white goods, appliances
• Vacuum clean all floors/carpets, including underneath moveable furniture such as sofas and beds. Pay special attention to behind beds, side tables and skirting boards
• Sweep any balconies or outdoor spaces removing any rubbish or personal belongings 
• Remove any blu-tac, nails, or picture hooks from wall, and make good as appropriate (you will be required to fill, sand and repaint any damages you have caused)
• Clean and launder any curtains

Kitchens

• Defrost all fridge-freezers, and clean inside using appropriate cleaning materials. Turn off the unit at the mains and open the doors to ventilate when moving out
• Wipe clean all kitchen surfaces and backsplashes, including inside kitchen cabinets, their doors inside and out, handles and underside with a solution that cuts through grease
• Clean inside oven, oven trays/racks and over door using appropriate cleaning materials
• Clean hob and extractor fan changing the extractor fan filter or washing the extractor fans (tip use the dishwasher if you have one to clean the removable extractor fan panels)
• Clean the interior drawers of washing machine, note the detergent draw will be removable to clean and don't forget to wipe the internal rubber seal and glass door
• Clean interior and exterior of microwave and dishwasher (don't forget the sides and doors)
• Be sure to clean around, behind and under all appliances, as well as cleaning inside them.
• If your kitchen has built in refuse bin under the sink, remove and clean the individual bins ensuring no food/waste/grime is present
• Clean the sink and clear the plug holes of any food waste, wipe down and clean with a streak free solution
• For apartments with a ventilation system, clean the round extractor ceiling unit free of grease and dust (round, white vent)

Bathrooms

• Clean all tile grout and silicone with appropriate cleaning solution. If you have black mildew marks on the silicone use bleach or mould and mildew spray, you may need to use a few times overnight so the active formula can cut through the dirt 
• Clean bath, sink and toilet, both internally and externally
• Clean shower enclosure including the runners - If you have a glass or plastic shower screen, please make sure you clean it thoroughly using non-smear glass-cleaning spray. A lot of tenants miss this and it is labour-intensive to clean
• Clean and polish all fixtures in fittings 

Bedrooms and living spaces

• Empty and clean the bedside tables, chest of drawers, wardrobes and tables - use a damp cloth to remove any marks inside and out
• Clean surfaces of furnishings of dust including tops of shelving/wardrobes
• Remove any unused clothing hangers that have not been provided by the landlord 
• Clean and launder the mattress protector provided at the beginning of the tenancy, leave at the property for the inspector to recover 
• Vacuum all flooring - pay special attention to behind and under furnishings, moving them where possible
• Clean and wipe down the headboard if a wipeable material
• Vacuum clean all sofas and chairs (ensuring that any removable cushions are taken off and vacuumed underneath as appropriate). Wipe all leather, faux leather sofas and chairs 

Common Cleaning and Repairs

There are a few common cleaning/damage issues that we've noticed that have some simple solutions but are often missed. Most of these issues may incur charges at the end of your tenancy if they weren't already like that when you moved in. We never want to apply any charges, but must do so if things are damaged or require cleaning outside of "fair wear and tear".

Posters and hangings on walls

Any use of nails, hooks, blu/white tack or sellotape can leave marks or holes in walls, doors or other surfaces. If these are not repaired before you move out, we will likely have to charge for redecoration of the affected areas. If you do attempt repair and can't match the finish of the wall properly, it may be worth painting an entire wall to avoid the new areas of paint being noticed.

You can use a guide like this to fill and paint holes, or remove blu tack stains.

Mould on the silicone around bathtubs/showers and window sills

This happens when condensation or water isn't regularly dried. An incredibly easy way of doing this is using bleach and some paper towels - see this video for the method. Use bleach or mould and mildew spray to clean the areas. You may need to use a few times overnight so the active formula can cut through the dirt. 

See this guide for a walkthrough of the process.

Limescale on grout between bathroom tiles + shower screens 

Pink or orange limescale often builds up on the grouting between tiles in bathrooms/showers this can easily be removed using some cleaning supplies and a toothbrush or similar bristled tool. See this video for an example and more details. 

Likewise, limescale on shower screens also needs to be cleaned, as described in this video.

Missing/spent light bulbs and batteries

If your light bulbs no longer work, or a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm battery is low, these will need to be replaced before you leave.

If we need to replace them for you, as they were working when you moved in, then we would need to charge £5 per bulb, and £3 per battery for the cost of the item and the time to replace it. 

If you're not sure what bulb to get or need help replacing it, please let us know ASAP so we can help you ahead of moving out.

Ovens and fridge/freezers

Two of the most time-consuming items to clean in the kitchen are the oven (+ surrounding area), and the fridge/freezer and both require some elbow grease. 

For the oven, use baking soda or something like Oven Pride. See a video detailing it here, or a shorter video here. Fridges need to be cleaned thoroughly, and freezers should be fully defrosted, as described in this video. Be sure to not allow the water to leak out, and leave the fridge and freezer compartments propped open if you're turning them off, otherwise they will become mouldy and smell.

Common oversights

We find that many tenants tend to forget certain areas of the property to clean at the end of the tenancy, so please make sure to check the following spaces:

• Sofas: remove cushions to hoover any dust and crumbs that have collected in the crevices
• Washing machine detergent tray and rubber seal inside the drum: the tray is typically fully removable to allow you to wash and try this fully. The rubber seal can be cleaned with a wet wipe to remove any mould or stagnant water- please remember to dry this with a clean paper towel afterwards
• Skirting boards and door frames will collect dust over time, which can also be easily removed with a wet wipe
• Behind and under furniture
• Bottom of drawers or cupboards
• Cupboard handles