Moving In or Out? The Ultimate End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Guide for Londoners

Moving can be exciting—but let's be real, it's also stressful. Between packing boxes, organising removal vans, and signing paperwork, cleaning is often the last thing you want to deal with. But whether you're handing back keys to a landlord or preparing your new place for a fresh start, end-of-tenancy cleaning is a must.

If you're in London, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the process smoother—and help you secure that all-important deposit return.

🧼 Why End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Matters

In both cities, landlords and letting agents expect the property to be returned in pristine condition. Failing to clean properly can lead to:

• Deduction from your deposit

• Delays in moving out

• Negative references for future rentals

A professional clean isn’t just about making the place look nice—it’s about meeting rental agreement standards.

📋 Your Complete End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Checklist

Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring help, this list covers every must-clean area:

Kitchen

• Deep clean oven, hobs & extractor fan

• Clean inside and outside of all cupboards

• Descale kettle, taps, and sink

• Wipe down backsplash and countertops

• Empty and clean fridge and freezer (defrost if needed)

• Mop floors and clean skirting boards

  
  

Bathroom(s)

• Scrub toilet, sink, shower & bath

• Remove limescale from tiles, taps & shower head

• Clean mirrors and glass

• Wipe extractor fan and tile grout

• Mop floors and sanitise all surfaces

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Bedrooms & Living Areas

• Dust and wipe all surfaces (including tops of doors and light fittings)

• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors

• Remove cobwebs

• Clean windows inside (and outside if possible)

• Wipe down walls, baseboards, and doors

  
  

Other Essentials

• Clean inside wardrobes and drawers

• Remove all rubbish and personal items

• Replace any broken light bulbs

• Spot-clean any wall marks (or repaint if necessary)

  
  

👀 What Landlords in London Look For

In highly competitive rental markets like London, landlords often hire professional inventory clerks to inspect the property post-checkout. They're checking for cleanliness, damage, and maintenance issues. A spotless home can be the difference between a full deposit return and hundreds deducted for “professional cleaning.”

🧽 Looking for a Trusted Cleaning Service in London?

We’ve helped hundreds of tenants, landlords, and estate agents with reliable, top-rated end-of-tenancy cleaning across London. Our teams work to a detailed checklist that meets agency standards.

✅ Competitive rates

✅ Flexible scheduling (including weekends!)

✅ Same-day services available

📞 Book your move-out clean today and leave the stress (and mess) to us!

✅ Final Tip Before You Go

Take before-and-after photos of every room once the clean is complete—it’s great for your records and can help resolve disputes if needed.

Moving doesn’t have to be messy. With the right prep—and a little help—you can start your next chapter with a clean slate.