How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost?

It is not a regular clean done thoroughly — it is a different specification. Expect inside all kitchen cupboards and drawers, inside and behind the oven, fridge and freezer defrosted and cleaned, extractor filters, limescale off taps and shower screens, skirtings, door frames, light switches, sockets, window sills, inside windows and internal glass, and all floors including under moveable furniture.

Ask for the checklist in writing before booking. Reputable end of tenancy firms have one, and it is the document you will refer to if there is any argument later.

The property should be empty, or nearly so. Cleaners cannot clean inside a cupboard that is still full, and anything they cannot reach is what the inventory clerk will photograph.

Deposits for assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales must be protected in a government-approved scheme, and disputes go to that scheme's free adjudication service rather than to the landlord's discretion.

Cleaning is one of the most frequent causes of deduction claims, and adjudicators work from evidence. A dated invoice from a cleaning company, ideally with the checklist attached and photographs, is strong evidence. "I cleaned it myself and it was fine" is not.

One important limit: a landlord cannot require the property to be cleaner than it was when you moved in. Fair wear and tear is expected. Your check-in inventory is the baseline, so find it before you start negotiating.

Some tenancy agreements state a professional clean is required. Whether such a clause is enforceable has been contested, and adjudicators generally look at the actual standard achieved rather than who achieved it — but a professional receipt removes the argument entirely.

Many end of tenancy firms offer a re-clean guarantee — if the landlord or agent raises an issue within a set window, usually 48 to 72 hours, they return and put it right free.

This is worth more than a small price difference, because the alternative is paying twice or losing part of your deposit. Check the window, check what triggers it, and check whether the property needs to still be empty.

Also confirm the firm carries public liability insurance, and ask who is responsible if something is damaged.

Book the clean for after your belongings are out and before the check-out inspection, with enough of a gap that a re-clean is still possible if needed. Booking it for the morning of the inspection removes that safety margin entirely.

Empty the property completely first. Every cupboard left full is a cupboard that cannot be cleaned, and it is the most common reason a clean gets marked down.

Do the easy parts yourself — general tidying, bins out, obvious rubbish removed — and pay for the detailed work.

Bundle carpets and oven with the main clean rather than booking separate specialists; most firms discount the combination.

Book early. End of tenancy work clusters around month ends, and last-minute bookings in the last week of the month are the most expensive and hardest to get.

And take date-stamped photographs of every room after the clean. They cost nothing and are the single most useful thing you can have if a deduction is proposed.