End of Tenancy Cleaning: Cost, Checklist and Who Pays

Moving out of a rented home usually means one last clean — and disagreements about it are one of the most common reasons deposits get disputed. This page covers what the clean costs, what it has to achieve, who is on the hook for it, and exactly what needs doing.

What it costs

An end of tenancy clean is quoted per property, not per hour, because the job is defined by the home. Typical 2026 prices:

• Studio flat: £120–£180
• 1-bedroom: £150–£200
• 2-bedroom: £200–£280
• 3-bedroom house: £280–£400
• 4+ bedrooms: £400 and up

London runs above these figures. Carpet cleaning, a full oven clean and upholstery are normally charged on top — bundle them in when you get the quote if the tenancy agreement or check-in report calls for them. Most end-of-tenancy specialists also offer a re-clean guarantee: if the agent flags something within 48–72 hours, they come back at no charge. That guarantee is worth more than a £20 saving elsewhere.

The standard it has to meet

The benchmark is the check-in inventory — the condition report and photos taken when you moved in. You are expected to return the property in the same state of cleanliness, allowing for fair wear and tear. That means an empty property cleaned throughout: inside cupboards and appliances, not just the surfaces that show.

Who pays

In practice the outgoing tenant arranges and pays for the clean. The legal position is more nuanced than it used to be:

• Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, a landlord or agent in England cannot require you to pay for a professional clean as a blanket condition of the tenancy, or charge a set "cleaning fee" from the deposit automatically.
• You are still responsible for returning the property as clean as you received it. If you leave it below that standard, the landlord can make a reasonable deduction from the deposit to put it right — and a professional invoice is strong evidence of a fair cost.
• So you do not have to hire a professional, but if your own clean falls short you will likely pay for one anyway, out of the deposit, at a price you did not choose.

Room-by-room checklist

Kitchen

• Oven, hob, extractor and grill — degreased inside and out
• Inside and outside of the fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine (including the detergent drawer and door seal)
• Inside every cupboard and drawer, fronts wiped, handles cleaned
• Sink and taps descaled, splashback cleaned
• Floor washed, skirting boards wiped, bin cleaned inside and out

Bathrooms

• Limescale removed from taps, shower head, screen and tiles
• Toilet cleaned and disinfected inside, under the rim, behind and around the base
• Bath, basin and shower tray scrubbed; grout cleaned
• Mirror and any glass polished, extractor fan dusted
• Floor washed, skirting wiped

Living areas and bedrooms

• All surfaces, shelves and skirting boards dusted
• Inside wardrobes and built-in storage wiped out
• Interior windows, sills and frames cleaned
• Light switches, sockets, door handles and radiators wiped
• Cobwebs removed, ceiling corners checked
• Carpets vacuumed thoroughly; hard floors washed
• Marks spot-cleaned off walls where possible

Throughout

• Skirting boards, door tops and picture rails across the whole property
• Every internal door and frame wiped
• Any keys, fobs and manuals left as agreed
• Rubbish removed — nothing left in the loft, garden, shed or bins

Booking tips

1. 1Book for after the removal van has gone — the property should be empty so the cleaner can reach everything.
2. 2Ask for the re-clean guarantee in writing and note the time limit.
3. 3Send the cleaner the check-in inventory so they know the standard they are matching.
4. 4Get quotes from cleaners covering your area or post the job with your move-out date and property size.

Frequently asked questions