End of tenancy cleaning in Battersea’s new-build flats is judged against a harder starting point than almost anywhere else in London. The flat was brand new, or close to it, when you moved in.
That means the check-in inventory records perfect glass, unmarked gloss cupboards and spotless chrome. The clerk will compare your flat to those photos, not to a typical lived-in rental.
This checklist is for flats in Nine Elms, Battersea Power Station, Embassy Gardens, Riverlight and the other riverside developments across SW8 and SW11. If you would rather book the clean, our Battersea end of tenancy cleaning service covers the whole area, with the oven included and a 48-hour re-clean guarantee.
Why new-build flats fail check-outs differently
A new-build flat fails check-out on finish, not on dirt. Fingerprints on gloss cupboards, smears on floor-to-ceiling glass, limescale on frameless shower screens and dust in ventilation grilles all show up clearly against check-in photos of a flat that had never been lived in.
Older Battersea properties, such as the Victorian terraces around Clapham Junction, tend to fail on grease, grime and worn period features. New-builds are the opposite.
Most surfaces are smooth and easy to clean, but every mark is visible. Glass, gloss and chrome make up much of the flat, and they show every streak.
The other difference is the building itself. Concierge desks, booking systems for lifts and loading bays, and rules about when contractors can work all affect how a clean is planned.
Before you start: building rules and access
Sort these out at least a week before your move-out date:
- Book the goods lift and loading bay through building management for removals day, and check whether cleaners need a separate booking.
- Tell the concierge who is coming, when, and who holds the keys or fobs.
- Check parking. Many developments have no visitor parking, so cleaners and removal vans may need to use nearby pay-and-display or a booked loading slot.
- Find your check-in inventory and look at the photos of the glass, kitchen and bathrooms.
- Check whether the inventory notes snagging. Marks recorded at check-in as building defects are not yours to fix.
- Defrost the fridge freezer at least 24 hours before the clean.
Do the clean after the removals team has gone. Moving furniture through a new-build often leaves scuffs on walls and dust on floors that need a final pass.
Glazing, balconies and window tracks
Glass is the single biggest job in most Nine Elms flats. Floor-to-ceiling windows and full-height sliding doors take far longer than standard windows.
Inside the flat:
- Every pane of glass cleaned on the inside, top to bottom, and dried without streaks.
- Sliding door tracks vacuumed and wiped (grit collects here fast).
- Door handles, locks and frames wiped.
- Window sills and the bottom rail of each pane cleaned.
- Blinds dusted or wiped, including any built-in motorised blinds.
On the balcony:
- Decking or tiles swept.
- The inside face of the glass balustrade wiped where it can be reached safely.
- Balcony furniture wiped if it came with the flat.
- Plant pots, bird mess and rubbish removed.
Do not lean over a balustrade or stand on furniture to reach outside glass.
In most towers, the outside of the windows is cleaned by the building’s own contractor as part of the service charge. Check with building management before anyone tries it.
Kitchen checklist for integrated and handleless kitchens
The kitchen is where new-build check-outs most often lose money. Gloss doors show every fingerprint, and integrated appliances hide dirt behind their panels.
Work through:
- Handleless gloss or matt doors wiped and buffed dry, especially along the finger pulls.
- Every cupboard and drawer emptied and wiped inside.
- Induction hob cleaned with a hob scraper and a non-scratch cleaner, then polished.
- Integrated oven cleaned inside, including racks, trays and the glass between the door panels.
- Combination microwave or steam oven cleaned inside (these are common in new builds and easy to forget).
- Integrated fridge freezer emptied, defrosted, cleaned and left with the door ajar.
- Dishwasher filter removed and cleaned, and the door seal wiped.
- Washer-dryer door seal, detergent drawer and lint filter cleaned.
- Boiling-water tap or filter tap descaled at the spout.
- Quartz or composite worktops wiped and dried, with no abrasive pads.
- Extractor or downdraft filter washed.
- Kickboards wiped and the floor under the edge of the units cleaned.
Be careful with products on gloss. Abrasive creams and scouring pads can leave fine scratches that show up as damage on the check-out report.
Bathrooms and en suites
Many Battersea new-build flats have a main bathroom and an en suite. Both are inspected in full.
For each one:
- Frameless glass shower screen descaled and dried, including the fixing brackets.
- Rainfall or wall-mounted shower heads descaled.
- Wall-hung toilet cleaned underneath and around the wall fixing.
- Concealed cistern flush plate wiped.
- Basin, taps and waste descaled.
- Large-format tiles and the grout lines cleaned.
- Mirror cabinets emptied and wiped, inside and out.
- Heated towel rail wiped.
- Ceiling extract grille dusted.
- Floor cleaned, including behind the toilet.
London has hard water, and new chrome fittings show limescale very quickly. Descale gently and dry everything, because water spots on chrome are one of the first things a clerk photographs.
Ventilation, comfort cooling and the small details
New-build flats have equipment that older flats do not. Clerks check it because it is on the inventory.
- Ventilation grilles. Many new-builds have a mechanical ventilation system with grilles in the ceilings of the kitchen and bathrooms. Dust the grilles, but do not remove or change filters unless your tenancy says so.
- Comfort cooling or fan coil grilles. Dust the grilles in living rooms and bedrooms.
- Video entry handset. Wipe the screen and handset.
- Sliding wardrobe doors. Clean the mirrors and vacuum the floor tracks.
- Utility cupboard. Wipe the shelves and clean around the hot water cylinder or heat interface unit, without touching the controls.
- Light switches, sockets and door handles. Wipe every one.
- Engineered wood or LVT floors. Vacuum, then use a damp mop with a floor-safe product. Never soak a wood floor.
Do not forget residents’ storage, a bike store space or a parking bay if they were part of the tenancy. Clear them and leave them clean.
What Battersea inventory clerks look at first
New-build flats are usually managed by agents who carry out detailed, photo-heavy check-ins. These are the areas we see flagged most often:
| Area | New-build risk | What to do before checkout |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Streaks and handprints on full-height windows and doors | Clean and dry every pane, then check it in daylight |
| Door tracks | Grit and dust in sliding door runners | Vacuum and wipe the full length of each track |
| Kitchen doors | Fingerprints on gloss handleless units | Wipe and buff dry along every finger pull |
| Appliances | Dirty integrated oven, microwave or dishwasher filter | Open every appliance and clean inside |
| Bathrooms | Limescale on frameless screens and chrome | Descale both bathrooms, then dry all fittings |
| Grilles | Dust on ceiling ventilation and cooling grilles | Dust every grille in every room |
The aim is to match the check-in photos, allowing for fair wear and tear. Small marks from normal living are not your cost, as our fair wear and tear guide explains.
Older Battersea properties
Not every Battersea move-out is a new-build. The Victorian terraces and conversions around Clapham Junction, Northcote Road and Lavender Hill, and the mansion blocks along Prince of Wales Drive, need a different checklist.
For those, use our complete end of tenancy cleaning checklist. It covers sash windows, period skirting and older kitchens.
How long a new-build flat clean takes
A one-bedroom new-build flat usually takes three to five hours with a professional team. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat often takes four to six hours, mostly because of the glass and the second bathroom.
For prices, our London end of tenancy cleaning cost guide puts a one-bedroom flat at £199 to £270 and a two-bedroom flat at £239 to £370. Flats with a lot of glazing or a second bathroom sit towards the higher end.
You do not have to book a professional clean. Our guide to whether end of tenancy cleaning is mandatory explains what your landlord can and cannot ask for.
Battersea new-build checklist summary
Clean every pane of glass, every door track and every appliance, then descale both bathrooms and dust the grilles. Check the building’s rules on lifts, parking and contractors a week ahead, and take dated photos once each room is done.
To book a clean for a flat in Nine Elms, Battersea Power Station or anywhere in SW8 and SW11, get a quote from our Battersea end of tenancy cleaning page and send photos of the kitchen, bathrooms and any problem areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you clean new-build flats at Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms?
Yes. We clean flats across Nine Elms, Battersea Power Station, Embassy Gardens and Riverlight, as well as the rest of SW8 and SW11. We work with concierge teams on access and key collection, and every clean includes the oven and our 48-hour re-clean guarantee.
Do I need to clean the outside of the windows in a tower block?
Usually not. In most Battersea and Nine Elms towers, the outside of the windows is cleaned by the building’s own contractor and paid for through the service charge. Clean the inside of every window and the inside of the balcony glass. Check your tenancy agreement and ask building management if you are unsure.
Are marks recorded as snagging my responsibility?
No. If the check-in inventory records a mark, chip or defect as snagging or an existing issue, it is not your responsibility at check-out. Keep a copy of the check-in report and point to the entry if the same mark appears on the check-out report.
How do I clean a gloss handleless kitchen without damaging it?
Use a soft microfibre cloth, warm water and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner, then buff the surface dry. Avoid scouring pads and cream cleaners, which can leave fine scratches. Pay most attention to the finger pulls along the top of each door, where marks build up.
Can cleaners use the service lift on my move-out day?
That depends on your building. Most developments ask residents to book the goods lift and loading bay in advance, and some need contractor details too. Contact building management a week before you move and include both your removals team and your cleaners in the booking.
Last updated: 12 October 2026
