This end of tenancy cleaning checklist covers every room, surface, and hidden corner that inventory clerks actually inspect. It’s the same list our cleaning teams use on every job across London.
Most tenants lose deposit money not because the property is dirty, but because they miss specific areas. Behind radiators, inside extractor fans, the tops of doors.
We’ve cleaned hundreds of end-of-tenancy properties for agents including Savills, Knight Frank, and Chestertons. This checklist reflects what those agents expect, not a generic list copied from the internet.
Use it room by room, tick everything off, and you’ll be handing back a property that passes inspection first time.
Before You Start
Get these things done before you pick up a cloth:
- Empty the property completely. You can’t clean behind furniture that’s still there. Inventory clerks will check.
- Defrost the freezer 24 hours in advance. A frozen freezer can’t be cleaned properly, and clerks will flag it.
- Remove all personal items. Check every drawer, shelf, and cupboard. Left belongings cause delays and deductions.
- Take out all rubbish and recycling. Including the bins themselves — wipe them clean inside and out.
- Gather your supplies. You’ll need microfibre cloths, a degreaser, descaler, all-purpose cleaner, rubber gloves, bin bags, a vacuum, and a mop. Plant-based products work just as well as chemical alternatives.
- Work top to bottom, back to front. Start with the hardest room (the kitchen) and finish with the hallway. Dust falls downward, so clean ceilings and high surfaces first.
Kitchen Checklist
The kitchen is where most deposit deductions happen. Inventory clerks spend more time here than any other room.
Oven and Hob:
- Clean inside the oven thoroughly — remove all grease and burnt-on food
- Pull out oven racks and trays, scrub individually
- Clean the oven door glass (inside and out)
- Degrease the hob, including burner caps and rings
- Wipe the grill pan and compartment
Extractor Fan and Hood:
- Remove and wash extractor filters
- Wipe the hood surface and underside
- Clean any visible grease from the vent area
Fridge and Freezer:
- Defrost completely (done 24 hours prior)
- Remove all shelves and drawers, wash separately
- Wipe interior walls, base, and rubber door seals
- Clean the exterior and top of the unit
Cupboards and Drawers:
- Wipe inside every cupboard and drawer (yes, every single one)
- Clean cupboard doors, handles, and hinges
- Remove any shelf liner and clean underneath
Surfaces and Fixtures:
- Descale the sink and taps
- Clean the splashback and tiles
- Wipe down all worktops
- Clean behind and underneath the microwave, toaster, and kettle stands
- Wash the window and sill
- Clean light switches and plug sockets
- Wipe skirting boards
- Mop the floor, including under kickboards
Bathroom Checklist
Limescale and mould are the two things clerks flag most in bathrooms. A biodegradable descaler and some patience will sort both.
Shower and Bath:
- Descale shower glass, screen, and tiles
- Clean grout lines (use a grout brush or old toothbrush)
- Remove and treat any mould on sealant
- Clean the shower head — soak in descaler if needed
- Scrub the bath surface and taps
- Clean the shower tray drain
Toilet:
- Clean inside the bowl, under the rim, and around the base
- Wipe the cistern, seat (both sides), and hinges
- Clean behind the toilet — clerks check here
Sink and Vanity:
- Descale taps and plug hole
- Clean the basin inside and overflow hole
- Wipe the vanity unit or pedestal
- Clean the mirror streak-free
Other Bathroom Areas:
- Clean the extractor fan cover (remove and wash if possible)
- Wipe towel rails and hooks
- Clean light switches and pull cords
- Wipe skirting boards and door frame
- Mop the floor, including behind the toilet and around pipes
Bedroom Checklist
Bedrooms are quicker but clerks still check every detail.
Wardrobes and Storage:
- Wipe inside all wardrobes, shelves, and drawers
- Clean wardrobe doors, handles, and tops
- Remove any hangers unless they were provided
Windows:
- Clean interior glass on all windows
- Wipe window sills, tracks, and frames
- Clean window handles
General:
- Dust and wipe all light fittings and lampshades
- Clean light switches, plug sockets, and thermostats
- Wipe door handles, door frames, and the top edge of the door
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly (including edges and corners)
- Wipe skirting boards around the entire room
- Dust radiators — front, top, and sides
- Remove any picture hooks or wall fixings (fill holes if your tenancy agreement requires it)
Living Room Checklist
The living room follows the same principles as bedrooms, with a few additions.
- Clean the fireplace surround and hearth if present
- Wipe all shelving units inside and out
- Dust and wipe TV brackets or aerial points
- Clean curtain rails or blind fittings
- Vacuum under and behind any remaining furniture
- Clean interior windows, sills, and frames
- Wipe all switches, sockets, and any thermostat panels
- Vacuum carpet edges and corners carefully
- Wipe skirting boards
- Dust ceiling coving and any ceiling vents
Hallway, Stairs, and Entrance
This is the first thing the inventory clerk sees. First impressions count.
- Clean the front door (both sides) and letterbox
- Wipe the door frame, intercom panel, and any entry system
- Vacuum or mop the hallway floor
- Clean any hallway cupboards inside and out (including the meter cupboard)
- Wipe banister rails and spindles
- Vacuum stairs, including carpet edges against the wall
- Clean the under-stairs cupboard if applicable
- Wipe skirting boards and light switches throughout
- Remove any cobwebs from ceiling corners
Areas Most Tenants Miss
This is where deposits get lost. We see the same missed spots on almost every property we clean after a DIY attempt.
- Behind radiators. Use a radiator brush or a long microfibre cloth. Clerks shine a torch back there.
- Top of doors. Run a damp cloth along the top edge of every door. Dust accumulates here for months unseen.
- Light switches and plug sockets. Greasy fingerprints show up instantly on white plastic. A quick wipe with a damp cloth fixes it.
- Extractor fan covers. Kitchen and bathroom fans collect grease and dust. Remove the cover and wash it.
- Inside window tracks. Use a cotton bud or small brush. The tracks fill with dirt, dead insects, and condensation residue.
- Oven door glass. Most people clean the outside. Clerks open the door and check between the glass panels.
- Skirting boards. Every single room. A damp cloth along all skirting boards takes 10 minutes and prevents deductions.
- Kitchen kickboards. The panels beneath the base units. Pull them off if possible and clean behind them.
- Cupboard tops. Kitchen wall units and wardrobes collect a thick layer of greasy dust. Stand on a step and wipe them down.
- Rubber door seals on appliances. Fridge and washing machine seals harbour mould and crumbs. Pull the seal open and clean inside.
How Long Does an End of Tenancy Clean Take?
If you’re doing this yourself, be realistic about the time involved.
| Property Size | DIY Time | Professional Team |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-Bed | 6-8 hours | 3-4 hours |
| 2-Bed | 8-12 hours | 4-6 hours |
| 3-Bed | 12-16 hours | 5-7 hours |
| 4+ Bed House | 16-20+ hours | 6-8+ hours |
Professional teams work faster because they have two or three people, commercial-grade equipment, and they do this every day. A solo DIY clean of a 2-bed flat genuinely takes a full day if you’re doing it to clerk standard.
Start early. Most people underestimate the time and end up rushing the bathroom or skipping the oven — the two areas clerks focus on most.
DIY vs Professional: When to Call In Help
If you’ve got a studio or small 1-bed, a solid day’s work with this checklist should get you through inspection.
For anything larger, or if the property hasn’t been deep cleaned in over a year, a professional team is usually worth the cost. Our end of tenancy cleaning prices start at £189 for studios and include a re-clean guarantee if anything gets flagged.
The maths is simple. A 2-bed flat deposit in London averages over £2,000. A professional clean costs £239-370. You’re spending less than 18% of your deposit to protect the rest.
We use plant-based, eco-friendly products on every job — no harsh chemicals, no toxic residue for the next tenant. Our 97% deposit return rate tells you the standard we work to.
If you’d rather hand this off to a team that does it daily, get your free quote or call us on 07383 435 879. We cover all London boroughs including Fulham, Clapham, and everywhere in between.
Photography Tip
Once you’ve finished cleaning, photograph every room before you leave. Take wide shots and close-ups of the oven interior, bathroom tiles, window tracks, and any areas with pre-existing damage.
These photos are your evidence if a deposit dispute goes to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Adjudicators rely heavily on photographic proof, and timestamps on your phone camera are usually accepted. For more on your rights around deposits and cleaning, read our guide to end of tenancy cleaning laws in the UK.
This takes 15 minutes and could save you hundreds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should an end of tenancy clean include?
A proper end of tenancy clean covers every room to inventory clerk standard. That means the full kitchen (oven deep clean, all appliances, cupboards inside and out), bathrooms (descaled, mould-free, grout cleaned), all bedrooms, living areas, and hallways. It also includes interior windows, skirting boards, light switches, and areas behind radiators. Anything the clerk can see, touch, or inspect should be cleaned. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 states the property must be returned in the same condition as the start of tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted.
How much should an end of tenancy clean cost?
In London, expect to pay £189-£400+ depending on property size. Studios start around £189, 1-beds from £199, 2-beds from £239, and 3-beds from £299. These prices should include a full agent-standard clean with oven deep cleaning. We’ve written a detailed breakdown of end of tenancy cleaning costs in London with current 2026 prices and what to watch out for in quotes.
How long does end of tenancy cleaning take?
A solo DIY clean takes 6-8 hours for a studio, 8-12 hours for a 2-bed, and 12-16+ hours for a 3-bed property. Professional teams with two or three cleaners cut those times roughly in half. The biggest time sinks are the oven, bathroom descaling, and cleaning inside every cupboard and drawer. Start with the kitchen and budget more time than you think you’ll need.
Can I use eco-friendly products for end of tenancy cleaning?
Absolutely. Plant-based degreasers, biodegradable descalers, and non-toxic sanitisers achieve the same results as chemical alternatives. We use eco-friendly products on every property we clean, including those managed by Savills and Knight Frank, and consistently pass inventory checks. The key is using the right product for the right surface — a plant-based degreaser on oven grease, a citric acid descaler on limescale — rather than one all-purpose spray for everything.
What happens if I miss something and lose part of my deposit?
Your landlord or agent must provide an itemised list of deductions with evidence (usually the inventory clerk’s report). If you disagree, you can raise a dispute through your tenancy deposit scheme. Having photographs of the property after cleaning and a receipt from a professional cleaning company are your strongest forms of evidence. Most disputes are resolved within 28 days.
Last updated: 1 April 2026
