The end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist every landlord should send tenants
A 23-point checklist that covers every corner inventory clerks actually inspect — and what tenants should clean themselves to avoid deposit deductions.
End-of-tenancy disputes cost UK tenants and landlords millions each year in deposit deductions. The vast majority are avoidable with one document: a room-by-room cleaning checklist shared the day the tenancy ends.
The kitchen — 7 items
- Oven interior — including the roof, racks, and the glass door. Rental ovens get caked; an hour of soak-time with degreaser + a scraper is the minimum.
- Extractor filters — usually removable; soak in hot soapy water. If they're non-removable, degrease and rinse.
- Fridge interior — including the rubber seal, which catches mould.
- Dishwasher interior — run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet before inspection.
- Sink + taps + drainer — limescale-free; no tea stains in the sink.
- Tile splashback — wipe down, degrease above the hob where it goes unnoticed.
- Cupboard interiors — empty, wipe down, dry. Crumbs and sticky residues are the most common complaint.
The bathroom — 6 items
- Toilet — inside bowl, under rim, seat hinges, exterior.
- Shower screen / curtain — limescale-free, no soap scum.
- Tile grout — the dark patches between tiles are where mould takes hold. A bleach-based spray works.
- Mirror — streak-free.
- Extractor fan grill — pull it down, dust, replace. Often the single most-grimy item.
- Plugholes + overflows — run hot water for 30 seconds.
Living areas + bedrooms — 5 items
- Skirting boards — often missed.
- Light switches + door handles — fingerprints, grease, and the easiest 10 minutes in the entire job.
- Window sills + tracks — interior AND exterior; tracks collect leaves and dead insects.
- Radiators — behind the radiator is usually dusty; use a long flexible duster or pull the radiator forward (turn off first).
- Carpets — a quick hoover is the minimum; for furnished lets, a hot-water extraction is standard.
How to actually get it done
Most tenants do this themselves over a weekend. For furnished lets or large properties (3+ bed), the cost of a professional end-of-tenancy clean — usually £150–£300 — is significantly less than the average deposit deduction of £312. If the property has been lived in for 2+ years without a deep clean, don't do it yourself: hire a specialist. The inventory clerk's standards are not the same as yours.
We do end-of-tenancy cleans for landlords and tenants across the UK — from a 1-bed flat upwards, fully guaranteed to pass the inventory. See the full end-of-tenancy service or get a quote in 60 seconds.