How much does an end of tenancy clean cost? [October 2024]

What is professional end of tenancy cleaning?

An end of tenancy clean is a specialist service, which aims to return your home to its original state of cleanliness.

It’s designed to thoroughly clean your flat or house before you hand over the keys, so it’s ready for the new tenants to move in. A high quality end of tenancy clean will ensure you get your security deposit back in full. It typically includes deep cleaning all rooms, including inside cupboards and appliances such as your washing machine and dishwasher. 

This means you’ll find this service is more expensive than a regular or deep cleaning you may have booked before. 

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How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost? 

 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much an end of tenancy costs, as this depends on several factors. Typically, the cost of this service falls between £150 and £490 including VAT.

The biggest factor that affects cost is the size of the property. This is usually measured in terms of the number of rooms, rather than square footage. 

Here’s a breakdown of how much you would expect to pay for an end of tenancy clean depending on the size of your flat/house and whether you live in or outside of London. 
 

What other factors impact the cost of an end of tenancy clean? 

 

Several other factors will affect the cost of your end of tenancy clean, including when you book, where you live, who you book with, and whether you require any additional services. 

1. When you book

You’ll typically be charged more for a same-day or even next-day service. You may also find that some end of tenancy cleaning services charge a little more during unsociable hours - such as at the weekends, bank holidays, and during early morning slots or in the evenings.

2. Where you live 

It’s likely you’ll pay 20%-30% more for a professional end of tenancy cleaning service in London compared to other regions. If you're outside of London, then you'll likely see the cost of an end of tenancy cleaning service top out at around £400.

3. Whether you need any additional services 

Most services offer additional tasks that you can add to your end of tenancy clean which will vary the price further. These often include carpet and upholstery cleaning, as well as outdoor areas such as balconies and terraces.

4. Whether you book with an independent cleaner or a well-established company

 

You’ll normally pay a premium when booking with larger well-established cleaning companies over independent cleaners or small agencies.

However, booking with well-known companies often comes with several advantages such as access to a customer service team, quick and efficient solutions if anything goes wrong, plus access to cover cleaners in the case of unforeseen absences on the day.  

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What’s included in a professional end of tenancy clean?

 

An end of tenancy clean includes cleaning pretty much everything. We've worked with the UK's leading estate agents, and work to an agency-approved checklist for all end of tenancy cleans.

Our end of tenancy cleaning service includes the following tasks as standard:

• Dusting and wiping of all surfaces
• Deep oven cleaning
• Cleaning of the dishwasher and washing machine
• Wiping inside and outside of cupboards
• Fridge & freezer cleaning
• Inside windows
• Deep cleaning of kitchen and bathrooms, including descaling
• Vacuuming of all upholstery and flooring
• Cleaning underneath furniture - Mopping all hard flooring

You can also add on any of the additional tasks below:

•  Antiviral sanitisation  
•  Carpet & upholstery cleaning 
•  Outside areas, including balconies, decking & terraces

If you have any bespoke requests, you can let us know when requesting a quote and we’ll make sure that’s factored in.

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Do I need to get my carpets and upholstery cleaned?

 

Carpet and upholstery cleaning usually isn’t included in a professional end of tenancy cleaning as standard but most companies will offer this as an additional service. 

Deciding whether to include a carpet clean as part of your end of tenancy service depends entirely on their condition. A thorough clean elsewhere can be overshadowed by stained and smelly carpets. This is especially important if you have pets, as a professional carpet clean may be necessary to remove ingrained hair and odours. 

However, if your carpets are simply showing just wear and tear, and are generally in good shape, a vacuum may be all that’s needed. You can check out our carpet cleaning cost guide for more information.

If you're leaving behind upholstery items such as your sofa, curtians, blinds and mattress for the next tenants, you should also check whether these need a spruce up. 

 

 

How should I prepare for my end of tenancy clean? 

Most end of tenancy cleaning companies will require that your property is empty of all personal belongings before the clean can go ahead. Only items that are to be passed onto the new tenants, such as furniture, should be left in the property. This allows the team to get into all the nooks and crannies, without any items in your cupboards and drawers getting in the way.

Packing away everything can feel overwhelming, but many find decluttering beforehand makes the process much smoother. By getting rid of unwanted items, you reduce the number of things you need to pack, which can even save you money on removal costs^[1].

A great option for clearing out unwanted belongings, like furniture and appliances, is to hire a professional waste removal service. At Housekeep, we offer a range of waste removal services to ensure an easy collection and a responsible disposal. 

If you need a handyman in to complete any miror repairs, organise this before your end of tenancy clean. The same applies if you're organising any plumbing or electrical repairs before you move out. 

 

 

 

Do I legally need to get a professional end of tenancy clean?

As a tenant, it’s your responsibility to restore the property to the same level of cleanliness as it was when you moved in. Failing to do so could result in losing a large portion of your deposit. In fact, according to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, cleaning is the main cause of deposit disputes across the UK, accounting for 56% of all cases^[2].

This will be accessed by comparing your inventory list to your check-out report, taking into account reasonable wear and tear. For example, chipped paint, wear on your sofa, and minor scuffs might be considered fair levels of wear. However, dirt and larger damages that weren’t present at the start of your tenancy may result in deductions from your deposit. 

As per the Tenant Fees Act 2019^[3], landlords can no longer legally require tenants to pay for a professional end of tenancy cleaning service. As long as the property is returned to the same standard of cleanliness as when you moved in, it doesn’t matter how you achieve this.

 

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Can I do an end of tenancy clean myself?

While completing an end of tenancy clean yourself is certainly doable, many find it’s more cost-effective and time-efficient to let a professional end of tenancy service handle it. And it's one less thing to worry about. Moving is stressful enough without having to scrub your washing machine seal spotless amid all the chaos.

You’ll need to set aside at least a full day to get the job done and dusted. Plus, you’ll probably need to research on how to tackle tougher tasks, such as limescale removal, before the big day. 

End of tenancy cleaning is a much more thorough clean than your regular everyday cleaning, so you’ll need to invest in some quality products and equipment, which can quickly become costly. 
  

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What’s the benefit of getting a professional end of tenancy clean?

 

Professional teams, made up of on average 2-3 experienced cleaners, will come equipped with specialist tools and products. Most services will stay till the job is done, and also guarantee their work for around 72 hours, offering a free re-clean if you fail your property inspection due to cleaning issues.

Plus, if anything were to go wrong, professional services typically have a responsive customer service team to offer support on the day. 

 

 

Where can I get a quote for professional end of tenancy cleaning? 

There are many ways to find an end of tenancy cleaning service, including online, through social media, or a recommendation from family and friends.

If you're searching for a professional end of tenancy cleaning service, you can get an insant quote through the Housekeep website. 

Just enter your postcode and a few details about your property, and we’ll generate an instant quote for your end of tenancy clean.

Have bespoke requirements? No problem, just let us know when requesting a quote.

 

 

Written by Henry Paterson

With years of experience in the industry, Henry is one of Housekeep’s home services specialists. He’s delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.