Cleaning is responsible for nearly 30% of UK tenancy deposit claims, making it an important consideration for renters approaching the end of a tenancy. To help London tenants prepare for checkout inspections, domestic cleaning company Get It Cleaned has released a room-by-room checklist covering essential tasks and frequently missed areas.
Established in 2013, Get It Cleaned works across London and has put together the guidance to help renters understand the cleaning standards they may be expected to meet when handing back a property. The checklist follows industry figures showing that cleaning remains the most common reason for tenancy deposit claims in the UK.
Data published by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) shows that cleaning made up 29.38% of deposit claims in 2025. It was the leading reason for claims for the fifth consecutive year.
The figure refers specifically to the share of claim reasons attributed to cleaning in the DPS’s 2025 table. A claim means a request for money to be deducted from a deposit, not necessarily a formal dispute. Further information is available in the DPS report, Cleaning main cause of tenancy deposit deductions for a fifth year running, published at https://www.depositprotection.com/news-insights/cleaning-main-cause-of-tenancy-deposit-deductions-for-a-fifth-year-running.
Matt Trevett, Managing Director of The DPS, said: “Less than 5% of all deposits protected by The DPS end in a dispute.”
Tenants do not have to employ a professional cleaning service under the Tenant Fees Act. However, they are still expected to return their rental property in line with the standard recorded at the start of the tenancy, usually documented in the check-in inventory.
For renters in England, there is no legal obligation to pay for professional end-of-tenancy cleaning. The responsibility is to return the property in a condition comparable to its original state, taking fair wear and tear into account. Normal signs of use, including light scuffs, are generally allowed, whereas dirt and grease are not classed as fair wear and tear. The check-in inventory is an important record of the property’s starting condition. Shelter England provides further guidance at https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/what_can_your_landlord_deduct_from_your_deposit/cleaning_gardening_decorating.
Based on common inventory inspection standards, Get It Cleaned has highlighted the areas renters should prioritise before handing over their keys.
Room-by-Room Move-Out Cleaning Priorities
Working through the following tasks can help tenants prepare for the final inspection and avoid overlooking less obvious parts of the property.
Preparation prior to cleaning: Remove belongings from shelves, cupboards, drawers and other surfaces. Empty all rubbish and make sure there is clear access to the areas that need attention.
Kitchen areas to inspect: Pay close attention to grease around the oven, hob and extractor fan. Clean cupboard fronts and interiors where needed, wash the inside of the fridge and freezer, and remove limescale from sinks, taps and worktops. Do not forget the washing machine’s detergent drawer and door seal, which can collect grime and leftover detergent that is easy to miss.
Bathroom sanitisation: Clean and sanitise the toilet, bath and shower enclosure. Treat limescale on glass, fittings and fixtures, then work through the tiles, grout, mirrors and floor. Check less visible areas, including the shower drain, the seal joining the screen to the tray and the floor behind the toilet pedestal.
Living spaces & bedrooms: Remove dust from furniture and other surfaces, as well as light switches, skirting boards, door frames and window sills. Sweep first, then vacuum or mop the floors. Window tracks should also be cleaned, as dirt and dust can remain in their channels after the sill itself has been wiped.
Carpets & furnishings: Look over carpets and soft furnishings for marks, ingrained dirt and unpleasant smells. Where stains are difficult to remove or wear is particularly heavy, consider specialist cleaning methods such as hot water extraction.
A final walk-through: Take away all remaining waste and check every room in natural daylight. Photograph the rooms to keep a record of their condition for yourself and the landlord or agent. Take meter readings and organise the keys for return.
Practical Guidance for Busy Handovers
“The cleaning mistakes we see most often are the ones you miss on a quick look around. You wipe the oven glass and leave the racks, trays, and back panel greasy. You vacuum the middle of the room and miss the edges, the space under the bed, and the area behind the sofa. You clean the sink and leave food in the fridge seal and crumbs in the cutlery drawer. Inventory clerks photograph those spots. When they are dirty, a cleaning claim is hard to defend.”
Nathaniel Jamesson, Coordinator at Get It Cleaned.
Moving Out Cleaning Services in London
Covering Greater London postcodes, Get It Cleaned offers full end-of-tenancy cleaning for tenants preparing to leave their rental properties. The company also provides additional specialist treatments, including carpet steam extraction, upholstery care and dip-tank oven degreasing.
Tenants who need help getting their property ready for handover can visit the Get It Cleaned end-of-tenancy cleaning service page (https://getitcleaned.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-in-london/) to find out more and check availability using the online portal.
