End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist UK (Deposit Back Edition)

Why this list matters

Most UK deposit disputes come down to one word: cleanliness. The list below is built around what letting agent inventory clerks actually inspect not what a quick weekly clean covers.

Kitchen (the deposit decider)

The kitchen is where most deposit deductions happen. Every surface, every appliance, every cupboard inside and out.

• Oven, hob and extractor degreased to factory finish
• Fridge and freezer defrosted, cleaned, left switched off
• Washing machine drawer, seal and filter cleaned
• Kitchen cupboards inside and out, drawers cleared
• Sink, drainer and taps descaled
• Tiles, splashbacks and grout cleaned
• Worktops and skirtings polished

Bathrooms and en suites

Limescale is the second biggest deposit killer. Bring proper limescale remover, not bathroom spray.

• Bath, shower screen and tray descaled
• Toilet bowl, seat, cistern and base cleaned
• Tile grout scrubbed (mould treated)
• Extractor fan dust removed
• Mirror, glass and chrome polished

Bedrooms, living rooms and hallways

Inspections focus on inside the wardrobes, behind the doors, the skirtings and the windows. Don't skip any of those.

• Inside of all wardrobes, drawers and storage
• Skirting boards, door frames, light switches, sockets
• Internal windows, sills and frames
• Carpets vacuumed (steam cleaned if heavily soiled)
• Hard floors mopped and sanitised

When to call a professional

If you're short on time, the property is larger than a 2 bed, or the kitchen has heavy oven build up, a professional end of tenancy clean costs less than what you'll lose from your deposit. Dimond Movers LTD offers end of tenancy cleaning across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Greater London.