For landlords, the end of a tenancy is a busy moment. The outgoing tenant leaves, the property needs checking, any deposit issues need resolving, and the home needs to be ready for the next tenant as quickly as possible. Cleaning sits right in the middle of all of it.
This guide covers what landlords need to know. It’s general information for tenancies in England, not legal advice.
Who is responsible for cleaning?
The outgoing tenant is responsible for returning the property in the same condition it was in at the start of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear. However, under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords can’t require tenants to pay for a professional cleaning service as a condition of the tenancy.
If the property is returned dirtier than it was at check-in, you can propose a deduction from the deposit to cover reasonable cleaning costs — as long as you have the evidence to support it.
Why your inventory matters so much
Your check-in inventory is the foundation of everything. Without a detailed record of the property’s condition at the start of the tenancy — ideally with dated photos — it’s very hard to show that it was returned in a worse state.
- Commission a detailed check-in inventory at the start of every tenancy
- Record whether carpets, ovens and appliances were professionally cleaned
- Have the tenant sign or acknowledge it
- Carry out a check-out report against the same inventory
Fair wear and tear
You can’t charge tenants for the natural deterioration that comes with normal living. Lightly worn carpets, minor scuffs and faded paintwork are usually fair wear and tear. Grease, limescale, dirt and stains that weren’t there at check-in are cleaning issues.
Deposit deductions and disputes
Deposits on assured shorthold tenancies must be protected in a government-approved scheme. If the tenant disputes a cleaning deduction, the scheme’s dispute resolution service will look at the evidence — check-in inventory, check-out report, photos, and invoices for any cleaning carried out. Deductions should reflect the reasonable cost of returning the property to its check-in condition, not an upgrade.
Keeping void periods short
Every empty day costs rent. The clean between tenancies is often what holds everything up, so plan it in advance:
- Book the clean as soon as you know the check-out date
- Choose a cleaner who can turn it around in 24–48 hours
- Arrange key collection so you don’t need to be there
- Schedule the new tenant’s check-in inventory after the clean
Read more about void property cleaning.
What the clean should include
Between tenancies, the property should be cleaned to inventory standard: inside the oven, fridge, freezer, washing machine and every cupboard; bathrooms fully descaled; skirting boards, frames, switches and windows throughout. See our room-by-room checklist.
Presenting the property for new tenants
A spotless property photographs better, shows better at viewings and sets clear expectations. Tenants who move into a genuinely clean home are more likely to return it that way — and a clean start is recorded in the new check-in inventory, giving you a strong baseline for the next check-out.
Choosing a cleaning company
- Inventory standard — do they clean to check-out standard, including inside appliances?
- Speed — can they turn jobs around in 24–48 hours?
- Guarantee — will they come back if something is flagged?
- Insurance — do they carry public liability cover?
- Keys — can they collect and return keys?
- Pricing — is it a fixed price per property?
A simple changeover timeline
- 4–6 weeks before: confirm the tenant’s leaving date and book the check-out inventory
- 2–3 weeks before: send the tenant a reminder of what’s expected, with a cleaning checklist
- Leaving day: check-out inventory carried out against the check-in report
- Within 24–48 hours: professional clean completed (keys collected if needed)
- Before the new tenancy: new check-in inventory recorded with dated photos
Common landlord mistakes
- Relying on a vague or photo-free inventory
- Treating fair wear and tear as a cleaning issue
- Booking the clean too late and extending the void period
- Charging deductions without evidence of the actual cost
- Letting a new tenant move into a property that isn’t genuinely clean — then struggling at their check-out
Managing more than one property?
If you have several properties, or you work with a letting agent, we can set up a simple ongoing arrangement so every changeover is handled the same way. Get in touch or see our end of tenancy cleaning service.
Quick answers
Can I require tenants to use my cleaner?
In England, the Tenant Fees Act means you generally can’t require tenants to pay for a professional cleaning service. You can recommend a cleaner, but tenants are free to clean themselves or choose their own.
How quickly can you clean between tenants?
We offer a 24–48 hour turnaround in most cases, and can collect and return keys so you don’t need to be there.
Is the oven included?
Yes — oven cleaning is included as standard in every end of tenancy clean.