Cleaning is one of the most common reasons landlords make deductions from a tenancy deposit. The good news is it’s also one of the most avoidable. Here’s how to give yourself the best chance of getting every penny back.
1. Start with your check-in inventory
Your check-in inventory is the benchmark. At the end of your tenancy, the property will be compared against it. If the oven was spotless when you moved in, it needs to be spotless when you leave. If the carpets were stained at check-in, you shouldn’t be charged for those same stains.
Find your copy (check your emails from the letting agent) and go through it room by room before you start cleaning.
2. Understand “fair wear and tear”
Landlords can’t charge you for the normal deterioration that comes from everyday living — lightly worn carpets, faded paintwork, minor scuffs. But dirt isn’t wear and tear. Grease on the hob, limescale in the shower and dust on the skirting boards are cleaning issues, and they can be deducted for if they weren’t there at check-in.
3. Know where deductions usually come from
From our experience, these are the areas that get flagged most often:
- Ovens and hobs — baked-on grease is the number one issue
- Limescale — taps, showerheads, screens and toilets, especially in hard-water areas like Surrey and Sussex
- Inside cupboards and drawers — crumbs and sticky marks are easy to forget
- Fridges and freezers — including seals and drawers
- Skirting boards, door frames and light switches
- Carpets — if they were professionally cleaned at check-in
4. Leave enough time
A thorough end of tenancy clean on a two-bedroom flat can take a full day, and that’s for someone with professional equipment and products. Trying to do it the evening before you hand back the keys, while also moving, is where things get missed. Book early or plan a clear day.
5. Take your own photos
Once the property is clean and empty, take dated photos of every room, including inside the oven, fridge and cupboards. If there’s a dispute later, your photos alongside the inventory are your evidence.
6. If there’s a dispute
In England, deposits on assured shorthold tenancies must be protected in a government-approved scheme. If you disagree with a deduction, the scheme offers a free dispute resolution service. The landlord needs to show evidence that the property was returned in a worse condition than at check-in, beyond fair wear and tear — which is exactly why a thorough clean and good photos matter.
Should you use a professional cleaner?
You don’t have to. But a professional clean to inventory standard gives you the strongest possible position, saves a stressful day during your move, and — with Nestro — comes with a 48-hour re-clean guarantee. If your agent flags anything, we come back and fix it free of charge.
7. Don’t forget the non-cleaning items
Cleaning is only part of the check-out. Make sure you’ve also:
- Removed all belongings, including from lofts, sheds and garages
- Taken all rubbish away (don’t leave extra bags by the bins)
- Replaced any blown light bulbs if your tenancy requires it
- Returned every set of keys, fobs and permits
- Taken final meter readings and photos of the meters
- Left the property secure, with windows closed and locked
A simple moving-out timeline
- 4 weeks before: find your check-in inventory and read your tenancy agreement’s end-of-tenancy section
- 2–3 weeks before: book your clean (and carpet cleaning if needed)
- Moving day: move everything out
- Cleaning day: the day after moving out, or the morning of check-out
- After the clean: take dated photos of every room
- Check-out: attend if you can, and ask for a copy of the report
Common myths
- “The landlord can keep my deposit for anything.” Deductions need to be justified and supported by evidence, and you can dispute them through the deposit scheme.
- “I have to use the agent’s recommended cleaner.” You don’t. You can clean yourself or use any cleaner you choose.
- “If it looks clean, it’s clean.” Inventory clerks check inside appliances and cupboards, not just surfaces.
See our end of tenancy cleaning prices or get a fixed quote today.
Quick answers
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
Once you and your landlord agree on the amount, the deposit scheme rules set out how quickly it should be returned. Check your scheme’s guidance for the exact timescales.
Can I be charged for the cost of a professional clean?
A landlord can propose a deduction for reasonable cleaning costs if the property wasn’t returned as clean as it was at check-in, beyond fair wear and tear. They can’t require you to use a professional cleaner as a condition of your tenancy.
What if my check-in inventory was never done?
Without a check-in inventory, it’s much harder for a landlord to prove the property was returned in a worse condition. Still clean thoroughly and take photos, though — it’s the simplest way to avoid any dispute.