Do you need to deep clean your house before moving out? The end of your tenancy is coming up and it’s time for rental property cleaning!
It’s important to avoid a cleaning dispute in order to get your entire deposit back. Unfortunately, the standard of cleaning isn’t quite as clear as it should be. The Tenancy Deposit Scheme’s research states 56% of deposit disputes are about cleaning.
So, what can we do to help? In this article, you’ll find our rental cleaning list that will guide you through what to buy and the deep cleaning process to help get your deposit back.
How Clean Should My Rental Be at the End of My Tenancy?
The sensible thought is you should leave your rental the same as you found it. You should receive your full deposit back if you ensure there are no changes to the check-in inventory compared to your check-out inventory.
Your landlord has the right to charge you for damage and cleaning costs, and can take this from your deposit. If you don’t receive your deposit within 10 days of the tenancy ending or disagree with your landlord’s additional charges, you can file a claim with your deposit protection scheme.
We recommend taking your own check-out inventory and photos as evidence of any damage or how clean the property was on the day of leaving in case you need to file a claim. Don’t worry about the amount of content or photos – the more proof, the better.
Do I Need to Hire a Professional Cleaner?
Your landlord cannot legally request you hire a professional cleaning service for your rental property cleaning – they can only give you a cleaning standard.
At the end of your tenancy, it is your responsibility to clean the property and your choice whether you choose to clean it yourself or hire a professional cleaner. An end-of-tenancy cleaner ranges from £79 to £199, but this is still not a guarantee you will receive your entire deposit back.
Equipment checklist
Before you start cleaning, you need to purchase some supplies. You may think a sponge and all-purpose cleaner will do the job, but you’ll be surprised at the amount of dirt, grime, and dust accumulated throughout your tenancy. It’s usually in places you don’t think to look or mean to clean but forget.
Here’s all the supplies you need to deep clean your rental property:
- Face mask
- Gloves
- Sponges
- Bottle brush
- Squeegee
- Cloths
- Bucket and mop
- Vacuum
- Broom/dustpan (you won’t need these if your vacuum has attachments or can turn into a smaller vacuum)
- Toilet brush
- Surface-specific cleaner (eg, glass or wood cleaner)
- Oven cleaner
- Limescale remover
- Mould remover
- Powder carpet cleaner
If you’re on a budget or clean your rental on a weekly basis, you may benefit from buying less. Here are some budget cleaning supplies you may already have in your home:
- Sponges
- Paper towels/normal towels
- All-purpose cleaner
- Antibacterial wipes
- Baking soda mixed with water (alternative to all-purpose and limescale cleaners)
- Salt (alternative to scrub brushes for grimy surfaces)
- White vinegar (alternative to mould and stain removers, and glass cleaner)
- Lemon juice (alternative to degreaser)
- Citric acid (alternative to all-purpose cleaner, but not suitable for wood)
Rental Cleaning Checklist
To make it easy for you, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to clean. Ensure you’ve made an inventory of every room and its contents so you can record their condition. Keep a personal inventory or checklist and check off each room as you clean it.
Here’s our rental cleaning list:
Ceilings, Floors and Walls
- Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners
- Mop hard floors
- Steam clean stained carpets (you may need a professional for this)
- Vacuum floors (at the end)
- Wipe:
- Curtains
- Blinds
- Windows and windowsills
- Walls
- Skirting boards
- Switches
- Power sockets and extensions (turn off first and do not clean inside)
- Door handles
- Permanent decorations and ornaments
- Dust:
- Doors
- Curtain rails
- Lights
- Ledges and frames
Bathroom
- Mop and vacuum floor
- Scrub inside toilet to remove limescale
- Apply mould remover:
- Shut all doors and windows
- Leave for two hours
- Open all doors and windows
- Rinse the surface
- You can now use the facilities, but the smell may remain for several days
- Wipe:
- Sink (basins, taps, etc)
- Toilet
- Mirrors
- Railings
- Tiles
- Bath/shower
- Glass separator
- Descale shower head
- Drains (unblock if needed)
- Remove limescale around taps
- Permanent decorations and ornaments
- Extractor fans
Kitchen
- Wipe down vacuum, empty or replace bag (at the end)
- Empty and wipe bins (replace bin liner)
- Remove all items, food, and drink from:
- Countertops
- Cupboards
- Shelves
- Refrigerator
- Wipe:
- Appliances (inside and out)
- Worktops
- Sink (basin, taps, drain – unblock if needed)
- Remove limescale around taps
- Tiles
- Inside oven (degrease and replace oven sheets)
- Outside oven (gas rings, knobs, surface)
- Shelves and inside cupboards (including handles)
- Refrigerator drawers, shelves, and surfaces (inside and out)
- Washing machine (inside and out)
- Dishwasher (inside and out)
- Storage and containers (such as utensil holders)
Living Room and Dining Room
- Wipe:
- Tables
- Chairs
- Shelves
- TV and stand
- Permanent decorations and ornaments
- Fireplace (tools, tiles, remove debris)
- Empty and wipe bin
- Bat cushions outside and vacuum sofa
- Bat rugs outside and vacuum
Bedrooms, Closets and Spare Rooms
- Dust:
- Shelves
- Wardrobes
- Drawers
- Heaters
- Beds
- Side tables
- Wipe
- Mirrors
- Permanent contents
- Racks and railings
- Empty and wipe bin
- Replace security sheet on mattress
Gardens and Balconies
- Sweep, or mop and vacuum balcony floor (depending on the flooring)
- Sweep away leaves and other debris
- Remove weeds
- Trim grass (you may need a professional to do this)
- Wipe ornaments and place neatly
- Wipe metal railings and dust wooden fences
- Empty bins
- Check for loose bricks, slabs, and fencing (report to landlord and put to one side)
Conclusion
Ensure that all the appliances are in good working order. You may lose your deposit if you don’t report any damages or broken items before you leave. If you have caused any damage, ask your landlord if you can fix it yourself, hire a professional, or if their insurance will cover it.
In order to maximise your chances of getting your entire deposit back, it’s also crucial to spend the day cleaning your entire rental. If it seems like a tedious job you don’t have time for, the best thing to do is hire a professional cleaning company. But cleaning a house before moving out isn’t so bad when you have some help (or several playlists).
Our rental cleaning list will guide you through the process to help keep your property in tip-top condition. Start your cleaning journey now and take the first step towards securing your hard-earned money. Contact us today with any queries about our stock or view our previous blog to learn how to disinfect surfaces.
