End of Tenancy Cleaning Regulations and Standards in London The Ultimate Tenant’s Guide
Rosey K.
Posted on 20 October 2024
End of Tenancy Cleaning Regulations and Standards in London: A Tenant’s Guide
Moving out of a rental property can be a stressful time, particularly when it comes to the end of tenancy cleaning. In London, tenants are expected to return the property in the same condition as when they moved in, excluding fair wear and tear. Failure to meet these standards could result in disputes over your deposit. This guide provides all the information you need about end of tenancy cleaning regulations and standards in London to help you secure your deposit and leave the property in good standing.
Why Is End of Tenancy Cleaning Important?
End of tenancy cleaning is a critical part of the rental process in London and of course other parts of the UK for several reasons:
Deposit Return: Under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), landlords are legally required to protect tenants' deposits. However, if the property isn’t left and returned to the landlord in an acceptable state, landlords can make deductions for cleaning expenses, repairs and a few other things that are usually in the tenancy agreement upon signing the lease.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that you meet the standards specified in your tenancy agreement helps avoid disputes and not only that it ensures you have a peace of mind when the time to move eventually comes. These last few years a ton of people left London and moved elsewhere for financial reasons, while hundreds of thousands of newcomers came to the city. London has always been a bustling megapolis so there will never be a shortage of tenants and the more educated they are on their rights, the better.
New Tenant Preparation: Cleaning the property thoroughly makes it suitable for the next tenant, ensuring a quick transition for the landlord. This obviously works both ways and if all tenants and landlords had ideal relationships, you can expect a great looking flat or house wherever you go. If all tenants and all landlords were following the rules set by the government and different NGOs, the process of finding and the timelines for it would be much improved.
A professional approach to end of tenancy cleaning is not only about aesthetics; it’s a legal requirement for many tenants aiming to secure their deposit and more and more people realize that. People that have been living in London for over 5 years know that very well and everyone living in the city eventually finds this out one way or another. Most people learn it the hard way when a deduction of their security deposit happens for a silly reason such as not having the property professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
What Are the Regulations for End of Tenancy Cleaning in London?
Inventory Report and Check-In:
Before moving into a rental property, an inventory check is typically conducted. Sometimes it's a certified company and in other times it's the landlord that does it. Either way, if both parties sign such a checklist it can be considered a binding contract. This type of report details the condition of the property, including cleanliness, so take a good hard look at the state of the property when you move it. It's very important to make sure you take pictures as well.
Upon vacating, a check-out report is conducted to compare the state of the property against the initial inventory. At this point in time make sure you compare the pictures you had and made initially. This is why you made them after all. They can help you make your case against the landlord if any disputes arrise about the discrepancies in the condition you got and the one you are leaving the property at.
It’s crucial that the tenant reviews the check-in report to understand the expectations regarding cleanliness. We do not really encourage recording your landlord when making any agreements, but if it's a company or a certified person that does the check-in, it's a good practice to do it, as people often claim things that didn't happen occur, especially if it hurts their financial interests.
Deposit Protection and Dispute Resolution:
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), MyDeposits, and Deposit Protection Service (DPS) are responsible for protecting tenants' deposits. These schemes mediate disputes between tenants and landlords and you can always resort to their help in case of a dispute. Make sure you do your due dilligence during the signing of the lease though as a good preparation will help you avoid a ton of headaches later on and it will help with making your claim with the above mentioned schemes and companies.
According to a survey by TDS, 56% of disputes between tenants and landlords in London arise due to insufficient cleaning. Although cleanliness is a relatively subjective matter having an invoice and a checkout report for the cleaning by a reputable and well respected company will always help. It's definitely much better to have that against your word that "you did your best" with your own vacuum cleaner that you got second hand a couple of years ago.
To avoid losing part of the deposit, tenants should ensure that the property meets the cleanliness standard outlined in the tenancy agreement however harsh or demanding they are. Again - the UK is a country where you can still count on the court of law, so a well documented agreement is usually the best thing you can relay on.
Professional Cleaning Clauses:
Many tenancy agreements in London include clauses requiring professional cleaning services when vacating. While legally, landlords cannot enforce this unless it is explicitly stated, most tenants find it beneficial to comply.
A professional clean typically involves deep-cleaning carpets, ovens, windows, and other often-neglected high traffic areas.
"Professional cleaning is the number one cause of deposit disputes. Tenants should read their contracts carefully and understand their obligations to minimize disagreements." — London Tenancy Dispute Mediator
End of Tenancy Cleaning Standards: What Is Expected?
To meet London’s tenancy cleaning standards, tenants should pay attention to specific areas of the property:
General Living Areas:
Dusting and wiping down all surfaces, including shelves, skirting boards, and furniture is on almost all professional companies' checklist for obvious reasons.
Clean windows, window sills, and blinds. Again another no-brainer that people often neglect.
Vacuum and mop floors to remove stains, dirt, and dust. In some instances professional carpet cleaning is required and a general hovering of the carpets would not suffice. This can easily be determined by most cleaning companies when you send them a couple of pictures of your property.
Kitchen:
Deep clean the oven, hob, and extractor fan. Ovens are one of the most frequently if not THE most checked appliances during the check-out process. The reason is that grease accumulates there and it's super easy to find out whether or not they've been cleaned with a simple swipe a finger. If it's greasy, you're cooked, pun intended. We have a thorough guide on how to clean your kitchen as well.
Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer, ensuring they are empty and switched off. Keeping them open especially if you've moved out quote a long time before the checkout inspection will ensure the fridge/freezer doesn't start to smell.
Clean cupboards, countertops, sinks, and taps to remove grease and stains. Bonus points if you've ensured the taps are descaled. It may not be included in the requirements for the cleaning standards, but a descaled metal fixture just looks way better and will show you tried at the very least.
Bathroom:
Scrub and sanitize toilets, showers, bathtubs, sinks, and tiles. No one would appreciate finding hair or other unpleasant things after you, especially new tenants.
Remove limescale from taps, showerheads, and other fixtures. We've covered that one already, but it's worth mentioning it twice.
Clean mirrors and polish all surfaces.
Bedrooms:
Clean wardrobes, drawers, and any other storage spaces.
Vacuum or steam clean carpets to remove stains and odors.
Dust and wipe down all surfaces.
Outdoor Areas (if applicable):
Sweep and tidy up gardens, balconies, or patios.
Remove any rubbish or personal items left outside.
Checklist for Tenants:
Ensure all appliances are spotless (e.g., oven, microwave, washing machine, fridges, freezers, etc).
Dispose of all rubbish and unwanted items.
Leave the property in a neutral smell (avoid overpowering scents).
Professional vs. DIY Cleaning: Which Is Better?
Professional Cleaning Services:
Pros:
In most cases it's a guarantee for a thorough clean, often accompanied by a checklist aligned with industry standards that have been set for quite a while and have been discussed and agreed upon with real estate agencies and landlord organizations.
Saves time and effort, particularly for larger properties. If you can afford to save yourself the elbow grease, why not pass that work to someone that does it for a living?
Some professional services offer guarantees, ensuring the landlord approves the cleaning or you receive your money back. Other companies offer guarantees for a free re-clean of problematic areas, etc. Make sure you read the fine print, as in some instances the guarantees might be misleading or their conditions might not suit your specific requirements and needs.
Cons:
Costly, especially in London where the average price for end of tenancy cleaning ranges from £150 to £450 depending on the property size.
There are quite a few companies out there that offer sub par services that lack in quality and sifting through them is hard work. Check on sites like TrustPilot, Google or Yell for reviews. Checkatrade is also an okay website to do a cross reference. In order to ensure you don't waste your money, make sure you do your due dilligence and never opt in for the cheapest option available. It usually costs you more in the long run.
DIY Cleaning:
Pros:
Cost-effective and flexible, you can set your own schedule.
Allows tenants to focus on areas they know need extra attention. After all you were the one that lived there and know which parts of the property were the ones that got the most use and least cleaning love.
Cons:
Requires significant time and effort.
Might require investing in cleaning products or machines that you do not have.
Risk of missing key areas, potentially leading to disputes and losing part of your security deposit.
Tip: If opting for DIY, make sure to follow a detailed checklist to ensure no area is missed.
How to Choose a Professional End of Tenancy Cleaning Service in London
If you decide to hire a professional service, here are some factors to consider:
Experience and Reviews: Look for companies with positive customer feedback and extensive experience in tenancy cleaning. Trustpilot, Checkatrade and Google Local are a few options to check.
Accreditation: Reputable companies should have certifications or affiliations with professional cleaning bodies. Certificates from agencies like NCCA,
BICS and others.Checklist Alignment: Ensure the company’s cleaning checklist matches the expectations outlined in your tenancy agreement. That could be a bit tricky as different estate agents might have different requirements and not all cleaning companies will provide you with a detailed breakdown of what their end of tenancy cleaning checklist looks like.
Guarantees: Some companies offer deposit-back guarantees, ensuring that if the landlord is not satisfied, they will re-clean the property free of charge. Again, doublecheck the fine print and ensure the guarantee works best for you and your interest.
Quote: "Hiring a professional service can provide peace of mind. Make sure the company offers a thorough checklist and guarantees satisfaction. If they are not willing to share their checklist, avoid them as it's most likely not comprehensive or thorough enough." — Professional End of Tenancy Cleaning Expert, London
Top Tips for Ensuring a Successful End of Tenancy Clean
Plan Ahead: Don’t leave cleaning until the last minute. Start planning a week before moving out to address any stubborn stains or overlooked areas. During the summer months, cleaning companies experience a surge in demand so if you put off finding the cleaning company for the job for far too long, you might not find a suitable one at all and that will result in financial loss on your part.
Gather Documentation:
Take pictures before and after cleaning to provide evidence in case of disputes as well as before moving in and before the inspection begings.
Keep receipts if you hire a professional service, as this can help support your case in a dispute. Ensure you ask for the receipt or invoice right at the beginning of the job, to ensure you have it on you when the checkout happens.
Communicate with the Landlord: Notify the landlord in advance about your cleaning plans and clarify expectations.
Final Thoughts
End of tenancy cleaning is an essential part of renting a property in London. To secure your deposit and maintain a good relationship with your landlord, it is crucial to meet the cleaning standards set out in your tenancy agreement. Whether you choose to clean yourself or hire professionals, planning and thoroughness are key. Remember, a clean property not only secures your deposit but also ensures a smooth transition for the next tenant. You wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of an unpleasantly looking property, especially if it's price and location work for you.
