The Differences Between End of Tenancy Cleaning and Regular Cleaning
Keeping a property clean is vital for both tenants and homeowners, but not all cleaning services are created equal. End of tenancy cleaning and regular cleaning are two common options that serve different purposes. While their goals may overlap slightly, the scope and execution of these services vary significantly. Let’s explore the distinctions to help you make the best choice, especially if you are uncertain whether or not regular cleaning for a couple of hours will do the trick to get your security deposit back (Spoiler alert - it won't!)
Key Differences Between End of Tenancy Cleaning and Regular Cleaning
| Aspect | End of Tenancy Cleaning | Regular Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Prepares the property for the next tenant | Maintains hygiene for daily living |
| Timing | Done after tenancy ends right before move out | Scheduled routinely weekly or fortnightly |
| Belongings | Performed need to be removed prior to initiation of service | Cleaners work around personal belongings |
| Focus Areas | Adheres to a strict inventory checklist | Flexible, as per client preferences on a per job basis |
| Cost | Around £150-350 per cleaning session, depending on size of property | On average around £13-25 pounds per hour depending on cleaner and requirements |
Overlapping Benefits of Both Services
While the two services differ significantly, they also share some commonalities:
- Thorough Cleaning: Both aim to clean the property comprehensively, tackling hard-to-reach areas.
- Professional Standards: Both rely on trained cleaners equipped with professional tools and products.
- Time Investment: Each service requires several hours to ensure the property is cleaned to a high standard.
How to Save Money as a Tenant
Cleaning can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially for tenants nearing the end of their rental agreements. It’s easy to get confused about which cleaning service suits your needs best: end of tenancy cleaning or one-off deep cleaning. This guide will focus on the key differences, comparisons, and parallels between the two services, helping you make the right choice and save money regardless if you are a tenant at the end of their tenancy or who's looking to refresh their home or a landlord that is looking for a better deal to prepare a newly bought property for the let out market
How to Decide If End of Tenancy or Regular Cleaning Suits Your Needs
- Are You Moving Out?
Choose end of tenancy cleaning. It ensures the property is left in impeccable condition, minimizing the risk of losing any of your deposit. It also helps lift the burden of sorting this annoying part of your move yourself, without certain results. Professional end of tenancy cleaning is definitely worth it when you calculate how much your time is worth and the potential loss of money from your deposit, especially if you're now known for being impeccable with cleaning.
- Need Regular Upkeep?
Opt for regular cleaning to keep your home fresh and organized on an ongoing basis. Regular cleaning is a great choice if you don't like cleaning yourself or you simply don't have the time. London is a busy city and time is of the essence, so you could delegate this housework chore to someone for a reasonable price.
Practical Money-Saving Tips
- Book Early
Reserve your cleaning services ahead of time to secure better rates. This tip applies regardless if you need end of tenancy cleaning or regular cleaning. Scheduling the cleaning sessions ahead of time gives the cleaning companies time to arrange their other work, maximizing their profits from volume and allowing them to offer certain discounts. Most people have a predefined schedul when it comes to regular cleaning, be it weekly or fortnightly. There are even certain apps which allow you to keep track of that on your phone. As for end of tenancy cleaning, the earlier you book the service, the better deal you'll get, especially if you are moving out during the high season which is around July-September.
- Prepare the Space
Declutter beforehand to minimize the time needed for cleaning is definitely going to be helpful, regardless which service that relates to. In case of regular cleaning though, some people feel like that defeats the purpose and they are paying for something that's not worth it. That's not entirely true, as even regular cleaning is normally much more than a touch up and involves dusting, vacuuming, etc. As for end of tenancy cleaning the main difference that decluttering makes is that it helps the cleaning crew do their very best cleaning instead of decluttering themselves. The service is not limited in time by most reputable companies, but that doesn't meen that the cleaners will sit and dwell doing things you should have taken care of yourself, such as removing personal belongings.
- Compare Quotes, Apps and Reviews
When it comes to regular cleaning it's super important to find a very trustworthy cleaner and if possible get the same person over and over again. Convenience is also important so if this cleaner is part of a bigger organization that helps schedule their cleaning appointments with you through an app or a website. You can rely on reviews to find a good cleaner, although reviews don't really show the full picture here as a company could have literally hundreds of cleaners and the one you get might not be the best. When it comes to end of tenancy cleaning reviews are a tad bit more reliable as the end of tenancy cleaning crews aren't as many as regular cleaners as they need to be trained to perform special work. If the cleaning company specializes in end of tenancy cleaning in particular you can expect the reviews to be about this service only. These reviews are also mostly skewed to the negative side, as most people that are happy with the work won't leave a review, while the other way around they'd post a negative review to get a rebate or a refund - a negative trend, but a reality for most cleaning companies.
- Check Policies
Ensure companies offer guarantees, especially for end of tenancy cleaning. Free re-clean guarantee is basically an industry standard at this point, but there is a caveat to it. A lot of companies would offer a re-clean when it's fine for them and when THEY have time for you, which doesn't necessarily align with the tenants move-out date. Check the terms and conditions of the cleaning company you're planning to hire for that. Public liability is also a must have, as if something gets broken you need to be able to get reimburesed quickly and efficiently by someone, as the landlord will surely swiftly deduct money from your deposit. As for regular cleaners and regular cleaning, it's obviously super important to know the person you're allowing in your house. Even though more and more people are investing even in home security cameras that might not save you from being robbed. Big in scale apps and websites are a bit loose with recruitment which often means shady people being allowed to work as cleaners as a low qualification job. Not only that but they've also sorted out the possible problem of being caught by publishing policies that make it illegal to record the cleaners working without their consent.
Cost of The Services and What you can expect to pay
End of tenancy cleaning is generally more expensive due to its comprehensive nature and adherence to strict standards as well as the specialized equipment and cleaning products being used to achieve the results required for a successful checkout. Regular cleaning, with its focus on day-to-day maintenance, is a more budget-friendly choice, but won't do the trick if you need to clean your apartment for a checkout inspection. Regular and fortnightly services are used by thousands of people across London to keep their home tidy.
A Clearer Perspective on End of Tenancy and Regular Cleaning
- Depth of Cleaning
End of tenancy cleaning is exhaustive and detail-oriented, while regular cleaning focuses on maintaining daily tidiness.
To wrap this up and conclude what the differences are
End of tenancy cleaning and regular cleaning serve valuable purposes but they are really on two sides of the cleaning spectrum. End of tenancy cleaning is indispensable for tenants seeking a smooth move-out process and their deposit returned without deductions, while regular cleaning ensures a consistently pleasant living environment while you still ocupy your house or flat. By understanding these distinctions, you can select the service that best aligns with your needs. Generally speaking end of tenancy is only used before you move in or just before you move out while regular and even one-off cleaning are more suitable when you are still living somewhere and want to keep the place fresh for yourself.
For reliable cleaning services regardless of your situation, cleaning tailored to your requirements, get in touch with our expert team. Let us handle the cleaning while you focus on what matters most be it your move to a different place or working and living your best life!
Deni is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in content marketing and vast knowledge in the cleaning business. He specializes in creating engaging content that drives growth and builds brand identity. Passionate about innovation, Deni believes in delivering value through impactful messaging and providing value to readers in a concise and comprehensive manner.
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