Why it happens
Deductions almost always trace back to a mismatch between the check-out report and the check-in inventory: an oven that was clean at check-in and greasy at check-out, limescale that was not there before, or carpets marked since.
What to do about it
Work to the inventory, not to your own judgement of clean.
- Get a copy of the check-in inventory and its photographs first
- Clean to that document room by room, not to a generic checklist
- Give the oven, extractor and fridge seals the most time — they cause the most disputes
- Descale sanitaryware, shower screens and taps properly rather than wiping them
- Photograph every room after cleaning, with the date visible in the file metadata
- Book any professional work before the check-out appointment, not after
The mistake to avoid
Do not leave it to the morning of check-out. If the clerk flags something you have no time left to fix it, and the deduction gets made at the agent's contractor rates.
How we handle it
Our end of tenancy cleans are built around the inventory checklist letting agents and landlords actually use. We work top-to-bottom, room-by-room, so the property is handed over in re-let condition — every appliance degreased, every skirting wiped, every carpet vacuumed.
- Alkaline degreasers on ovens and extractors
- Acid limescale removers on sanitaryware
- Steam on grout and silicone
- Neutral pH on wood and laminate
- HEPA vacuums for skirtings and radiator backs
The service behind this guide
Deposit-back guaranteed sparkle for landlords, agents & tenants.
See End of Tenancy Cleaning