End of Tenancy Cleaning Cost: What Affects the Price

If you are moving out of a rented home, the clean you leave behind matters. It is often the last thing standing between you and your full deposit. The question most tenants ask first is how much it will cost, and the honest answer is that it depends on a handful of things you can check before you ask for a quote.

This guide explains what drives the price of an end of tenancy clean, what a good quote should include, and how to compare quotes without being surprised on the day.

What is an end of tenancy clean?

An end of tenancy clean, sometimes called a deep clean or a move-out clean, is a thorough clean of the whole property at the end of a tenancy. It goes well beyond a weekly tidy. The aim is to return the home in the condition you received it, allowing for fair wear and tear.

Landlords and letting agents usually compare the property against the inventory or check-in report from the start of the tenancy, so the standard they expect is higher than everyday cleaning.

What affects the price

Cleaning companies price jobs differently, but the same factors come up again and again.

• Size of the property. A studio takes far less time than a four-bedroom house. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms is the first thing any company will ask.
• Condition of the property. A home that has been kept clean is quicker than one with built-up grease, limescale or stains. Be honest about the state of the oven, bathroom and carpets.
• Furnished or unfurnished. Cleaning around furniture takes longer than cleaning an empty property.
• Extras. Carpet cleaning, oven cleaning, inside windows, balconies and garages are often priced separately.
• Timing. The end of the month and the start of term are busy, so you may have fewer choices and less room to negotiate on those dates.
• Location. Prices vary between areas, which is another reason to compare more than one quote.

What a quote should include

A clear quote tells you exactly what is covered so that you can compare like with like. Look for:

• Kitchen cleaning, including inside the oven, hob, extractor, fridge and cupboards.
• Bathroom cleaning, including limescale, tiles, grout, toilet and fittings.
• Floors, skirting boards, doors, door frames and light switches.
• Inside windows and window sills.
• Whether carpet cleaning is included or an extra.
• Whether the company brings its own equipment and products.

If a quote is much lower than the others, check what it leaves out before you decide it is a bargain.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Is the price fixed, or does it change on the day?
2. How long will the clean take and how many people will be there?
3. Is there a re-clean if the landlord or agent is not satisfied? Ask how long you have to report a problem and what the company will do about it.
4. Do they follow a checklist, and can you see it?
5. Are they insured?

A company that answers these clearly is easier to rely on than one that avoids them.

How to get your deposit back

A professional clean helps, but it does not replace a few simple steps from you.

• Read your inventory. Check the check-in report so that you know what condition the property should be returned in.
• Take photos of every room once the clean is finished, with the date on them.
• Fix small things such as marks on walls and blown bulbs before you hand back the keys.
• Know your rights. Your deposit should be held in a protection scheme, and any deductions should be reasonable and explained. If you disagree, the scheme has a dispute process.

Fair wear and tear, such as light marks on carpets from normal use, is not usually something a landlord can charge you for. Damage and dirt beyond that can be.

Getting quotes

The simplest way to find a fair price is to ask several companies to quote for exactly the same job. Tell them the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether the property is furnished, what extras you want and when you are leaving.

You can get free cleaning quotes through Ecoplus. Tell us about the property once and you receive quotes to compare from verified companies, and you can read more about our cleaning services. If you are also arranging a move, our moving house checklist covers the cleaning and key hand-back in the order they should happen.

For more detail on what a deep clean covers, see our end of tenancy cleaning checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to hire a professional cleaner?

Not necessarily. Check what your tenancy agreement says about cleaning when you leave, and ask your letting agent or landlord what standard they expect. Many tenants choose a professional clean because it is thorough and comes with a receipt, but cleaning it yourself is also an option if you do it to the same standard.

How long does an end of tenancy clean take?

It depends on the size and condition of the property. A company should be able to tell you roughly how long the job will take and how many people will be there, so ask when you request the quote.

Should I be at the property during the clean?

It helps to be there at the start to point out problem areas and at the end to check the result and hand over the keys. Ask the company what it prefers and agree how it will get access.

When should I book?

As soon as you know your move-out date. The end of the month and the start of term are busy, so earlier booking gives you more choice.