How Long Does an End of Tenancy Clean Take and How to Prepare

A lot of tenancy agreements in the UK include a clause for end of tenancy cleaning. While everyone understands that cleaning is involved in the procedure, many are unsure about the specifics. This is a type of cleaning performed on a rental property towards the end of the agreement before the tenant moves out. This is not just a normal form of cleaning, but a very thorough and involved one. It deals with every aspect of the property - floors, walls, furniture, every surface in rooms, etc. The goal of an end of tenancy cleaning session is to guarantee the property is returned in a pristine state.

The reason why many tenants resort to cleaning services lies in the fact that they need to leave the property in the same state it was when they first moved in. The level of cleanliness plays an important role in getting the security deposit refund.

Even if the landlord has not included the clause in the tenancy contract, it is widely accepted that tenants should hire a professional cleaning company in London to carry out this important job. If tenants don't return the property in the condition it was, they risk losing part or all of their security deposit money. Whether it is an apartment, a house or another type of property to rent, a professional company can take care of the task.

We are a cleaning company with experience in end of tenancy cleaning and also provide move-in cleaning service for a new home. Our clients can count on us for this important task at all times. We'll cover all aspects of the job, and even offer a free re-clean within 120 hours if expectations are not met. You can take a look at our Google Reviews and read from our satisfied clients.

Can I do end of tenancy cleaning myself?

Sometimes tenants do not have to arrange professional end of tenancy cleaning, if that is not explicitly outlined in their lease agreement. However, the property still needs to be cleaned to great detail, regardless of a professional service being involved. A DIY approach is possible, although most people would argue against it. If you have decided to go that road, you need to consider the following:

• You need to have good cleaning skills - if you want to reduce the chance your landlord will dispute the cleanliness of the property, you have to be on the same level as professional cleaners. Your security deposit will depend on it. There is no way to botch the cleaning aspect of the job and expect a good outcome. This is the reason why many people prefer to let professionals take care of everything.
• You need to have cleaning equipment - end of tenancy cleaning service providers follow an end of tenancy cleaning checklist of tasks, which require certain cleaning equipment. For example, you will not just have to vacuum the carpets, but steam clean them, which you might not have. The same goes for cleaning products for stains, dealing with dust, and generally leaving the property spotless. Without the necessary equipment, you cannot do complete cleaning to the required standard.

Obviously, these are major requirements you'll need to satisfy if you want your deposit back. It is also why you may want to give professional cleaners a call instead.

What is included in an end of tenancy cleaning?

A professional end of tenancy cleaning session follows a specific and extensive inventory checklist. Here is what such a list may include, but is not limited to:

• Vacuuming and steam cleaning carpets and rugs
• Mopping the floors and tiles
• Removing cobwebs from corners, skirting boards and ceiling
• Cleaning the windows, doors and handles
• Dusting surfaces around the house, such as tables and sideboards, as well as polishing them
• Cleaning and polishing water fittings, such as taps and showers
• Disinfecting the toilet and bathroom
• Cleaning mould from walls and tiles
• Wiping down the kitchen cabinets/countertops
• Cleaning big and small appliances around the house
• Dusting surfaces around the house, including inside cupboards, wardrobes and cabinets
• Sweeping of the outside areas and tidying up

The goal of professional cleaners is to guarantee there is no grime, dust, dirt, pet hair, limescale, grease and stains in rooms around the property.

How long should an end of tenancy clean take?

Depending on the size of the property, end of tenancy cleaning usually takes between 2 and 4 hours. Of course, there are certain factors at play that can alter this time. For example, if there are a lot of furniture items around, the cleaners will take longer to navigate around them.

If the place is in a state of disrepair, this will also increase the cleaning time. It is almost impossible for specialists to determine the exact duration of the cleaning process. For this reason, it is best to consult with the cleaning company and have them schedule a free consultation.

How do I prepare for an end of tenancy clean?

When you're moving out and it's time for the end of tenancy clean to be done professionally, there are some things you can do to ease the process.

• Declutter - for every situation that requires a lot of cleaning, decluttering the place first is very useful. Start by moving your belongings as much as possible from every room. This will allow extra space for the cleaners to do their job and minimise the time it would take them.
• Research your options - if you are going the route of DIY end of tenancy cleaning, you should create a checklist of the cleaning tasks. It is important to be very thorough in your cleaning effort so as not to miss anything. Remember, this type of cleaning should follow certain standards, which you will do well to learn about. If you want to play safe and hire a company to do that for you, then research possible candidates to find the best offer and the best company for the job. End of lease cleaning is an important task, so you should only hire an experienced company with specialised service offered to ensure everything goes smoothly.
• Move pets - it is a good idea to keep pets out of the property while it is being cleaned. There are strong detergents used in the process, especially if there are heavily soiled areas and it is not safe for pets to be around.
• Inspect the house - apart from cleaning, you should do a thorough inspection of the place. Make sure any repairs are carried out before the cleaning session. Your landlord will not just expect a clean property, but also one that is not in a state of disrepair. Otherwise, they can withhold your money.

How long does it take to do a professional cleaning?

On average, a professional domestic cleaner can do their job in around 1.5 hours. This includes cleaning one bedroom and one bathroom. However, there are a few factors at play that can alter this time. For example, if the home is not cleaned on a regular basis, it would take the cleaner longer. If they have to do more specialised cleaning, such as dealing with a messy oven, the time can go up.

For a thorough end of tenancy cleaning session, the time is significantly higher. After all, end of tenancy cleaning requires more precision and greater attention to detail, so that the outcome is satisfactory for the landlord. There are many things that end of tenancy cleaning needs to cover on a strict checklist, so it is only normal that it takes 2 to 4 hours, based on the number of rooms that need to be cleaned.

You may be interested in reading our guide and bedroom cleaning checklist or a more general apartment cleaning checklist.

Don't hesitate to give us a call or use our booking form to request a free quote for any end of tenancy cleaning in London including but not limited to Canary Wharf, Islington, Wembley, Harrow, etc.

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