This checklist aims to help tenants when navigating checkout inspections and provides UK figures that show cleaning is the leading cause of tenancy deposit claims. In DPS figures, cleaning accounts for nearly 30% of deposit claims.
Get It Cleaned, a London domestic cleaning company founded in 2013, has published a room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist to support London renters preparing for end-of-tenancy inspections. The guidance arrives as official UK industry data highlights cleaning as the primary driver of tenancy deposit claims across the United Kingdom.
Figures from the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) show that cleaning accounted for 29.38% of deposit claims in 2025. Cleaning was the leading claim reason for the fifth year in a row.
That 29.38% is the cleaning share in the DPS table of claim reasons for 2025. A claim is a request for a deduction from the deposit. It is not the same thing as a formal dispute. Read the DPS report, Cleaning main cause of tenancy deposit deductions for a fifth year running, at https://www.depositprotection.com/news-insights/cleaning-main-cause-of-tenancy-deposit-deductions-for-a-fifth-year-running.
Matt Trevett, Managing Director of The DPS, said: “Less than 5% of all deposits protected by The DPS end in a dispute.”
Despite there not being a legal requirement for tenants to use a professional cleaning agency or service under the Tenant Fees Act, tenants are still responsible for returning properties to their original standard. This will usually be documented in the initial check-in inventory.
Professional cleaning is not legally mandatory in England. You are responsible for cleanliness relative to the original condition, and fair wear and tear is allowed. The check-in inventory is the record of that condition. Fair wear and tear means normal deterioration from reasonable use, such as light scuffs. It does not include dirt or grease. Shelter England sets out the rule at https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/what_can_your_landlord_deduct_from_your_deposit/cleaning_gardening_decorating.
Assisting tenants in managing move-out expectations, Get It Cleaned has key essential priority areas they check based on common inventory inspection standards.
Room-by-Room Move-Out Cleaning Priorities
This checklist is a straightforward approach when preparing a rental property for its final walkthrough. It also names a few spots tenants often skip.
Preparation prior to cleaning: Empty out cupboards and drawers, as well as clearing away personal belongings from surfaces. Removing rubbish is also essential to ensure all areas are accessible for cleaning.
Kitchen areas to inspect: Clean grease and grime from the oven, hob, and extractor fan. Wipe down cupboards, clean fridge and freezer interiors, and descale sinks, taps, and work surfaces. Also clean the washing machine door seal and the detergent drawer. Grease and residue sit there, and a wipe of the worktop will not reach them.
Bathroom sanitisation: Thoroughly clean the toilet, bath, and shower enclosures with antibacterial products to remove limescale from glass screens and fixtures, and clean tiles, grout lines, mirrors, and floors. Also clean the shower waste, the seal where the screen meets the tray, and the floor behind the toilet pedestal.
Living spaces & bedrooms: Dust down all surfaces, including around light switches, skirting boards, door frames, and window sills. Sweep before vacuuming or mopping floors. Also clean the window tracks. Dust collects in the channels after you have wiped the sill.
Carpets & furnishings: Double-check soft furnishings for any stains, soil, or odours, and consider looking into specialist cleaning such as hot water extraction for stubborn marks or heavy wear.
A final walk-through: Dispose of all rubbish, and inspect each room in daylight to make sure nothing has been missed. Photograph each room of the property for your own records and theirs. Also take meter readings, and secure keys ready for return to the estate agents or landlord.
Practical Guidance for Busy Handovers
“The cleaning mistakes we see most often are the ones you miss on a quick look around. You wipe the oven glass and leave the racks, trays, and back panel greasy. You vacuum the middle of the room and miss the edges, the space under the bed, and the area behind the sofa. You clean the sink and leave food in the fridge seal and crumbs in the cutlery drawer. Inventory clerks photograph those spots. When they are dirty, a cleaning claim is hard to defend.”
Nathaniel Jamesson, Coordinator at Get It Cleaned.
Moving Out Cleaning Services in London
Get It Cleaned delivers full end-of-tenancy cleaning services across the Greater London postcodes. In addition to property move-out cleans, the company offers targeted specialist services, including carpet steam extraction, upholstery care, and dip-tank oven degreasing.
London renters who would like professional help with their move-out clean can view the Get It Cleaned end-of-tenancy cleaning service page (https://getitcleaned.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-in-london/) and check availability via the online portal.
