End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist (Inventory-Ready)
End of tenancy cleans are judged by an inventory clerk, not the tenant. That single fact should shape the whole job: you're cleaning to a written report standard.
This checklist is ordered by where deductions are most commonly made.
How to use this checklist
- Photograph the property on arrival, pre-existing damage is not your responsibility, but you need evidence.
- Work the high-deduction items first: oven, extractor, fridge, limescale, skirtings.
- Photograph the finished job room by room and store the photos against the client record.
The checklist
Highest-risk items
- Oven interior, racks, trays and door glass
- Extractor filters degreased
- Fridge and freezer emptied, defrosted, cleaned, left open and off
- Washing machine drawer, seal and filter
- Limescale removed from all taps, screens and shower heads
- Skirting boards washed throughout
Kitchen
- Inside all cupboards and drawers
- Worktops, splashback and tiles degreased
- Sink descaled and polished
- Bins washed inside and out
- Behind and beside appliances where movable
Bathrooms
- Toilet cleaned including behind, base and cistern
- Bath, shower tray and screen descaled
- Grout scrubbed, mould treated
- Mirrors and chrome polished
- Extractor cover cleaned
All rooms
- Internal windows, frames, sills and tracks
- Doors, frames and handles washed
- Light switches, sockets and fittings
- Wardrobes and cupboards cleaned inside
- Radiators cleaned
- Carpets hoovered thoroughly, edges included
- Hard floors mopped
- Cobwebs removed from every ceiling corner
Pro tips
- Confirm in writing before booking whether carpets need professional treatment, it's the single most common surprise cost.
- Leave the property empty and ventilated. Damp smells lose deposits even when the clean is perfect.
Frequently asked questions
What is checked in an end of tenancy inspection?
Inventory clerks focus on oven interiors, extractor filters, fridge and freezer, limescale, skirting boards, window tracks, inside cupboards and carpets, the items tenants most often miss.
Do carpets need professional cleaning at end of tenancy?
Only if the tenancy agreement requires it. Where it does, keep the receipt, it's often requested as proof.
How long does an end of tenancy clean take?
Roughly 4, 6 hours for a two-bed with two cleaners, 6, 8 for a three-bed, longer if carpets or heavy build-up are involved.
Should end of tenancy cleans be photographed?
Yes. Room-by-room photos on completion are the fastest way to resolve a disputed deduction weeks later.
How CleanFlow helps with this
- Photo Uploads , Before-and-after photos uploaded straight from the cleaner's phone. Dispute-proof your business.
- Checklists , Digital checklists for every job type, end-of-tenancy, Airbnb, office, deep clean or regular visit. Nothing gets missed.
Related guides
- End Of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist (Free, Printable) , The exact end of tenancy cleaning checklist professional UK cleaners follow, every room, every task, in the right order.
- How To Quote A Cleaning Job (Win More, Lose Less) , How to quote cleaning jobs confidently, without underpricing or losing the work. Real formulas, examples and templates.
More templates and checklists
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