Free guide
The end of tenancy cleaning checklist letting agents actually use
Most deposit deductions are for cleaning. This is the room-by-room checklist we clean to on every end-of-tenancy job in East London and South Essex — free to use, print, or link to. Work through it top to bottom and finish one room before starting the next.
Room by room
The full checklist
Timings assume one person and a lived-in (not neglected) home. A full 2-bed end-of-tenancy clean typically takes a professional 5+ hours; doing it yourself, plan for a full day and start with the kitchen while you have the most energy.
Kitchen
~60–120 min- Oven interior degreased — racks, trays and glass door (the single most-failed item)
- Inside fridge and freezer — defrosted, shelves and seals wiped
- Inside every cupboard and drawer — crumbs out, shelves wiped
- Hob, extractor hood and filter degreased
- Worktops, splashback and tiles wiped; sink polished and taps descaled
- Inside the microwave and other appliance interiors
- Kickboards, bin area and floor — swept and mopped to the door
Most missed: The extractor filter and the seal around the fridge door — inventory clerks check both.
Bathroom & en-suite
~45–90 min- Limescale removed from taps, showerhead, screen and tiles
- Grout scrubbed; sealant wiped and checked
- Toilet cleaned inside and out, including behind the base
- Mirrors and glass polished streak-free
- Extractor fan cover dusted; towel rails and radiator wiped
- Floor mopped, corners and behind the door included
Most missed: Descaling the showerhead and the overflow hole in the basin.
Bedrooms
~30–45 min each- Inside wardrobes, drawers and on top of wardrobes
- Skirting boards, picture rails and light fittings dusted
- Windows cleaned inside; sills and frames wiped
- Carpet vacuumed edge-to-edge, including under the bed
- Marks on walls and doors spot-cleaned
Most missed: Wardrobe tops and window tracks — dust here is an easy deduction.
Living room & hallway
~45–60 min- All surfaces, shelves and fittings dusted
- Skirting boards and door frames wiped
- Interior windows and glass polished
- Sofas vacuumed under cushions (if furnished)
- Stairs vacuumed step by step; banister wiped
- Cobwebs removed from ceiling corners
Everywhere, before you hand back the keys
~30 min- All walls checked and spot-wiped
- Every bin emptied and washed out
- All rubbish and belongings removed from the property (including the loft and garden)
- Light bulbs working; switches and sockets wiped
- Keys, fobs and parking permits gathered for the check-out
- Meter readings photographed
Deposit-back tips
Three things that decide most deposit disputes
1. Match the check-in inventory. Your obligation is to return the property in the condition recorded at check-in (minus fair wear and tear) — dig out the inventory report and photograph every room the same way after cleaning.
2. The oven is the tell.Clerks open the oven first — if it's spotless they assume the rest of the clean is professional. If you only deep-clean one thing yourself, make it the oven.
3. Keep the receipt. A professional end-of-tenancy clean with a guarantee is strong evidence in a deposit-scheme dispute. Kechkay end-of-tenancy cleans include a 48-hour re-clean guarantee if your agent raises a cleaning issue.
Letting agents and landlords: you're welcome to link to or share this checklist with tenants — see our partner price guide.