If you’re currently renting in London and are about to move homes, you may have some questions about end of tenancy cleaning. Using a professional cleaning service for your end of tenancy cleaning means you’ll receive as much of your deposit back as possible. However, these cleaning services are sometimes a bit confusing for people that have never used them before. So, here are some FAQs about the end of tenancy cleaning services in London and the rest of the UK.
Can a Landlord Charge me for End of Tenancy Cleaning?
Landlords can charge you for end of tenancy cleaning if they have cause to do so. When you move out of a rented property, most contracts state that you must leave it in the condition you found it in. So, if your landlord feels that you haven’t left it in the same condition, they can charge you the cost of professional end of tenancy cleaning services. This can sometimes end up costing you more than if you were to arrange the cleaning yourself. So, it is always worth booking an end of tenancy cleaning service yourself.
Can I do an End of Tenancy Clean Myself?
You can do this type of cleaning yourself, but it isn’t easy. Most landlords and estate agents/managers in London use a strict checklist to check that every area of the rental property is clean. Without knowing what this checklist is, it’s very difficult to ensure that your property is up to their standards.
Speaking from experience, my partner and I tried to do our end of tenancy clean ourselves. We quickly realised how much work the clean was going to be and hired a professional cleaning service to do it for us. They cleaned areas that we never thought of and got our flat back to the spotless condition it was in before we first moved in. So, yes, you can clean your rental property yourself at the end of a tenancy. Still, it is often much easier and less stressful to hire a cleaning company to do it for you.
What must be Done During an End of Tenancy Clean?
A rental property must be left in the same condition it was when you first moved in. This means that every area must be cleaned. Inside the cupboards, behind the toilet, the cooker hood, carpets, oven, and a lot more. Every inch of the rental property must be cleaned. Basically, when you move out of a rental property, you need to make sure it is ready for the next person to move into. This can make cleaning a rental property at the end of a tenancy a real challenge, so it is much easier to get a professional cleaning company to come in and clean it for you.
Can a Landlord Charge for Cleaning?
A landlord cannot force you to pay for any cleaning if you have met all of your obligations as a renter. This means that if you have done the end of tenancy clean yourself correctly or paid a pro to do it, the landlord cannot force you to pay for any extra cleaning. If the house or flat is in the same condition as when you arrived, they cannot charge you for any extra cleaning.
How Long can End of Tenancy Cleaning Take?
End of tenancy cleaning sessions don’t take that long. A few hours usually, but it depends on how big your property is and how much cleaning is required. If you live in a large rented property, an end of tenancy clean could take a full day, but if your home is already quite clean, it will likely only be a few hours. You can ask the cleaning company you choose to provide a rough time scale for the cleaning, though.
How Clean Should my Rental Property be when I Move Out?
Your rental property should be in the same condition it was when you first moved in. Most landlords have rental properties professionally cleaned before a tenant moves into them, so most expect you to do the same before you move out. Basically, a rental property must be ready for new tenants to move in straight away. If your landlord feels that you haven’t left it in a clean and hygienic state, they may charge you for cleaning services and take the cost out of your deposit.
Finding a good quality end of tenancy cleaning company is vital if you want to move out of a property quickly and easily. If you’re in London, there are professional cleaning companies that offer this service across the city, and they are well worth using. Cleaning a property to the high standards of a landlord is difficult, so using a cleaning company is the easiest and most stress-free way of ensuring you get your full deposit back.