The Complete End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist (London 2026)

Losing part of your deposit over cleaning is one of the most common — and most avoidable — move-out disputes in London. Here's exactly what agents check.

Why cleaning causes deposit disputes

Cleaning is the single most common reason for deposit deductions in England. Letting agents inspect against the inventory taken at check-in, and 'professional standard' is the bar. This checklist mirrors that inspection.

Kitchen

Oven, hob, grill and extractor degreased inside and out
Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers
Fridge/freezer defrosted and sanitised
Sink descaled, taps polished, tiles and grout cleaned

Bathrooms

Limescale removed from taps, shower, screen and tiles
Toilet, sink and bath sanitised
Mirrors and chrome polished, extractor dusted

Living areas & bedrooms

Skirting boards, doors, frames and switches wiped
Inside wardrobes and storage
Windows cleaned internally, sills and frames wiped
Carpets vacuumed (professionally steam-cleaned if your contract requires)

The smart move

Most London tenancy agreements specify professional carpet cleaning. Booking an end-of-tenancy service with a re-clean guarantee protects you if the agent flags anything — and costs less than a typical deposit deduction.