Wondering whether you’ll get your security deposit back at the end of your lease? Oftentimes, the security deposit, and how much the tenant should receive back, sparks disputes between landlords and tenants.
A common point of tension is about the cleanliness, or lack thereof, of the apartment when it’s returned to the landlord. If the apartment isn’t sufficiently clean, many landlords may use part of or all of the safety deposit to continue cleaning the property to prepare it for its next residents.
To avoid this hassle, and to streamline the process of turning over the property to new tenants, many landlords require an end of tenancy cleaning before move-out.
Wondering if you’ll need an end of tenancy cleaning when moving out of your home? Keep reading to learn more about the process, and how you can find professional End of Tenancy Cleaners in your area!
What is an End of Tenancy Cleaning?
Many landlords require this type of cleaning to restore their rental properties to their original conditions. This way, the landlord can lease the property again without the extra step of a deep clean.
As such, this cleaning isn’t just a simple vacuuming or mopping of the floors: it’s ensuring everything is the way you originally found it when you first moved in. It’s meant to rid the property of all the dirt, mold, and dust that has built up while you’ve lived in the dwelling, and thus may be time consuming or even require professional assistance.
Can I complete an End of Tenancy Cleaning on my own?
Many people successfully complete end of tenancy cleanings on their own, or with the help of friends and family. Often, individuals who do so plan several days in advance, especially if they are also hoping to move furniture in addition to their personal belongings. If you plan to carry out the cleaning on your own, it’s worth arranging to borrow vacuums and other cleaning equipment you may not own ahead of time.
Even so, an end of tenancy cleaning without professional help may be time-consuming and stressful, especially if taken on at the last minute: many people spend an entire day on this kind of deep-clean. Furthermore, some molds and scales may have built up during your tenancy that may be difficult to remove without the correct equipment or cleaning materials. Finally, if not done properly, the landlord may keep some of your security deposit so that they may carry out a more thorough cleaning on their own time.
Ultimately, a professional cleaning is what is most likely to ensure you receive the entirety of your security deposit back. It’s also why many people ultimately choose to hire a professional for the job.
End of Tenancy Cleaners Cost
How much can you expect to pay for your apartment cleaning if you hire a professional service?
Ultimately, such costs depend on many factors, including the size, age and overall state of your property.
Generally, you can expect the following price ranges to apply for your own dwelling:
Studio:
- One-Bedroom £75-100
- Two-Bedroom £100-125
- Three-Bedroom £125-160
- Larger apartments and homes £150+
Keep in mind that costs may also vary depending on location and the level of experience you pay for when you hire cleaners.
What happens during an End of Tenancy Cleaning?
This cleaning procedure is meant to return apartments to their original state. As such, there are naturally many items and cleaning procedures that should be taken on before moving out.
Looking for a cleaning checklist you can refer to when leaving your apartment? The End of Tenancy Cleaners will take on cleaning tasks that include, but are not limited to, the following in different parts of the home:
Kitchen Checklist
Due to the nature of its use, the kitchen can be one of the most difficult areas to clean. When cleaning this space, have in mind to prioritize the following tasks:
- Clean and degrease the interiors and exteriors of microwaves, ovens, fridges and other appliances where grease is especially likely to build up.
- Remove all food particles and any food splashes on the walls or floors.
- Thoroughly mop and sweep the floors.
- Clean the dishwasher, if you have one.
- Clean behind and under all appliances.
- Be mindful to clean other appliances that may belong to your landlord, such as toasters, coffee machines, kettles and sandwich presses.
Be sure to ask if your landlord or the End of Tenancy Cleaners you hire would like your refrigerator defrosted beforehand: if so, unplug the appliance about 24 hours in advance.
Bathroom Checklist
Bathrooms are often notorious for built up limescale and molds. As such, it’s especially important to be vigilant when cleaning this area of any dwelling, taking care to:
- Clean the washing machine and dryer, with special attention to removing any mold or mildew build up on rubbery sections of the appliance. If you have a dryer, remove the lint!
- Clean all water taps and the shower handle, with careful attention to removing built up limescale.
- Thoroughly mop and sweep the floors.
- Wipe dust from the radiators.
- Clean towel racks, doorknobs, and mirrors.
- Clean the sink, shower, and shower curtain, if it belongs to the property.
- Thoroughly clean the toilet and toilet bowl, especially the toilet bowl rim.
Living Room and Bedroom Checklist
The living room and bedroom are heavily used spaces, and it’s natural to assume the area has gone through some wear-and-tear during your tenancy. When cleaning these areas, focus on the following:
- Sweep under all furniture to ensure the removal of all trash and dust.
- Dust off lamps and fans, especially those hanging from walls and ceilings.
- Clean and vacuum floors, especially behind and under furniture and other appliances.
- Wipe down any woodwork, including wood floors.
In general, ridding your living space of dust, mold, and food is vital to ensuring your apartment is cleaned successfully. Be sure to ask your landlord if external spaces (window exteriors and balconies, for example) must also be taken care of before moving out.
Lastly, clean light switches and doorknobs to ensure everything is ready for the dwelling’s next round of tenants!
What about my carpets and upholstery?
Generally, wear-and-tear on your carpets and furniture are considered normal parts of renting an apartment, and are typically seen as a landlord’s responsibility to maintain. As such, standard End of Tenancy Cleanings typically do not include a carpet or upholstery cleaning.
Still, it’s worth asking End of Tenancy Cleaners if they may be able to provide such services separately if you or your landlord wants them cleaned. Often, home cleaners can also offer carpet and upholstery cleanings, and may even be able to offer such services to you at a discount price if they are already deep cleaning your apartment.
Looking for End of Tenancy Cleaners? Let us help you!
Hiring a team of professionals to take on your apartment cleaning is a great way to ensure less stress on moving day, and may just help you get your entire security deposit from your lease back without hassle.
If you’re looking to hire professional End of Tenancy Cleaners to guide you through the process, there are many different services and qualified persons available to provide a wide range of services on MyConstructor.co.uk. Try it out and receive a quote for your job—at an excellent price—today!
