TENANTS, LANDLORDS & LETTING AGENTS

Professional End of Tenancy Cleaning

All You Need to Know

Why End-of-Tenancy Cleans need to be Professional

When you’re moving out of a rental property there’s a lot to organise and prepare. One of the most important things to add to your “to-do” list as a departing tenant is to arrange for a professional cleaning company to come (preferably after your own furniture and effects have been removed) to clean the carpets and oven in the property to a high standard.

Why is this necessary?

Well, for one thing it is surely a matter of common courtesy to leave the property you have been occupying in as good a condition as possible, both for the sake of the landlord and the new tenants who will be taking it over.

Then there is the financial aspect. When you initially took on the tenancy you will have paid a deposit (usually equivalent to one months’ rent) and signed a contract which, among other things, includes a section about your responsibilities for maintenance, condition and cleanliness.

In order to get your full deposit returned to you at the end of the rental you will need to satisfy the landlord and/or any letting agent involved that you are leaving the property in as good as (or even better!) condition than when you moved in.

How do End-of-Tenancy Cleans Differ from Normal Cleaning?

Most landlords are meticulous and discerning when it comes to the cleaning of their property at the end of a tenancy.

It is likely your landlord or his/her agent will have a cleaning checklist to go through when they inspect the state in which you have left the property, so you might have to get your hands dirty to get all the chores done to ensure you get your deposit returned with no quibbling.

For example, some things that you’ll need to do before your landlord inspects the property at the end of your tenancy include:

Cleaning kitchen worktops & cupboards
Scrubbing up bathroom & kitchen tiles
Hygienically cleaning sinks, bath, shower, and toilet
Wiping down walls and light fittings
Washing windows

With a bit of effort and elbow-grease you should be able to satisfy most of the landlord’s criteria, but when it comes to carpets and oven cleaning there is usually a requirement for professional cleaning.

We are members of the NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners Association) and Dirtbusters Oven Cleaning Network.

What’s involved in a professional End-of-Tenancy Clean?

Landlords and letting agents generally expect carpets and ovens to be cleaned to a five-star standard, which can only be achieved by a cleaning company with a squad of trained, experienced and well-equipped specialist cleaners.

If you expect to get your full deposit back when you leave a tenancy you need the help of experts who have a good reputation in your local area, are trusted by your landlord and/or letting agency, and able to give you certified proof that they have completed the end-of-tenancy clean.

One of the main requirements for professional cleaning at the end of a tenancy is the deep cleaning of all the carpeting and soft furnishings (curtains, upholstery) that belong to the property. This should include stain removal treatments if necessary, deodorising and sanitising.

If the property has a cooker, oven or cooking range as part of the rental, then this also needs to be treated to specialised deep clean by qualified technicians who are approved by an organisation like the Dirtbusters Oven Cleaning Network.

The idea is to leave the oven grease-free and gleaming, inside and out. The same goes for any other cooking appliance in the property, from gas barbecues to microwaves, hobs and cooker hoods.

How Long Does an End-of-Tenancy Clean take?

The length of time it takes to clean carpets and upholstery in a property depends on various factors, such as how many rooms there are, and what kind of carpeting and fabrics are involved. Generally, you should allow at least a day for the cleaning of the carpets in an average three-bed family home, which also takes into account drying time.

Professional oven cleans take around two hours for an average-sized cooker. Obviously, it takes longer to clean additional items like a hob or cooker hood.

Most tenants agree – it is worth having professional cleaners to take on these End-of-Tenancy tasks for convenience sake, peace of mind and to satisfy the requirements of landlords. It’s the best way to get a guaranteed perfect result in the shortest time.

Prestige Cleaning Services offer affordable fixed rates for End-of-Tenancy carpet and oven Cleaning for homes and business premises across The Cotswolds, North Wiltshire and West Oxfordshire. Just call 0800 228 9574 to arrange when we should get the job done – one more thing to tick off of your moving “to do” list!