End of tenancy cleaning checklist: how to get your deposit back

Most deposit disputes are about cleaning. If the home is as clean as it was on the day you moved in (check your inventory), there's little reason for money to be held back.

Before you start

• Find your check-in inventory and photos, so you know the standard you're aiming for.
• Book the clean for after your things have gone, ideally the day before the keys go back.
• Ask whether the clean comes with a re-clean guarantee if the agent finds anything.

Kitchen

• Oven, hob, grill pan and extractor filters: these are the most common reasons for deductions.
• Inside the fridge and freezer, defrosted and dried.
• Cupboards inside and out, worktops, tiles and the sink.

Bathrooms

• Limescale off taps, shower screens and tiles.
• Toilet, including under the rim and around the base.
• Extractor fan cover and any mould on sealant.

Every room

• Skirting boards, doors, light switches and sockets.
• Inside windows and sills.
• Carpets vacuumed, or professionally cleaned if your tenancy agreement says so.

On the day

• Take dated photos of every room once the clean is done.
• Hand back every key, and get a receipt.

Tip: A professional end of tenancy clean with a guarantee often costs less than the deductions you're trying to avoid.