End of Tenancy Cleaning Cost UK
31 October 2026
End of Tenancy Cleaning Cost UK: 2026 Price Guide and Deposit Checklist
In 2026, an end of tenancy clean for a three-bedroom UK home typically costs £220 to £400, according to InstantCost’s house-cleaning guide. A studio may cost around £150, while a large or heavily lived-in family home can cost more than £500. Your quote will depend on the property’s size, condition, location and what the cleaner includes.
Before you book, check the inventory and checkout instructions. The aim is to return the home in the condition recorded at move-in, allowing for fair wear and tear. That does not automatically mean you must pay for a professional clean. A professional booking can still be useful when it saves time, covers detailed tasks or gives you an invoice and a clear cleaning scope.
Quick answer:
End of tenancy clean for a three-bedroom home: £220 to £400
Small studio: around £150
Large or heavily lived-in family home: can exceed £500
Common extras include oven cleaning, fridge/freezer cleaning, cupboard interiors and carpet cleaning
Get the full scope and total price in writing before booking
Prices are InstantCost UK guide figures checked on 31 October 2026. They are estimates, not fixed quotes. InstantCost’s current published guide gives a specific range for a three-bedroom property and broader endpoints for small studios and large, heavily lived-in homes. It does not publish a verified price for every bedroom count.
End of tenancy cleaning cost by property size
Property type | 2026 guide | What can move the quote |
|---|---|---|
Small studio | Around £150 | Bathroom condition, kitchen grease, appliances and access |
Three-bedroom home | £220 to £400 | Number of bathrooms, property condition and included extras |
Large or heavily lived-in family home | Can exceed £500 | Extra rooms, pet hair, heavy soiling and specialist cleaning |
These are guide prices, not a room-by-room tariff. A three-bedroom flat with one bathroom may take less work than a smaller house with several bathrooms, stairs, a utility room and a heavily used oven. Give cleaners an accurate description rather than relying on bedroom count alone.
What does a professional move-out clean include?
There is no single national checklist used by every cleaning company. A proper end of tenancy clean is usually more detailed than a regular weekly clean. It commonly covers accessible surfaces throughout the property, with extra attention to kitchens, bathrooms and inside storage.
Ask the company to confirm whether the following tasks are included:
Dusting reachable surfaces, skirting boards and ledges
Vacuuming floors and carpets, then mopping suitable hard floors
Cleaning kitchen worktops, cupboard fronts and handles
Cleaning the inside of cupboards and drawers if they are empty
Cleaning the oven interior, racks, trays and door glass
Cleaning the fridge and freezer interior if they have been emptied and defrosted
Cleaning sinks, taps, toilets, baths, showers and accessible tiles
Removing ordinary limescale and soap residue within the agreed scope
Wiping accessible interior window glass and frames, if included
Emptying bins and removing cleaning debris
Expert booking tip: Ask for the checklist before comparing prices. A lower quote may exclude the oven, appliance interiors or carpet treatment. Those exclusions can make the apparent saving disappear once you add the work back in.
What usually costs extra?
InstantCost’s house-cleaning calculator lists common optional extras. These are useful comparison figures, but the final amount depends on how many items need cleaning and their condition.
Optional extra | InstantCost guide range | Ask before booking |
|---|---|---|
Oven clean | £50 to £125 | Does it include racks, trays, door glass and removable parts? |
Fridge or freezer clean | £20 to £60 | Must it be emptied and defrosted before the visit? |
Interior windows | £15 to £45 | How many windows and which floors are covered? |
Extractor fan clean | £35 to £70 | Is this a surface clean or does it include a removable filter? |
Cabinet and cupboard interiors | £30 to £70 | Are cupboards required to be empty? |
Limescale removal | £45 to £90 | Does the quote cover routine residue or heavy build-up? |
Pet hair removal | £50 to £120 | Is this for floors and upholstery, or floors only? |
Carpet steam cleaning is often quoted separately. If carpets need professional treatment, ask whether the cleaner uses hot-water extraction, a low-moisture method or another process, which rooms and stairs are included, and how long the carpets should take to dry. See InstantCost’s UK carpet-cleaning cost guide for separate room and whole-property estimates.
Why do end of tenancy cleaning quotes vary?
Property size and layout
Bedrooms are only a rough indicator of workload. Bathrooms, additional reception rooms, stairs, hallways, conservatories and utility areas add cleaning time. Tell the company about every area included in the tenancy, including storage spaces where they are part of the property.
Condition at checkout
A recently maintained home needs less work than a property with baked-on oven grease, heavy limescale, pet hair or neglected cupboards. Send clear photos if the company offers a remote quote, then confirm whether the price can change after an onsite inspection.
What is included in the service
“End of tenancy clean” can mean different things. One quote may include the oven and inside cupboards; another may include only an ordinary deep clean. Compare the task list and exclusions, not just the headline cost.
Location, access and timing
Regional labour costs, parking, stairs, lift access and the distance from the cleaner’s base can affect a one-off booking. End-of-month and summer move dates can be busy, so short-notice appointments may have fewer choices or different terms.
Guarantees and return visits
Some firms offer a re-clean if the landlord or agent raises a cleaning issue. Read the conditions carefully: the time limit, areas covered, proof required and whether the company needs the original checkout report. A re-clean promise is useful only if you know how to request it and what it excludes.
Estimate the cleaning cost for your home
Choose end-of-tenancy cleaning, add the property details and postcode, then compare a regional estimate with written local quotes.
Calculate My Move-Out Cleaning Cost
End of tenancy cleaning checklist by room
Use this checklist to plan a DIY clean or check whether a professional booking covers the areas likely to be recorded at checkout. Follow your inventory and the actual condition of the property rather than assuming every item needs specialist treatment.
Kitchen
Empty cupboards and drawers, then clean inside and out
Clean worktops, splashbacks, sink and taps
Clean the hob, oven door, racks and trays if included
Clean the extractor hood and accessible filter
Empty and clean the fridge and freezer, allowing time to defrost if required
Wipe appliance fronts, handles and reachable areas around appliances
Remove food waste and clean the bin
Bathroom and toilet
Clean the toilet, basin, taps and surrounding surfaces
Remove ordinary soap residue and limescale from shower and bath fittings
Clean the shower screen, mirror and accessible tiles
Wipe cabinet fronts and clean empty storage interiors
Remove hair and debris from accessible plugholes without dismantling plumbing
Check for mould or water damage and report underlying problems to the landlord
Bedrooms and living areas
Remove personal belongings and rubbish
Dust accessible shelves, ledges, skirting boards and light fittings
Clean inside wardrobes and drawers once empty
Vacuum carpets and clean hard floors using a suitable method
Wipe door handles, switches and accessible marks without damaging paint
Clean accessible interior window glass and frames if required
Hallways, stairs and final checks
Vacuum stairs, edges and landings
Wipe reachable bannisters and handrails
Check cupboards, storage areas and utility spaces
Remove all rubbish and cleaning supplies
Take dated photographs after the clean and before handing over the keys
How to protect your deposit when moving out
A cleaner can help with the work, but an invoice alone does not prove that every possible deposit deduction is justified. Your strongest evidence is a clear comparison between the property’s check-in condition and the condition at checkout.
Find the check-in inventory. Note how the kitchen, bathroom, appliances, floors and windows were recorded when you moved in.
Read the checkout instructions. Ask for specific standards or a written list of areas the agent expects you to address.
Check which appliances were clean at the start. Do not pay to restore an item to a better condition than the documented check-in state.
Agree the scope with your cleaner. Send the inventory or checkout list and ask the company to confirm which listed tasks are included.
Keep the quote, invoice and payment record. An itemised document is more useful than a card receipt that only says “cleaning”.
Take dated photos and video. Photograph each room after cleaning, including appliance interiors, cupboards, carpets and any existing damage.
Keep evidence of repairs or reported defects. Cleaning does not fix a leak, failed seal, broken extractor or damp problem. Notify the landlord or agent in writing.
Return keys and record the handover. Save emails and messages confirming when you left and returned the keys.
Practical advice: If an agent flags a cleaning issue, ask which specific area failed, request the checkout evidence and compare it with the check-in inventory. This makes it easier to decide whether a targeted re-clean is appropriate or whether a proposed deduction needs to be challenged.
Do you have to hire professional end of tenancy cleaners?
In England, a landlord or letting agent cannot require you to pay for a professional clean as a checkout fee or require you to use a particular cleaning company. The property should be returned in its original condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. If cleaning is genuinely needed because the condition is worse than at check-in, the landlord may seek a reasonable, evidenced cost from the deposit.
Rules differ across the UK. Wales also restricts professional-cleaning fees under its letting-fee rules. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own tenancy and deposit arrangements. Check the rules for the nation where you rent, and read the government’s Tenant Fees Act guidance for tenants in England for the England-specific position.
In practical terms, book a cleaner because the service suits your time, property or desired scope, not simply because someone says every tenant must buy a professional clean. Keep evidence of the condition you leave behind whichever option you choose.
How to hire end of tenancy cleaners near me
When searching for end of tenancy cleaners near you, the closest company is not automatically the best fit. Look for a provider that gives a written, property-specific scope and explains how it handles checkout concerns.
Before booking, check:
Whether the company is insured and how its cleaners are vetted
Whether it brings products and equipment
Whether the quote is fixed or can change after arrival
Whether the oven, fridge/freezer and cupboard interiors are included
Whether carpet cleaning is included or optional
Whether VAT, parking and access charges are included
Whether the company offers a re-clean and the exact conditions
How payment, cancellation and appointment changes work
Whether the cleaner can provide an itemised invoice
How to book a professional move-out clean successfully
Book the clean after the property is empty and before the checkout inspection. If you need to clean before the final furniture removal, ask the company which areas can be completed later and whether a return visit costs extra.
Send the provider these details when requesting a quote:
Full postcode and property type
Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and reception rooms
Whether there are stairs, a lift or restricted parking
Photos of the kitchen, oven, bathrooms and any heavy soiling
Whether pets lived in the property
Whether carpets, upholstery or mattresses need treatment
Your move-out and checkout inspection dates
The inventory or checkout cleaning list, if available
Allow enough time for the cleaning, any carpet drying and a final walk-through. If the checkout is early in the morning, booking the clean for the previous day may reduce the risk of a scheduling delay, but arrange access and key return with the landlord or agent in advance.
Common booking mistakes
Choosing a quote without checking whether oven cleaning is included
Leaving food in the fridge or freezer when the cleaner arrives
Booking before the property is empty and then paying for a return visit
Assuming a professional-clean invoice guarantees a full deposit return
Failing to photograph the property after the work
Paying extra to clean an area that was not included in the original quote without approving the price
Expecting a cleaner to remove permanent stains, repair damage or resolve mould caused by a building defect
Booking at the last minute during a busy moving period
Frequently asked questions
How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost in the UK?
InstantCost’s 2026 guide places a three-bedroom end of tenancy clean at £220 to £400. A small studio is around £150, while a large or heavily lived-in family home can cost more than £500. Extras such as oven or carpet cleaning may be charged separately.
What is included in an end of tenancy clean?
Most services cover a detailed clean of accessible kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living areas. Oven cleaning and inside cupboards are common inclusions, but not universal. Confirm the task list in writing, including appliances, windows, carpets, stairs, rubbish and any areas the company excludes.
Can my landlord make me book a professional cleaner?
In England, a landlord or agent cannot require you to pay for a professional checkout clean or use a particular company. You remain responsible for returning the property in its check-in condition, allowing for fair wear and tear. Rules differ elsewhere in the UK.
Does a professional clean guarantee my deposit back?
No. A clean may help, but deposit decisions also depend on the check-in and checkout evidence, rent or other claims, and the terms that apply to your tenancy. Keep dated photos, the cleaning scope, invoice and written communications with the landlord or agent.
Should I hire a cleaner or do the move-out clean myself?
DIY can save the booking cost if you have time, equipment and a clear checklist. A professional clean may be more convenient for a large property, a short moving window or detailed appliance work. Compare the quote with your inventory and the tasks you can realistically complete.
Is oven cleaning included in the price?
Sometimes, but it is not safe to assume it is. InstantCost lists a separate oven-cleaning guide range of £50 to £125. Ask whether the quoted clean includes the oven interior, racks, trays and door glass, or only a wipe of the exterior.
Should I add carpet cleaning to my booking?
Check the inventory, carpet condition and what your quote includes. A standard vacuum is different from professional carpet treatment. Book a separate service when the carpet needs it or the agreed scope calls for it, and confirm the method, rooms, stairs and drying time.
How far ahead should I book?
Book as soon as you know your move-out date, especially for month-end and summer moves. Having the date, property details and checkout list ready helps cleaners give a more accurate quote and confirm availability before your schedule becomes tight.
What should I do if the checkout report says the clean was not good enough?
Ask for the specific areas identified and compare them with your check-in inventory and photos. If your cleaner offers a re-clean, check its deadline and terms. If a deposit deduction is proposed, request an itemised explanation and supporting evidence before agreeing.
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