The deposit dispute is one of the most stressful parts of moving house. The good news: most disputes are entirely avoidable if the property is returned in the right condition. Here is the checklist we use when we carry out professional end-of-tenancy cleans across March, Wisbech, Chatteris and the rest of the Fenland area.
Kitchen Checklist
- Oven: fully cleaned inside, including racks, grill pan and door glass
- Hob: all rings or ceramic surface cleaned, burners de-greased
- Extractor hood and filter: grease removed or filter replaced
- Fridge and freezer: defrosted, cleaned inside and out, shelves and drawers wiped
- Dishwasher: filter cleaned, interior wiped, salt and rinse aid levels checked
- Microwave: interior and exterior cleaned
- All cupboard interiors wiped down
- Worktops, splashbacks and sink scrubbed
- Tap and mixer fittings descaled and polished
- Floor vacuumed and mopped including under appliances
- Bins emptied and cleaned
Bathroom / Shower Room Checklist
- Toilet: cleaned inside the bowl, under the rim, cistern, seat and base
- Bath or shower tray: scrubbed, taps and showerhead descaled
- Shower screen or curtain: limescale removed, screen polished
- Basin and taps: scrubbed and polished
- Tiles: grout cleaned, limescale removed, tiles polished
- Mirrors and cabinet glass: cleaned and streak-free
- Extractor fan: grille cleaned
- Sealant: mould removed where possible (badly moulded sealant may need professional treatment)
- Floor vacuumed and mopped
Bedrooms & Living Areas Checklist
- All surfaces dusted including skirting boards, picture rails and window sills
- Light fittings and shades dusted
- Windows: glass cleaned inside, frames and sills wiped
- Walls: marks and scuffs wiped where possible (touch-up painting may be required for larger marks)
- Wardrobes and drawers: emptied, wiped inside and out
- Carpets: professionally cleaned (see below)
- Hard floors: vacuumed and mopped, scuff marks removed
- Curtains or blinds: dusted or washed as appropriate
- Switches, sockets and door handles wiped
Don't Forget These Areas
- Hallway: often the first thing inspectors see — must be spotless
- Stairs: both treads and risers vacuumed and wiped
- Utility room: washing machine drum and filter cleaned
- Garage or shed: swept out, cleared of belongings
- Garden: lawns mowed, weeds removed, patios swept
- Windows: exterior wiped if accessible from ground level
Should You Get the Carpets Professionally Cleaned?
Many tenancy agreements require carpets to be professionally cleaned on departure — always check your contract. Even if it's not a contractual requirement, a professional carpet clean is almost always worth the cost: it is far less than the deduction a landlord will make for a dirty carpet.
DirtBGone provides end-of-tenancy carpet cleaning across March and the Fenland District. We can provide a receipt suitable for your landlord or letting agent. Find out more about our carpet cleaning service.
The Case for Hiring a Professional Cleaner
The standard required for end-of-tenancy cleaning is genuinely higher than normal household cleaning — landlords and agents compare to the inventory photos taken when you moved in. A professional end-of-tenancy clean by DirtBGone is:
- Thorough and systematic — we work to an agreed checklist
- Documented — we can provide before-and-after photos
- Guaranteed — if the landlord raises an issue, we'll return to rectify it
- Often cheaper than the deduction from your deposit
Related: Carpet Cleaning · Stain Removal · Cleaning in March