End of tenancy cleaning checklist: what letting agents actually check

End of tenancy cleaning is probably the most high-stakes clean you'll ever need. Letting agents and landlords are thorough — and they're looking for specific things. Getting your deposit back in full depends on leaving the property in the condition described in your inventory report. Here's what actually gets checked, and what most tenants miss.

Kitchen

Oven interior: degreased, no burnt-on residue inside the oven, on the racks, or on the door glass
Hob: free of grease and food splatter, burner caps and rings removed and cleaned separately
Extractor fan and filter: grease-free, filter replaced or cleaned
Fridge and freezer: defrosted, wiped inside and out, door seals cleaned
Dishwasher: filter cleaned, drum wiped, rubber seals checked
Microwave: inside and out, including the turntable
Cupboards and drawers: inside and out, including hinges and handles
Sink: limescale removed from tap and around plug hole
Worktops: fully cleared and disinfected
Splashback tiles: grease and limescale removed
Behind appliances: dust and grease buildup along walls and floor

Bathroom

Toilet: bowl, rim, seat, lid, base, and behind the bowl
Shower: screen or curtain descaled, shower head descaled, grout cleaned
Bath: limescale removed from taps and overflow, plug hole clear
Sink: taps descaled, plughole clear, cabinet interior wiped
Tiles: grout cleaned, limescale removed
Extractor fan cover: dust-free
Mirrors: streak-free

Living areas and bedrooms

All surfaces dusted including skirting boards, window sills, and shelves
Inside wardrobes and drawers: emptied and wiped down
Light fittings and switches: dust-free
Radiators: front, top, and between fins
Doors and door frames: fingerprints removed
Skirting boards: dusted and wiped along the full length
Marks on walls: minor scuffs wiped where possible

Windows

Interior glass: streak-free
Window sills and tracks: dust and dirt removed from the tracks and frames
Blinds: dusted or wiped down slat by slat
Curtains: either taken down for washing or steamed in place

Floors and carpets

Hard floors: vacuumed and mopped, including corners and under furniture
Carpets: professionally cleaned or thoroughly vacuumed in all directions
Threshold strips: vacuumed and wiped

What's commonly missed (and costs deposits)

Year after year, the same things catch tenants out:

The oven. It's the single most common deposit deduction. Grease baked onto the interior walls and door is not just a surface clean — it requires proper degreasers and time.
Behind and under appliances. Letting agents move the fridge. They will find whatever's behind it.
The top of kitchen cupboards. A thick layer of grease and dust up here is a red flag.
Bathroom sealant. Mould on silicone sealant around the bath or shower can be difficult to remove. In bad cases it may need to be replaced.
Extractor fans. They fill with dust and are almost always forgotten.
Limescale on taps and showerheads. In hard water areas, this builds up fast and needs specific acid-based cleaners.
Marks on walls. Some marks are considered fair wear and tear, but sticky residue from tape, crayon marks, or excessive scuffs are not.

Should you hire a professional?

Many letting agencies specifically require a professional end of tenancy clean as a condition of the tenancy agreement — and will ask for a receipt as proof. Even where it's not required, a professional clean gives you a paper trail and significantly reduces the risk of disputes. Scrubly's end of tenancy cleans are guaranteed: if your agent isn't satisfied, we'll return to re-clean at no charge.

Moving is stressful enough. Hand the cleaning to the professionals and move on with confidence.