Moving house in Cheltenham? do not let the cleaning catch you out
Moving out of a rental property is a stressful business. You have got boxes to pack, movers to organise, and a million other things to think about. In all that chaos, it is easy to underestimate the final clean. But here is a fact. In the UK, cleaning issues are the number one reason for tenants losing some or all of their security deposit. Landlords and letting agents have very high standards, and a quick wipe down the day before you hand the keys back is just not going to be enough.
The key is to bring the property back to the same standard of cleanliness it was in when you first moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. The original inventory report is your guide. To help you tackle this mammoth task and give you the best possible chance of getting your full deposit back, we have put together this room by room checklist. It covers the things that inspectors always look for, but tenants often miss.
The end of tenancy kitchen checklist
The kitchen is the most scrutinised room and requires the most work. Be prepared to spend a lot of time here.
- The oven. This is the big one. It must be cleaned inside and out. That means cleaning the main oven cavity, the grill, and all the racks and trays until they are free of burnt on food and grease.
- The extractor hood. You need to degrease the hood itself and clean or replace the filter inside.
- The hob. All burnt on food and grease must be removed from the hob, and the metal or ceramic surface should be polished.
- Cupboards and drawers. These must be emptied and cleaned inside and out. Remove all crumbs and wipe down the shelves.
- The fridge and freezer. These need to be completely empty, defrosted, and cleaned on all interior and exterior surfaces.
- Other appliances. Clean the inside of the microwave and dishwasher, and wipe down the exterior of the washing machine.
- Surfaces and sink. Clean and sanitise all worktops, and make sure the sink and taps are descaled and polished.
The bathroom checklist
Hygiene is the top priority here. The goal is to make it sparkle.
- Shower and bath. The shower screen must be cleaned and polished, with all limescale and soap scum removed. The bath, plug, and taps should be cleaned and polished.
- Tiles and grout. All wall and floor tiles should be cleaned, and any mould or mildew on the grout should be treated and scrubbed away.
- The toilet. The toilet needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected from top to bottom, including the seat, lid, and base.
- Sink, mirror and cabinets. Clean the sink and polish the taps. The mirror should be streak free, and any cabinets must be cleaned inside and out.
Living areas and bedrooms checklist
The main enemy in these rooms is dust, and it gets everywhere.
- Skirting boards. This is a classic missed spot. All skirting boards must be wiped down to remove dust and scuff marks.
- Windows. You are expected to clean the interior of all windows, including the frames and sills.
- Light fittings and switches. All light fittings and lampshades should be dusted, and light switches and plug sockets should be wiped clean of fingerprints.
- Cupboards and wardrobes. These must be empty and wiped clean on the inside, including any shelves and rails.
- Floors. All carpets must be thoroughly vacuumed, and hard floors must be mopped clean.
The smart choice. doing it yourself vs hiring a professional
Looking at that list, you can see it is a huge amount of work. You can absolutely do it yourself if you have a full weekend to spare and are prepared for a lot of hard scrubbing. However, many people find that by the end of a tenancy, they simply do not have the time or energy to do the job to the required standard. Hiring a professional team is often a wise investment. We have the specialist products and equipment to do the job far more quickly, and we know exactly what letting agents are looking for. Most importantly, when you hire a company like ours, you will get a detailed receipt to prove to your landlord that the property has been professionally cleaned. This can be a huge help in preventing any potential disputes.
If you are nearing the end of your tenancy in Cheltenham, consider our dedicated end of tenancy cleaning service. It is the stress free way to tick the biggest job off your moving list and secure your deposit.
