The definitive London end of tenancy cleaning checklist. What landlords and letting agents actually check, room by room, to return your full deposit.
If you are renting in London, getting your deposit back comes down to one thing: how clean the property is when you hand it over. Landlords and letting agents in London are thorough — they know exactly where to look. This checklist covers everything they check, room by room.
Kitchen — The Highest Scrutiny Area
Letting agents spend the most time in the kitchen. Miss a spot here and it is the first thing they photograph.
- Inside the oven — every surface, door, and shelf. This is the single biggest deposit deduction point
- Hob and extractor fan — no grease or burnt-on food
- Fridge and freezer — cleaned inside and out, defrosted, switched off with door ajar
- All cupboard fronts — inside and out, including handles and hinges
- Worktops — no stains, crumbs, or sticky residue
- Sink and drainer — polished, no limescale, no debris in the plug
- Floor — mopped, no grime under the fridge or units (they will pull them out)
- Windowsills and frames — dust-free
- Light switches and plug sockets — no marks or fingerprints
Living Room & Hallway
- All surfaces dusted — skirting boards, window ledges, picture rails, shelves
- Floors hoovered and mopped — under furniture, behind doors, in corners
- Carpets — professionally cleaned if stained. Landlords often require receipt proof
- Radiators — dusted between and behind each panel
- Light fittings and switches — no cobwebs or dust
- Windows — streak-free inside and out (ground floor only)
Bedrooms
- Built-in wardrobes — cleaned inside and on top
- Under the bed — vacuumed and dust-free
- All surfaces — window ledges, shelves, skirting boards
- Carpets — hoovered, spot-cleaned
- Curtains or blinds — dusted
Bathroom
- Toilet — cleaned inside and out, including behind the base
- Shower and bath — no limescale, no mould on sealant, glass doors streak-free
- Sink — polished, no toothpaste or water marks
- Mirror — streak-free
- Tiles — wiped down, no soap scum or mould
- Floor — mopped, especially behind the toilet and under the sink
- Extractor fan — dust-free
What Letting Agents Check That Renters Miss
- Inside kitchen cupboards: They open every single one. Crumbs or spills lose points
- Behind white goods: The fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher get pulled out
- Top of wardrobes and cabinets: Dust accumulates there for months
- Under the sink: Leaks, grime, and forgotten rubbish
- Inside the oven: Checked with a torch. Burnt-on food is an automatic deduction
- Blinds: Dust on individual slats is noticed
- Light bulbs: Working bulbs required. Replace any that have blown
End of Tenancy Clean — Book Professional Help
Our end of tenancy cleaning service covers every item on this checklist. Six hours of professional cleaning by a DBS-checked, insured cleaner. All products and equipment included.
Book online in two minutes — if you are not satisfied, we re-clean at no extra cost.
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