END OF TENANCY CLEANING checklist:

what inventory clerks check

Your check-out is normally assessed against the original check-in inventory. Review it carefully and use it as your guide before cleaning begins.

before you start: Check your inventory

Room-by-room end of tenancy checklist

Work through each area systematically and compare the final condition with your original check-in inventory.

KITCHEN

✓ Kitchen units, cupboards & drawers — cleaned inside and outside

✓ Worktops, splashbacks & wall tiles — cleaned and free from grease

✓ Sink, taps & draining board — cleaned, polished and limescale removed where possible

✓ Hob, burners, pan supports & control knobs — thoroughly degreased

✓ Extractor hood & removable filters — cleaned and degreased

✓ Oven — interior, exterior, racks, trays & glass cleaned

✓ Fridge & freezer — emptied, cleaned inside and outside, including shelves, drawers & seals

✓ Dishwasher — interior edges, filter, door & exterior cleaned

✓ Washing machine — detergent drawer, door, seal & exterior cleaned

✓ Microwave & other provided small appliances — cleaned inside and outside

✓ Bins — emptied and cleaned inside and outside

✓ Skirting boards, doors, handles, switches & accessible surfaces — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Floors — vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned, including accessible edges

BATHROOM

✓ Toilet, seat, lid, cistern & surrounding areas — thoroughly cleaned and sanitised

✓ Wash basin, taps, plughole & surrounding surfaces — cleaned and polished

✓ Bath, shower tray & shower enclosure — thoroughly cleaned

✓ Shower screens, doors, tracks & seals — cleaned and free from soap residue

✓ Wall tiles, splash areas & accessible grout lines — cleaned

✓ Limescale — removed from taps, screens and fittings where reasonably possible

✓ Mirrors, glass & chrome fittings — cleaned and polished

✓ Cabinets, cupboards & shelving — cleaned inside and outside

✓ Towel rails, radiators & accessible pipework — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Extractor vents & accessible fittings — cleaned and dusted

✓ Doors, handles, switches & accessible surfaces — cleaned

✓ Skirting boards & edges — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Floors — vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned, including accessible edges

✓ Bins — emptied and cleaned inside and outside

BEDROOM

✓ Wardrobes, cupboards & drawers — cleaned inside and outside

✓ Bed frames, headboards & accessible surfaces — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Bedside tables, dressing tables & other furniture — cleaned throughout

✓ Mirrors, glass surfaces & fittings — cleaned and polished

✓ Doors, handles, switches & sockets — cleaned

✓ Skirting boards, radiators & accessible pipework — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Window sills, frames & accessible ledges — cleaned

✓ Internal window glass — cleaned where accessible

✓ Light fittings, lampshades & accessible fixtures — dusted

✓ Shelving, pictures & decorative surfaces — dusted and wiped

✓ Carpets and floors — vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned

✓ Accessible areas behind and beneath furniture — cleaned

✓ Bins — emptied and cleaned inside and outside

LIVING AND RECEPTION ROOMS

✓ Furniture, tables, shelving & accessible surfaces — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Sofas, armchairs & upholstered furniture — vacuumed and surface-cleaned where applicable

✓ Cabinets, cupboards & drawers — cleaned inside and outside

✓ Mirrors, glass surfaces & decorative fittings — cleaned and polished

✓ Doors, handles, switches & sockets — cleaned

✓ Skirting boards, radiators & accessible pipework — cleaned and dust-free

✓ Window sills, frames & accessible ledges — cleaned

✓ Internal window glass — cleaned where accessible

✓ Light fittings, lampshades & accessible fixtures — dusted

✓ Pictures, ornaments & decorative surfaces — dusted and wiped

✓ Carpets and floors — vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned

✓ Accessible areas behind and beneath furniture — cleaned

✓ Bins — emptied and cleaned inside and outside

HALLWAYS & STAIRS

Floors and stairs vacuumed/mopped; skirting boards, bannisters, doors, handles, switches and accessible ledges cleaned.

WINDOWS & GLASS

Internal window glass, frames, sills and accessible tracks cleaned; mirrors and internal glass doors polished.

CARPETS, RUGS & FURNISHINGS

Carpets and rugs thoroughly vacuumed; upholstered surfaces vacuumed where applicable. Specialist extraction cleaning only where separately booked.

BALCONIES & OUTSIDE AREAS

Rubbish removed; accessible floors, railings, doors and outdoor furniture cleaned where these areas form part of the tenancy.

At check-out, the inventory clerk compares the property with the original check-in report and records any significant changes.

WHAT INVENTORY CLERKS ACTUALLY CHECK

The exact report may vary, but these are six areas commonly assessed during check-out.

cleanliness

Compared with the standard of cleanliness recorded at check-in. Surfaces, appliances, bathrooms and floors may all be assessed.

Condition

Fixtures, fittings, furniture and finishes are compared with the original inventory. Normal wear and tear is considered separately when responsibility is assessed.

Missing Items

Furniture, appliances, accessories and other inventory items are checked against the original check-in report.

damage

New damage, marks or deterioration beyond reasonable wear and tear may be recorded and photographed.

keys & access Items

Keys, fobs, remotes, parking permits and other access items should be returned as required.

Meter readings

Final electricity, gas and water readings may be recorded at check-out where applicable.

IMPORTANT
Inventory procedures and landlord or managing-agent requirements can vary. Always check your tenancy agreement, original check-in inventory and any check-out instructions provided for your property. This checklist is intended as general guidance and does not replace the specific terms of your tenancy.

RELATED INFORMATION

Helpful information about the service, cleaning day, timing and pricing.

End of Tenancy Cleaning →

What Happens on Cleaning Day →

How Long Does an End of Tenancy Clean Take? →

Price Guide →