Professional end of tenancy cleaning - worth the money?

KateLiana27

We will shortly be moving out of a 2-bed flat we have rented for 2.5 years. We keep it pretty clean but the usual suspects (oven, cooker hood, bathroom grouting) are a bit grim. We don't mind paying for a professional deep clean if it will mean getting our deposit back and save us hours of work, but don't want to waste our money. (Our tenancy agreement does not specify that a professional clean is needed, by the way).

My question is - does anyone have experience of paying for an end of tenancy clean, and was it worth it? Did you get your deposit back?

Callie22

I'm never quite sure what 'professional' cleaning means. I've moved into properties that have allegedly been professionally cleaned and they've been horrible. Personally, I wouldn't waste the money and I'd rather spend the time cleaning myself and making sure all of the house (skirtings, lampshades, windows, doorframes etc etc) got realy clean. What I tend to do is a checklist of EVERYTHING in each room that needs cleaning, then tick it off as I'm done (and I've never lost a deposit). I'd rather do that than trust someone else.

I suppose however it comes down to time - if you haven't got it then pay for cleaners. If the oven's really manky then it'd probably be worth getting someone in anyway as that's not a nice job (although Oven Pride is fabulous, and only about £3 a box), but stuff like the cooker hood and grout can be cleaned easily by yourself, get some Dettol mould and mildew, some decent household cleaner, a new filter and with a bit of elbow grease it'll probably be just as good as any professional clean.

gazfocus

We've been thinking about this too. We've got two small dogs so will be looking to buy a carpet cleaner anyway so will use that for carpets but I like Callie22's suggestion of making a list of everything in every room that needs cleaning. Definately a good idea.

Our plan is to get our new home about a month before we need to be out of the old one so it gives us time to 'move out' then we can view the house empty and clean what needs cleaning.

We lost £80 from our deposit on our last home because the landlady didn't think we'd done a good enough job on the oven so may look into hiring a pro oven cleaner

KateLiana27

Thanks guys. I was leaning towards doing it myself for that reason - I can get it to my standards. Checklist for each room is a fantastic idea, will try that! Also the Oven Pride

G_M

Your responsibility is to return the property when you vacate in the same condition as when you moved in. No more, no less.

Oh, except for fair wear and tear.

Ignore anything different to this in the contract.

So - what does the check-in inventory say about the condition of the 'usual suspects'? THAT is how you must leave it. Ideally a sensible landlord will have photos attached to the check-in inventory so there is no possibility of dispute. Without a check-in inventory describing the sate of the items, the LL cannot prove you left them dirtier than you found them, so can make no deduction.

How you achieve this state of cleanliness is entirely up to you. Roll up your sleeves, or pay a Ukranian cleaner.

KateLiana27

Thanks - I checked the inventory and it just says at the top that the flat has been newly decorated so all listed is in excellent condition, followed by a list for each room, with no comments individually on condition except to say that bathroom and kitchen tiles were intact, windows were unbroken, and carpet has furniture indentations in. This was probably fair (husband lived here 18 months before I moved in so I wasn't around to see, but as far as I know everything was in excellent condition). I guess it comes down to how much wear and tear on a newly decorated property is expected after almost 3 years.

We'll roll up our sleeves and give it a good go!

tyllwyd

The one thing I would definitely pay for is a professional oven clean - otherwise you end up paying for bottles of oven cleaner anyway, and have all the hassle of doing it yourself.