If you are getting ready for an end of tenancy clean, there are a few things you need to do to get the property ready for this clean. An end of tenancy clean is one of the most vigorous and precise cleaning jobs that any property will have. So, when the day of your cleaning session comes around, it is best to have the property ready to go and leave the cleaners to it.
Here is how you should prepare for an end of tenancy clean. We also have a few other FAQs about end of tenancy cleans that should help you plan your cleaning session more effectively.
Preparing for an end of tenancy clean
Check your tenancy agreement
Most tenancy agreements in the UK will state that the property needs to be left in a good enough condition so that new tenants can move in as quickly as possible. However, additional cleaning services may be noted in your tenancy agreement that must be addressed. If the cleaning company you intend to use for your end of tenancy clean does not provide these cleaning services, this can cause problems.
An example of this is carpet cleaning. Some landlords allow pets in their properties if the tenants agree to have the carpets cleaned before leaving. Some tenancy agreements also state that the exterior of the windows should be well-maintained and cleaned regularly.
If these cleaning tasks are not done, your landlord may take money from your deposit for additional cleaning tasks. So, it is worth checking your tenancy agreement to see what cleaning needs to be done. When you book your end of tenancy cleaning session, find a company that does everything, or get the additional cleaning services done by another company.
Plan all cleaning services
A standard end of tenancy clean does not take too long (more on that in a moment). However, there are some cleaning services that must be done after others to ensure they are done correctly. This can include carpet cleaning, for example.
During my end of tenancy clean, most of the cleaning happened one day, and the carpet cleaning happened the next day. This ensured that no further dust was created, and any dust that the cleaners the day before made were cleaned up during the carpet cleaning.
We also had our oven cleaned during our end of tenancy clean, and the cleaner had to come around and pick up the metal racks the day before to soak them. The job was then completed the same day as the end of tenancy clean.
While a standard end of tenancy clean only takes a few hours, additional cleaning services can happen over a few days or once all the other cleaning tasks have been completed. So, try and plan your end of tenancy clean with plenty of time for all the services you require.
Remove everything from the property
Now that you have checked your tenancy agreement and planned all the cleaning services, it is time to get the property ready. Everything that you own should be removed from the property. This ensures that the cleaners are not wasting time needing to move things around or cleaning items that don’t need to be cleaned. It is exceedingly difficult for a cleaning company to do a full, intense cleaning of a property if there is still furniture in there.
End of tenancy cleans FAQs
Do I need to clean a property before an end of tenancy clean?
No, just ensure there is no furniture or any of your belongings on the property when the cleaners arrive. We got lucky with our end of tenancy clean and had about of week where we could move our stuff into our new home before handing over our keys. If you aren’t so lucky, you may want to ask a family member or friend to store your stuff in their garage or consider using a storage company for a few days.
Do I provide the cleaning products and equipment for an end of tenancy?
Most cleaning companies will provide all of the cleaning equipment and products they need to do a full end of tenancy clean. Therefore, no cleaning products or equipment will be required. It is worth double-checking with the cleaning company you intend to use, but most of them provide everything the cleaners need.
How long should my end of tenancy clean take?
This greatly depends on the size of the property and the additional cleaning services that you have. In most cases, though, a standard end of tenancy cleaning takes between two and four hours. If the property is in disrepair, or there is a lot of furniture for the cleaners to move around, it can take up to a day for them to clean the property.
If there are any issues with the property that you feel a cleaning company should be aware of, do let them know when you book your cleaning appointment. They will be able to give a quote for the cleaning work required and a rough time frame of how long it will take.
