London's #1 End of Tenancy Specialists
Do You Really Need to Pay for
End of Tenancy Cleaning?
Do You Need to Pay for End of Tenancy Cleaning?
One of the most common questions tenants ask is whether they are legally required to pay for a professional cleaning service at the end of their tenancy. Many potential customers contact us, confused because their landlords insist that such a payment is mandatory. In this article, we’ll clarify this issue and provide tips to help you ensure you receive your full deposit back from your landlord.
Is End of Tenancy Cleaning Mandatory?
In short, no! Tenants cannot be obligated to hire a professional cleaning company for their move-out clean. If a tenancy agreement includes such a requirement, it is legally void and cannot be enforced. However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the importance of cleaning your property thoroughly before moving out. To increase your chances of receiving your full deposit back, continue reading!
While landlords can’t enforce payment for professional cleaning services, you must return the property in the same condition you found it (allowing for normal wear and tear). If you fail to do this, the landlord may retain part or all of your deposit to cover the costs of a professional clean. This can lead to unexpectedly high deductions from your deposit!
Landlords can choose any cleaning provider they wish, often selecting the most expensive one to ensure a thorough job. To minimize their own effort and maximize rental income, they may pay a premium for same-day or next-day service.
Beware: Some cleaning companies have close ties to landlords and estate agencies, charging exorbitant fees for same-day cleaning services that you’ll end up paying for if your own cleaning falls short.
In fact, the costs for tenants can be significantly higher than if they had hired a cleaning service directly. For instance, while a professional cleaning for a basic two-bedroom, one-bath property might cost around £205 (the London market average), landlords often deduct over £500 from tenants’ deposits when they arrange the cleaning.
Is Professional Cleaning as Easy as It Sounds?
Many tenants underestimate the difficulty of cleaning to a professional standard. Specialized equipment may be necessary to tackle challenging tasks such as cleaning carpets, ovens, extractor fans, and appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Areas that seem easy to clean, like windows, taps, and skirting boards, can be challenging to get right without the proper detergents or experience.
When we founded Scrubs, we thought basic cleaning skills would suffice for End of Tenancy cleans. However, we quickly realized this is not the case! Our cleaning teams now include a Team Lead with at least five years of cleaning experience—often over ten years.
Can I Save Money by Cleaning Myself?
We understand that professional cleaning services can be costly! If you choose to clean your property yourself, remember that nobody can force you to hire a cleaning service. Just be sure to allocate enough time, as it often takes longer than expected. Invest in high-quality cleaning products to maximize your chances of meeting the required standards.
However, be aware of the risks involved. Your landlord might skip the inventory check, but many will conduct one, especially if you rented through an estate agent. If you decide to take the DIY route, good luck! If you need advice on the best cleaning supplies, feel free to reach out to us.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Company
Choosing a professional cleaning service not only helps ensure you get your deposit back, but it also reduces your stress during what can be a hectic time. Reputable cleaning providers typically offer guarantees, promising to return if anything is missed. However, be cautious—many companies make this claim without fulfilling it. Always check reviews to ensure you choose a provider with a solid reputation to avoid having to pay for two cleaning sessions.
Hiring professionals also saves you time. As discussed, achieving a professional-level clean can be time-consuming for those without experience. If you’re on a tight schedule, hiring a professional can be a wise investment.
Conclusion
In summary, you are not obligated to pay for a professional clean at the end of your tenancy. It’s crucial to know your rights—any requirement added to a contract is void. However, if the property is not returned in good condition, landlords may use your deposit to cover cleaning costs, often at rates significantly higher than necessary. Therefore, we recommend doing your research and hiring a well-reviewed End of Tenancy cleaning specialist. This choice is likely to save you time, money, and a lot of stress!
Address
30, Delaware Rd, Maida Vale, London, W9 2LH
Contact Details
020 8146 8571
customer.support@scrubscleaning.co.uk