The average cost of end-of-tenancy cleaning is around£150 to £490, which is a bit costly for people on a budget. So, are there any tips to keep the prices to a minimum, whether or not you hire a professional cleaner?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at end-of-tenancy cleaning prices and some handy budgeting tips.
👉Related Reading: End of Tenancy Cleaning Laws in the UK
Average End of Tenancy Cleaning Prices
You can expect to pay between £20 to £25 per hour for getting your rented house cleaned before moving out.
However, here’s a round-up of the average end-of-tenancy cleaning charges, depending on the size of your house and the time it takes.
Size of Property |
Hours Required |
Average Cleaning Prices |
Studio Flat or 1-Bedroom House |
4 hours |
£80 - £100 |
2-bedroom House |
4 to 6 hours |
£160 – £180 |
3-bedroom House |
6 to 8 hours |
£220 – £240 |
4 to 5-bedroom House |
8 hours |
£350 |
6 or more bedrooms |
8 or more hours |
£240 to £490 |
End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist
Here is an end-of-tenancy cleaning checklist to help you understand what to expect when you hire professional cleaners.
- Cleaning the kitchen (Cupboards, drawers, counters, appliances, etc.)
- Cleaning bathrooms (Sinks, toilets, bathtubs, tiles, taps, etc.)
- Vacuuming and mopping
- Getting rid of any cobwebs
- Removing all the leftover items and clearing them out of the property.
- Additional services, such as carpet cleaning, pressure washing your driveway, or sprucing up your garden areas.
Why Is End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Important?
End-of-tenancy cleaning is very important as it determines whether you’ll be getting your full deposit back or not.
The majority of landlords expect that the tenant return the property in the same tidy state it was in when they moved on. Otherwise, they can legally deduct cleaning charges from your deposit.
End-of-tenancy cleaning also helps avoid arguments and makes the process of the final inspection quicker. And if you leave a good impression, it can come in handy when you need a reference for future rentals.
Bottom line: a clean exit saves cash, hassle, and guards your rental record!
Factors Affecting End of Tenancy Cleaning Prices
Here’s a breakdown of the factors that can affect the end-of-tenancy cleaning cost:
Size of Property
Cleaning a small studio flat costs £45 per hour, while cleaning a multi-bedroom house can be anywhere from £200 to £500.
Location
If you live in an urban area or big cities like London or Manchester, the rates will be around £200 to £450. However, in smaller towns, the end-of-tenancy cleaning prices are relatively lower, ranging from around £120 to £400.
Services Availed
If you go for basic cleaning, like mopping, vacuuming, and dusting, expect to pay less. But, if you go for additional services like carpet cleaning, deep cleaning of the oven, or cleaning the garden, you will have to pay extra.
Agency or Independent Cleaner
Professional cleaning agencies have varying charges for end-of-tenancy cleaning. If you choose a reputable agency, they may charge higher fees. But small-scale businesses or individual cleaners are likely to charge less, between £12 and £16 an hour.
The Time of Booking
If you book an end-of-tenancy cleaning session urgently for the same day or the next day, the cost will be higher compared to pre-bookings. Also, if you book a service for the weekend or on a public holiday, they will charge extra.
How to Save on End of Tenancy Cleaning Prices?
End-of-tenancy cleaning can be quite overwhelming and costly, but you can save money with some clever strategies.
Here are a few practical tips to help you out:
1. Opt for DIY Solutions
If you're searching for a convenient method to keep your home clean while renting, consider making use of some DIY solutions:
Vinegar and Water Spray
Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this mixture to clean mirrors, degrease kitchen cabinets and counters, remove limescale, and get rid of stubborn stains all around the house.
This mixture can also be used to remove the smell from refrigerators and ovens.
Baking Soda
Combine baking soda and citric acid to scrub toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. And if you have grouty tiles, mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and wipe them with it.
Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and leave for 30 minutes or overnight. Vacuum it out for clean and fresh carpets.
Get Robot Vacuums
When moving out, cleaning an empty home seems a perfect task for robot vacuums. With all your belongings gone, the space is open for a robot vacuum to do the heavy lifting. These smart devices navigate easily, clean thoroughly, and free up your time.
They're not just for daily upkeep, as their smart cleaning technology is a game-changer for end of tenancy cleaning. Here are some Eufy models that can help:
With a powerful 20,000 Pa suction, this robot becomes most effective at deep-cleaning tasks. Before leaving your house, use this robot vacuum to remove all kinds of dirt and debris from different types of surfaces.
Its design allows it to tackle not just floors but also upholstered furniture like sofas. No matter how stubborn the stains turn out, eufy E28 removes them all from carpets, stairs, and chairs to leave the things cleaner for new tenants.
This unique 3-in-1 robot vacuum combines the capabilities of a robot, stick, and handheld vacuums in one device. Thanks to this versatility, users can transition between cleaning floors and furniture at the end of tenancy cleaning.
Its suction power of around 30,000 Pa removes stains that refuse to vanish with basic vacuums. All of these design elements are beneficial for end of tenancy cleaning, where different surfaces and areas require attention.
Recognized by TechRadar and The Guardian, this is one of the best robovacs in the UK. Praised for its powerful 8,000 Pa suction, eufy X10 Pro offers advanced mopping capabilities for end of tenancy cleaning.
Its all-in-one station handles self-emptying and mop washing, which allows tenants to fulfill their other responsibilities. While you are packing, this robot will clean your place without any supervision, thanks to its AI-powered obstacle avoidance.
2. Check Your Tenancy Agreement
Some landlords only ask you to get the carpets and ovens professionally cleaned. Therefore, go through your tenancy agreement and see what’s actually required before spending. If there’s no mention of professional end-of-tenancy cleaning, you may not need to hire one.
3. Hire a Cleaner for Specific Tasks Only
Rather than a package deal, simply arrange for oven cleaning, carpet steaming, and bathroom deep-cleaning assistance. You'll save huge amounts this way.
4. Book Cleaning Services in Advance
Last-minute bookings are usually more costly. So, if you book in advance, you can get discounts or special prices.
5. Look for Local Deals or Freelancers
Do not hire expensive professional cleaners. Instead, search for independent cleaners on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, TaskRabbit, or even your community neighbourhood groups. They charge lower prices and are more flexible with their services.
DIY Vs. Professional End-of-Tenancy Cleaning
Should you opt for professional cleaning services or do it yourself for end-of-tenancy cleaning?
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two to assist you:
Features |
DIY |
Professional End-of-Tenancy Cleaning |
Cost |
Low cost: Only needs some simple cleaning materials. |
High cost: Can be anything from £150 to £490, depending on the size of the property. |
Time Required |
Time-consuming, especially if you’re deep cleaning. |
Quickly, as the professionals get the job done within a few hours. |
Manual Effort |
Requires a lot of physical effort |
No manual effort, as the cleaners handle everything |
Control and Flexibility |
Total control over what and how you clean |
Limited—depends on the service and the checklist they follow |
Robot Vacuums |
Robot vacuums save time and manual effort, cancelling out the cons mentioned above. |
Not commonly used by professional cleaners. |
The Takeaway?
Go for professional cleaning if you want hassle-free, guaranteed results and need to impress picky landlords or agencies.
However, choose DIY cleaning if you’re budget-conscious, have time, and have helpful gadgets like robot vacuums. Robot vacuums not only help you with end-of-tenancy cleaning, but they are a good investment to keep your home clean at all times in the long run!
Conclusion
End-of-tenancy cleaning prices in the UK typically fall between £150 and £490. That can be quite heavy on the pocket for some, but with the right plan, you can budget the cost.
For starters, you should know what tasks are included in end-of-tenancy cleaning. Once you have a checklist, you can go through the options to save on the end-of-cleaning cost. For instance, you can try some homemade cleaning solutions or invest in eufy robot vacuums.
You can also only hire a professional for tasks mentioned in your tenancy agreement or look for independent cleaners in your locality.
If you’re still confused about hiring professionals or doing it yourself, you can compare the pros and cons of both and make an informed decision.
FAQs
How much does end-of-tenancy cleaning cost in the UK?
An end-of-tenancy clean usually costs between £150 and £200 for a one-bedroom flat. For larger properties, the price can go over £400. The total cost depends on how big the property is, how much cleaning is needed, and if you want extra services like carpet or upholstery cleaning.
Is carpet cleaning usually included in end-of-tenancy cleaning services?
Carpet cleaning is often an extra service that may cost more. Check with the cleaning company to see if carpet cleaning is included or if you need to book it separately.
Can I reduce end-of-tenancy cleaning costs by doing some cleaning myself?
Yes, doing simple tasks like removing personal items, dusting, or wiping surfaces before the professional cleaners arrive can reduce the overall cleaning time and potentially lower the cost. You can also invest in robot vacuums to help you clean your house frequently.