How long does an end of tenancy clean take?

It depends on the size and condition of the property. A small flat can take a few hours, a larger family home with an oven, carpets and a garage can take a full day or more. We confirm the time when we quote.

Should the oven be cleaned at the end of a tenancy?

Yes. The oven is one of the first things landlords and inventory clerks check, so it is worth cleaning properly or adding a professional oven clean.

Do you clean military housing at move-out?

Yes. We help service families with move-in and move-out cleans around Thetford, Brandon, Lakenheath and Mildenhall.

When should I book an end of tenancy clean?

Book it for after your belongings have gone and before the inspection or key handover, ideally with a little time in between in case anything needs another look.

End of Tenancy Cleaning Checklist (Thetford Guide)

Moving out is busy enough without worrying about the deposit. The good news is that the standard landlords and letting agents expect is predictable: the property should be as clean as it was when you moved in, as recorded in the check-in inventory. This checklist covers what gets looked at, room by room, so nothing is missed.

If you would rather hand it over to someone else, our end of tenancy cleaning covers tenants, landlords, letting agents and service families across Thetford, Brandon, Lakenheath, Mildenhall and the wider Norfolk and Suffolk area.

Before you start

Find your check-in inventory. It is the benchmark. Photos of how the property looked on day one tell you exactly what standard you are working to.
Clean last. Do it after the furniture and boxes have gone, otherwise you clean twice.
Work top to bottom. Dust falls, so start with high surfaces and finish with floors.
Leave time before the inspection. Even an hour gives you a chance to catch anything you missed.

A cleaning checklist on a clipboard with folded lavender cloths, a spray bottle and house keys on a kitchen worktop — Work through the property with the check-in inventory to hand.

Kitchen checklist

The kitchen is where most cleaning deductions come from, because grease and limescale build up quietly over a tenancy.

Oven inside and out, including racks, trays, the glass door and the seal
Hob and extractor hood, including the filter
Inside and outside every cupboard and drawer
Fridge and freezer emptied, defrosted, cleaned and left with the door ajar
Washing machine drawer and door seal, dishwasher filter
Sink, taps and draining board descaled
Worktops, splashbacks, tiles and grout
Light switches, sockets and door handles

Ovens are the single item inspectors open first. If yours has years of build-up, a dedicated oven clean is usually quicker and better than an evening of scrubbing.

Onyx cleaner polishing the glass door of a freshly cleaned oven — The oven is one of the first things a landlord or inventory clerk checks.

Bathroom checklist

Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
Bath, shower tray and screen descaled, with no soap scum
Tiles and grout cleaned, and any mould on sealant treated
Taps, shower head and plug holes descaled
Mirrors and glass streak free
Extractor fan cover dusted
Cabinets wiped inside and out

Living rooms and bedrooms

Skirting boards, door frames and doors
Windows inside, window sills and frames
Light fittings and lampshades dusted
Radiators, including behind them where you can reach
Inside wardrobes and built-in storage
Marks on walls spot cleaned (gently, to avoid patches)
Carpets vacuumed thoroughly, including the edges

Carpets are a common sticking point. If yours are marked or the tenancy agreement asks for them to be professionally cleaned, our carpet and upholstery cleaning can be added to the end of tenancy clean.

Hallways, stairs and the rest

Stair banisters and spindles
Front and back doors, letterbox and door furniture
Cupboards under the stairs and airing cupboards
Bins emptied and cleaned
Any garage, shed or outbuilding swept out, if they were included in the tenancy

The areas inspections pick up most

Deposit protection schemes regularly report cleaning as one of the most common reasons for deposit disputes. In practice the same few areas come up again and again: ovens, limescale in bathrooms, grease on extractor hoods, dust on skirting boards and inside cupboards, and carpets. Give those extra time and you have covered most of the risk.

Military housing move-outs

Families moving out of service housing around Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Brandon and Thetford often face a set inspection date and a short window after the removal lorry leaves. Booking the clean for the gap between removals and inspection takes one big job off the list. Our military housing move-out cleans are planned around that date.

For landlords and letting agents

Between tenants, a void property needs to be ready for photos and viewings quickly. We clean void and turnaround properties for landlords and agents, and can combine the clean with oven and carpet cleaning or a top to bottom deep clean where the last tenancy has left more to do.

DIY or professional?

Doing it yourself saves money if the property is small, has been looked after and you have time on your side. A professional clean makes sense when you are short of time, the oven or carpets need specialist attention, or you simply want it off your plate on moving day. Either way, use the checklist above as your standard.

Our end of tenancy cleans start from £145 for a 1 bedroom property, £175 for 2 bedrooms, £225 for 3 and £295 for 4, for an empty property in reasonable condition. A standard oven clean is included. Want a price? Ask for an end of tenancy quote with the number of bedrooms, your town and your move-out date. You can also see the areas we cover.

End of tenancy cleaning checklist: what landlords and agents check