How much does an end of tenancy clean cost?
The short answer
A professional end of tenancy clean typically costs £165 to £300 for a two-bed and £220 to £400 for a three-bed, with oven cleaning around £50 to £90 and carpets £40 to £80 per room on top. Set against the average deposit deduction, it's usually the cheapest insurance in the whole move - but only if the property was professionally cleaned at the start, or the clean actually reaches agency standard.
What the clean costs by property size
| Property | Typical price | Common add-ons |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed flat | £120 - £220 | Oven £50 - £90 |
| 2-bed | £165 - £300 | Carpets £40 - £80 per room |
| 3-bed house | £220 - £400 | Windows inside £25 - £60 |
| 4-bed+ house | £300 - £500+ | Appliances, balconies priced per item |
London and the south east sit at the top of each band; condition moves the price more than postcode. A property that's been cleaned fortnightly for a year is a different job from one that hasn't seen an oven tray soak since check-in - and quotes that ask no questions about condition are guessing.
Professional vs doing it yourself
The DIY route costs a weekend and £40 of products, and it can absolutely pass - the deposit schemes uphold clean-enough DIY cleans every day. Where it falls down is the places the checklist gets specific: oven interiors, limescale, extractor filters, skirting, inside windows. Professional end of tenancy cleans price those in, work to agency checklists, and - the practical point - most include a re-clean guarantee if the agency flags anything within a set window. If the deposit at stake is £1,200 and the clean is £250, the maths usually argues for the guarantee, and a dated invoice becomes useful evidence if there's a dispute.
Moving out?
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Compare cleaning quotesCommon questions
Is the price per hour or per job?
End of tenancy work is almost always priced per job against a checklist, not per hour - the cleaner carries the risk of it taking longer. Hourly pricing for a move-out clean is a mild warning sign that there's no defined standard attached.
Do I need to do anything before the cleaners arrive?
Empty the property as fully as possible, defrost the freezer 24 hours ahead, and make sure utilities are still on - cleaners need hot water and power. Cleans booked around removals day go smoother the day after the van leaves.
What's a re-clean guarantee worth?
A lot - it means if the agency's check-out inspection flags anything within the guarantee window (usually 48 to 72 hours), the firm returns free. Confirm the window covers your check-out date before booking.
Can the landlord insist on a specific cleaning company?
No. They can describe the standard, not dictate the supplier - and in England they can't require professional cleaning at all, only the check-in standard returned. Any tenancy clause demanding a named company is unenforceable under the Tenant Fees Act.
Sources and further reading