London & the M25 / The tenancy handover
End of tenancy cleaning.
Ready for check-out.
The final clean deserves its own plan. Arrange a room-by-room tenancy clean around your move, with oven care included and the practical details settled before the appointment.
- For outgoing tenants, landlords and letting agents
- Equipment and products brought by the cleaning team
- Property, access and any extra treatments agreed in advance
One last look.
A properly considered clean.
The brief is the handover
More than a tidy.
A different sort of finish.
A lived-in home can look presentable while the oven, cupboard interiors and bathroom edges still need work. End of tenancy cleaning is intended for that change of occupancy: a detailed clean of the agreed property rather than the recurring tasks of a weekly visit.
For a tenant, the useful starting point is the check-in inventory and the areas the agent expects to inspect. For a landlord, it is the condition needed before the next occupants arrive. Share those requirements with us. Cleaning can address dirt and deposits; it cannot undo wear, repair damage or determine a deposit decision.
Book for the gap between
moving out and handing over.
The room-by-room brief
Know what
the clean covers.
Move Out Mates publishes a tenancy checklist covering the principal rooms, appliances and accessible details. Use it to identify the work you need, then point out additional spaces or unusual conditions. A small flat with heavy kitchen build-up may need a different plan from a larger, lightly used home.
| Area | Tasks in the published checklist | Points to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | Degrease the oven and hob; clean the microwave, sink and work surfaces | Extra ovens, damaged finishes and unusually heavy deposits |
| Storage & appliances | Wipe cupboards and drawers inside and out; clean emptied appliance interiors | Freezer preparation, fitted units and safe access behind appliances |
| Bath & shower rooms | Clean sanitary fittings, shower glass, mirrors, tiles and accessible pipework | Fragile fittings, failed seals and persistent discolouration |
| Bedrooms & shared rooms | Dust room details, wipe accessible furniture, doors, switches and skirting | Items remaining in rooms and furniture that cannot safely be moved |
| Flooring | Vacuum carpets and clean suitable hard flooring | Specialist extraction, stain treatment or floor restoration |
| Interior glazing | Clean inside glass, accessible sills and frames | Outside panes, blinds and difficult access are separate discussions |
Keep a copy of the complete end of tenancy checklist alongside your inventory. Tell us where your requirements differ before confirming the booking, rather than relying on a broad phrase such as “everything included”.
The kitchen has its own workload.
Make room for the appliances.
Materials before methods
Care for the surface.
Then tackle the mark.
The source checklist includes oven degreasing, bathroom descaling, vacuuming, mopping and internal glass cleaning. The exact product or tool needs to suit the material. Let the team know about stone, coated taps, oiled timber, delicate glass or any care instructions left by the manufacturer.
In professional cleaning generally, cloths, non-scratch pads, suitable cleaning solutions and vacuum equipment are chosen for the task. A small-area compatibility check may be needed on sensitive finishes. Those are examples of sensible practice, not a promise that a particular branded chemical, machine or treatment is included in your booking.
| Surface or deposit | Approach to discuss | Where expectations need care |
|---|---|---|
| Oven components | Suitable degreasing and cleaning of accessible components | Worn enamel, damaged seals and discoloured metal may remain |
| Shower glass & taps | Cleaning soap deposits and appropriate descaling | Acid-sensitive surfaces and plated finishes need care |
| Carpet fibres | Vacuuming for the tenancy brief; assess any separate treatment | Stains can be permanent; extraction is not the same as vacuuming |
| Internal window glass | Glass cleaning with suitable cloths and accessible frame detailing | Scratched panes or failed glazing are condition issues |
| Hard floors | Remove loose grit before cleaning appropriate to the floor | Loose boards, damaged seals and restoration require another brief |
The work starts with access
Give the clean
a clear run.
Try to arrange the appointment after your belongings have left. An empty room allows edges, storage and floor space to be reached without working around packing boxes. If furniture stays, describe it: “unfurnished” and “my belongings are packed” do not always mean the same thing.
Prepare the fridge and freezer in advance, allowing enough time for defrosting in line with the appliance instructions. Contain meltwater safely and do not force ice off. Clear food, toiletries and loose items from the areas to be cleaned. The service is not a substitute for your removals or a separate waste-clearance arrangement.
| Before the visit | Customer action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cupboards & drawers | Remove possessions and food from agreed storage | The interiors need to be accessible |
| Appliances | Empty them and complete necessary freezer defrosting | Frozen interiors and contents restrict cleaning |
| Utilities | Check working electricity, water and adequate lighting | Equipment and cleaning tasks depend on usable supplies |
| Entry & parking | Agree keys, entry codes, parking and any building rules | A team needs a workable route from arrival to the property |
| Special requirements | Send the agent’s checklist and flag fragile items | The quote and work plan should reflect them |
When should the clean happen?
Leave a gap between the move, the clean and the check-out appointment. A finish time depends on the layout, condition, agreed extras and team allocation. Ask for an estimate for your property; avoid booking an inventory inspection against an assumed duration from another home.
Who needs to be there?
You can discuss a key handover if you will be elsewhere. Confirm who authorises access and receives the keys afterwards. Keep a contact number available during the visit in case an access issue or unexpected condition needs a decision.
The quote has a scope
Price the work.
Not just the bedroom count.
Our existing published price guide uses property-size starting bands. A confirmed quote needs more detail: bathrooms, furnishings, condition, appliances, extra spaces and access arrangements. Explain what is in the property now and what will remain on cleaning day.
Use the company’s published price guide for its current starting information, then call to confirm the full scope and amount. The guide below explains the pricing basis; it is not a new fixed-price offer. Ask for parking, congestion and any out-of-hours costs to be clarified before booking.
| Service | From price | What’s included | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-property tenancy clean | Quote required | Agreed room checklist and oven cleaning | Property layout, condition and furnishings affect the quote |
| Extra room or outside space | Quote required | Only the area specifically agreed | Describe a garage, balcony or other additional space |
| Specialist soft-furnishing treatment | Quote required | A separately assessed cleaning treatment | Material, size, stains and drying arrangements matter |
| External glazing | Quote required | The agreed external panes and access method | Internal glass inclusion does not imply outside access |
Some jobs need
a separate conversation.
Add what the property needs
Useful extras.
Clear boundaries.
Choose additional work because a surface needs it, not because a moving package sounds comprehensive. A separate treatment may need different equipment, access or drying time. Mention it early so the services can be coordinated without assuming they share one price or completion time.
| Optional service | When it can help | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet cleaning | A carpet needs attention beyond the tenancy vacuum | Fibre suitability, treatment scope, drying and the separate price |
| Rug cleaning | A loose rug has its own material or care requirements | Construction, backing, colour stability and handling |
| Window cleaning | External glass needs a wash as well as inside detailing | Which panes, safe access and separate charges |
| After builders cleaning | Dust and residue follow recent building work | The affected surfaces and whether tenancy cleaning is the right brief |
If you are remaining in the home and only need selected areas, consider one-off deep cleaning. If moving possessions is the remaining task, discuss home removals separately; a cleaning booking should not be assumed to include carrying or transporting your belongings.
After the work
Check the clean.
Keep the paperwork.
Review the agreed areas while access is still straightforward. Keep the service receipt and the scope you booked, together with any inventory notes. If you think a task was missed, contact the team promptly with the location and a clear description; ask which current service terms apply.
A check-out can also record wear, breakage, missing contents or maintenance issues. Keep those separate from cleaning observations. We do not promise the outcome of an inspection or a deposit decision, and there is no benefit in disguising an existing defect as a removable mark.
| Observation | Useful record | Next discussion |
|---|---|---|
| An agreed area appears unclean | Room, surface and a clear description or photograph | Raise it with the cleaning team promptly |
| A damaged fitting or worn finish | Where it is and any earlier inventory note | Discuss condition with the property manager |
| A specialist treatment was excluded | The original quote and task list | Ask whether another service is appropriate |
| The agent requests evidence of cleaning | Your receipt and agreed service details | Provide the factual paperwork; avoid promising an inspection outcome |
Your booking questions
Before the keys
change hands.
Specific details make for a better booking conversation. If a question concerns the property’s condition or a particular material, describe the surface and what has happened to it.
What makes a tenancy clean different from an ordinary visit?
It is planned around a property handover and a more detailed room checklist, including accessible storage and appliance interiors. A regular visit usually focuses on recurring upkeep. Tell us if the property will still be occupied so the scope can be discussed accurately.
Will you clean a second oven or a large range cooker?
Oven cleaning is included in the published tenancy service, but describe additional appliances and their size when requesting the quote. Do not assume that several ovens or an unusual cooker are covered by an unspecified appliance allowance.
What if the freezer has not finished defrosting?
Let the booking team know before the appointment. A frozen interior can prevent the agreed cleaning from being completed. Discuss the options rather than expecting the cleaners to chip away ice or wait for an uncertain thaw.
Can furniture be moved to clean underneath it?
Describe the pieces that will remain, especially heavy, fitted or fragile items. The source checklist refers to accessible areas and furniture-related tasks, but safe movement of a particular item needs agreement. Empty and protect belongings yourself where needed.
Does a tenancy booking deal with mould and damp?
Flag any affected areas at booking. Surface cleaning does not remove the cause of recurring damp, failed ventilation or moisture ingress. Do not rely on a general cleaning appointment as a diagnosis or a guaranteed mould-remediation service.
Can I add outside windows after the team arrives?
Ask before the booking where possible. Outside glazing can require different access, equipment and scheduling. The team may not be able to add it during an internal clean, even where external window cleaning is offered as a separate service.
What should I tell you about a furnished property?
State what furniture, textiles and personal items will stay, and whether storage units will be empty. This helps distinguish accessible furniture cleaning from separate upholstery treatment, item movement or work obstructed by possessions.
How do I find out whether my postcode and date are available?
Call with the complete postcode, property details and your planned move and inspection dates. Coverage is advertised across London and the M25, but access and appointment availability still need to be confirmed for the individual booking.
London & the M25
Tell us where.
We’ll discuss the when.
Appointments are advertised across London and the M25. Existing area information includes Islington, Wandsworth, Ealing and Canary Wharf. A postcode, parking arrangements and preferred date give the booking team a useful starting point.