End of Tenancy Cleaning Tips to Save Your Bacon

As part of our end-of-tenancy cleaning service in Birmingham and beyond, we often find there are lots of little extra things to be aware of beyond standard cleaning solutions.

These types of cleaning are unique situations with high expectations for a thorough clean for a new person to take over, which often needs to be done quickly and in line with documents such as the tenancy agreement and inventory.

Therefore, here are 10 of our top tips for when you’re in this scenario of end-of-tenancy cleaning:

1. Remember the Rubbish

This tends to mount up more than you might think, particularly once you start digging through cupboards and storage areas. In addition to the usual bin bags of rubbish, you may have old furniture and cardboard boxes, which should be easily removed or agreed to be left.

2. Access all Areas

Every bit counts, whether that’s old storage areas under the stairs or cupboards, and even outside areas and garages. You can also have external patio and car park areas, in addition to the usual internal regions.

You also need to make sure that access to the property is good to go, with any keys and alarm codes easily communicated and agreed with any occupiers or other contractors.

3. Deal with Documentation

This is the key to effective agreement for end-of-tenancy cleaning, as it is the main reason so many rental deposits are queried by landlords and managing agents, who believe the cleaning by the vacating tenant is not up to scratch.

Any tenancy agreement needs careful analysis to determine precisely what is required, and then final Cleaning Checklists and Schedule Checklists are provided to the cleaner.

4. Timing is Key

Quick cleaning right at the very end of the occupation is critical before any formal handover date; therefore, make sure this can all happen in plenty of time.

In addition, allow time for any hiccups and for things to be generally slower amid the current occupants packing and getting ready to leave.

5. High Expectations

The bar is high with what’s expected, particularly from a new tenant or the main landlord.

A vacating tenant may well do a reasonable clean that, under normal circumstances, will suffice. Still, in this context, the extra mile is needed to get everything ensured and to make it look and smell oh-so-clean, fooh-so-cleanccupier.

6. In-Depth Cleaning

This high expectation will need to filter through to actual, deeper cleaning in some cases, not just looking and smelling nice and fresh.

So areas like ovens and appliances in the kitchen may need that extra mile, and additional carpet cleans if there are stains and mess to clear up. Even window cleaning may require a specialist to reach those hard-to-reach areas.

7. Damages & Forgotten Goods

As a cleaner breezes around, they can easily spot things amiss, whether that’s a broken ornament or a tenant’s personal items left somewhere.

In line with any inventory, this can provide helpful feedback to the landlord and managing agent to resolve issues with the outgoing tenant.

8. Short Term Lets

So, in addition to traditional AST lets, there is a whole new area of very short-term, almost overnight lets, particularly through intermediaries like Airbnb.

Therefore, make sure these are understood, and that the workload and frequency are fully accommodated.

9.  Furnishing Right

Okay, at the end of the cleaning, it needs to look pukka. So go the extra mile and make sure it does, whether it’s neatly piled towels in the bedroom, or a vase of flowers in the kitchen.

This, of course, isn’t necessarily the cleaner’s role, but ask anyway, and see if they have any ideas and suggestions.

10. People Count

You have the interests of many people here, from landlords and managing agents to estate agents, actual tenants, and other contractors.

Know who’s involved and who calls the shots, and seek genuinely helpful ways to help others anyway.

Effective End of Tenancy Cleaning

Therefore, before any end of tenancy cleaning is agreed and completed at the end of the lease, make sure the right people are involved, that observance, time-scales, and checklists are documented, and that things are in tip-top condition. This will make sure things run like clockwork and there are no nasty surprises.