The Complete End-of-Tenancy Cleaning Checklist (2026)
Moving out is stressful enough without losing part of your deposit over a missed patch of grease behind the hob. After hundreds of end-of-tenancy cleans across Herefordshire, we've distilled what letting agents actually inspect into a single, printable checklist.
Kitchen: where deposits are usually lost
Inventory clerks almost always start in the kitchen. Ovens, extractor filters and the tops of cupboards are the three areas most commonly flagged.
Pull the oven trays out and soak them in hot water with a biological detergent while you work on the door glass. A paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, left for 20 minutes, lifts baked-on grease without harsh fumes.
Don't forget the rubber door seal on the fridge — wipe it with a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid, then dry it so it doesn't perish.
Bathrooms: limescale is the enemy
Herefordshire's water is hard, so limescale builds up fast on taps, shower screens and around the base of toilets. White vinegar diluted 1:1 with water, applied with a spray bottle and left for 10 minutes, dissolves most deposits.
Check the extractor fan cover — a grey fuzz of dust is a common deduction. Unclip it, rinse under warm water and let it dry before refitting.
Living areas and bedrooms
Vacuum edges and under furniture, then dust from the top down: light fittings, picture rails, skirting boards, then floors. Spot-clean scuffs on walls with a damp Magic Eraser, but test in a hidden spot first — some matte emulsions will mark.
Wash internal windows and mirrors with a microfibre cloth and a splash of vinegar for a streak-free finish.
The final walk-through
Empty every cupboard and drawer, take one last look inside the washing machine drum and detergent drawer, and photograph each room before you hand back the keys. Timestamped photos have saved more than one of our clients from a disputed deposit claim.