Key takeaways
- A professional end of tenancy clean typically costs £150–£200 for a one-bed outside London, and £190–£280 in London and the South East.
- Property size is the biggest driver of price; condition, ovens, carpets and windows come next.
- Your landlord can ask for the property to be returned clean, but under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 they cannot force you to pay for a professional cleaner.
- The check-in inventory, not the landlord's expectations, sets the standard.
Typical prices in 2026
End of tenancy cleaning is priced mainly by the number of bedrooms, because more rooms means more hours. These are typical ranges for a standard clean, compiled from published UK price guides in autumn 2026:
| Property | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | £120–£170 | £150–£230 |
| 1 bedroom | £150–£200 | £190–£280 |
| 2 bedrooms | £200–£300 | £250–£375 |
| 3 bedrooms | £300–£450 | £375–£560 |
| 4 bedrooms | £450–£600 | £560–£750 |
London and the South East usually run 25–40% higher, reflecting travel time, parking and higher wages.
The extras that change the quote
Most quotes start with a base clean and add the jobs that take specialist kit or extra time:
| Extra | Rest of UK | London |
|---|---|---|
| Oven deep clean (single) | £50–£75 | £70–£95 |
| Carpet cleaning, per room | £25–£40 | £30–£50 |
| Interior windows, whole flat | £20–£45 | £30–£60 |
Extra bathrooms, a heavily used kitchen, or a property that hasn't been cleaned in a while will all push the price up. Be honest about the condition when you ask for quotes; it's the single best way to avoid a surprise on the day.
What a proper end of tenancy clean includes
A good end of tenancy clean is far more thorough than a weekly tidy. Expect:
- Kitchen: inside and outside of cupboards, worktops, splashbacks, hob, extractor, sink and taps, appliance exteriors, and the inside of the fridge and microwave.
- Bathrooms: limescale removed from taps, tiles, shower screens and toilet, grout cleaned, mirrors polished, extractor fan wiped.
- Every room: skirting boards, doors and handles, light switches and sockets, window sills and frames, radiators, and floors vacuumed and mopped.
- Inside built-in wardrobes and drawers, which are often forgotten and often checked.
Ask whether the oven, carpets and windows are included or extra, and whether the company offers a re-clean guarantee if the agent spots something within a few days.
Your rights: what the landlord can and can't ask
Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents in England can't charge you for a professional clean or insist you book one. They can ask that the property is returned in the same condition it was let in, allowing for fair wear and tear.
That standard comes from the check-in inventory. If the oven was spotless when you moved in, it should be spotless when you leave. If it wasn't, you shouldn't be charged to make it better than it was.
Any cleaning deduction from your deposit has to be justified with evidence, and you can challenge it free of charge through the deposit protection scheme that holds your money.
How to protect your deposit
- Find your check-in inventory and photos before you start.
- Book the clean for after your furniture has gone, ideally the day before your check-out inspection.
- Take dated photos and a short video of every room once the clean is finished.
- Keep the cleaner's invoice or receipt in case you need to show what was done.
- Attend the check-out inspection if you can, and ask for any issues to be raised on the spot.
DIY or professional?
A careful DIY clean of a small flat can save you £150 or more, but budget a full day and the right products, especially for the oven and limescale. A professional team will usually finish a one or two-bed in three to six hours, bring their own equipment, and many will come back free of charge if something is missed. For larger homes, or if you're short on time, the professional option is often the cheaper one once you value your weekend.
Getting the right price
The fastest way to see what your clean should cost is to compare a few local quotes for the same job. Post your end of tenancy clean on HelloPros for free, describe the property honestly and add a couple of photos, and verified local cleaners will send you their prices to compare.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an end of tenancy clean take?
A one-bed flat usually takes a team three to four hours; a three-bed house can take a full day.
Do I have to use a professional cleaner?
No. In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 means your landlord can't require it. You just need to return the property in the condition shown in the check-in inventory, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Is oven cleaning included?
Often it's an extra, typically £50–£95 depending on size and location. Always check the quote.
What if my landlord deducts money for cleaning?
Ask for evidence, compare it with your check-in inventory, and raise a free dispute through your deposit protection scheme if you disagree.
