| End of tenancy cleaning |
| Hi everyone, Ive just come to the end of my tenancy in a rented flat and Im a bit panicked about the cleaning situation. The landlord has already made it clear that the deposit will only be returned in full if the property is left spotless, and I keep hearing horror stories from friends about losing hundreds of pounds because of a dusty skirting board or a streak on the oven door. Thats why I thought Id ask for some advice here about end of tenancy cleaning and whether its really worth hiring a professional service. Part of me thinks I could just do it myself with some effort, but the more I look around the flat the more I realise how much work it actually is. The oven alone looks like it would take me a whole day to scrub. Theres limescale in the bathroom, marks on the walls, and windows that havent been cleaned properly for months. Im starting to feel that unless I bring in professionals, Ill miss something that the landlord will immediately point out. Ive looked at a few companies online and they all promise guaranteed end of tenancy cleaning with a checklist that covers every possible detail. Some even offer to come back free of charge if the landlord isnt satisfied. That sounds reassuring, but the prices arent small in some cases more than £,200 for a one-bedroom flat. Is it really worth it just to protect the deposit? I also wonder how flexible these services are. Do they come with their own equipment and cleaning products, or do I need to provide anything? And how far in advance do you need to book them, especially if youre moving at the same time as lots of students or other tenants? Another worry is trust. When you let strangers into your home to do a deep clean, how do you know theyll actually do a thorough job? Reviews online are mixed some rave about certain companies, others say they did a rushed job and the landlord still deducted money. So my question is: whats been your experience with end of tenancy cleaning? Is it worth paying for peace of mind, or have you managed to do it yourself and still get the deposit back? Id really appreciate any advice because I dont want to make a costly mistake. |