Before you start
Compare the property with the check-in inventory and note any cleaning issues that were already recorded. Remove personal belongings, empty cupboards and defrost the freezer before the clean begins. A clear, empty property is faster to clean and easier to inspect.
Keep access, parking and key-return arrangements in one place. If an inventory clerk is attending, confirm the appointment time so the clean can finish before the inspection.
Kitchen checklist
Degrease the oven, hob, extractor and splashback. Clean appliance interiors, including the microwave, fridge and freezer. Wipe inside every cupboard and drawer, descale the sink and taps, clean worktops, switches, sockets, doors, skirting and floors.
Check the less obvious areas: oven racks, extractor filters, the space behind movable appliances, bin cupboards and the top edges of cabinets. These are common inspection points because grease and dust collect there quickly.
Bathroom checklist
Remove limescale from showers, screens, tiles, grout, taps and plugs. Sanitise the toilet, bath and basin, polish mirrors and chrome, clear hair from drains, wipe ventilation covers and finish floors without streaks.
Mould and damaged sealant are not always cleaning problems. Photograph anything that remains after a thorough clean so condition issues can be distinguished from dirt during checkout.
Bedrooms and living areas
Dust from high to low: light fittings, shelves, wardrobes, radiators, skirting and door frames before vacuuming. Clean inside wardrobes and drawers, wipe switches and sockets, clean interior windows and sills, and move lightweight furniture where safe.
Vacuum carpets slowly in overlapping passes. Stains, pet odour or a tenancy requirement may call for hot-water extraction rather than standard vacuuming, so confirm this before the cleaning date.
Final checkout checks
Walk through in daylight, compare each room with the inventory, and take timestamped photos after the clean. Check keys, bins, balconies, storage areas and any furnished items listed in the tenancy inventory.
Keep the invoice, completion report and photos together. They show what was cleaned and make it easier to respond if a specific cleaning point is raised after checkout.