Tenancy Checkout, Done Right – What Inspectors Check And How To Prove It

Get your full deposit back by preparing smartly for the final inspection. Focus on what landlords actually check – kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, and walls, and photograph rooms before and after cleaning. Remove limescale on taps and showers, and keep invoices for supplies or any professional help. Schedule the walk-through a few days before your tenancy ends and plan to attend.

Key Takeaways

• Target 4 focus zones – kitchen, bathrooms, carpets, walls.
• Match two documents – check-in report and tenancy agreement.
• Avoid skipping before-and-after photos for each cleaned room.
• Recheck every room on inspection day for missed spots.
• Book end of tenancy cleaning in London if overwhelmed.

In this article:

• Key Takeaways
• Assess Final Tenancy Inspection Standards Against The Inventory
  • What Is Expected From An End Of Tenancy Clean?
  • Read The Check-In Report Like An Inspector
  • Set Pass-Fail Thresholds For High-Risk Zones
  • Map Hotspots To A One-Day Action Plan
• Document Cleaning Outcomes For The Tenancy Checkout Inspection
  • Capture Before-And-After Photos That Match Inventory Angles
  • Label And Store Receipts And Invoices
  • Build A Single Inspection Pack For Fast Review
• Resolve Minor Repairs And Hygiene Issues Before The Deposit Return Inspection
  • Do Tenants Need To Deep Clean?
  • Fix Fast Faults Inspectors Notice
  • Treat Limescale And Residue Safely In Hard Water
  • Confirm Function Checks Before Handover
• Decide DIY Or Professional Help For The End Of Tenancy Cleaning
  • Estimate Time And Risk For Your Property Size
  • Use The Decision Table To Pick A Route
  • Book Professional End Of Tenancy Cleaning When Time Or Risk Is High
• Schedule And Attend The Final Walk-Through For The Tenancy Checkout Inspection
  • Book The Inspection 2-3 Days Before Key Return
  • Present Your Inspection Pack And Handle Questions In Real Time
  • Record Post-Inspection Actions And Deadlines In Writing
• Conclusion
• FAQ
  • Can a landlord require a specific cleaning company for checkout in the UK?
  • What proof is accepted if I complete end of tenancy cleaning myself?
  • How far in advance should cleaning be completed before the tenancy checkout inspection?
  • The agent says DIY won’t be accepted without an invoice. What are my options?
  • Can I be charged for limescale or marks that were already there at move-in?
  • What happens if issues are found after keys are returned?

Assess Final Tenancy Inspection Standards Against The Inventory

Inspectors pass properties that match the check-in inventory on cleanliness and condition, room by room. Read the paperwork like an auditor, decide what “clean” means for each surface, and plan time where failure is most common in London flats. Use the inventory as the inspection checklist for tenants so the judgement is consistent and defensible.

What Is Expected From An End Of Tenancy Clean?

Lettings agents expect every area to present as at move-in with fair wear only and no hygiene risks. Surfaces must be grease-free on touch, glass should show no streaks at 1-2 metres in normal light, fixtures need to work without sticking, and flooring must be vacuumed edge-to-edge with visible dust lines removed. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the most weight, followed by walls, woodwork, and flooring; limescale on taps and screens in hard water areas draws immediate attention. Acceptance is judged against the inventory notes and photos.

Read The Check-In Report Like An Inspector

Start by matching the inventory’s order and camera angles. Highlight any “new at move-in” notes for appliances, sanitaryware, and paintwork, because those items are usually checked more strictly.

Mark allowed wear separately from damage – a light scuff near a desk is wear, a gouge or chipped enamel is damage that triggers a different process. Where the inventory gives limited description, write a pass test you can demonstrate: door tops dust-free on swipe, extractor filters free of visible grease, tile grout free of soap film on fingertip.

Pro tip: stand where the agent will, such as the doorway or window line, and use daylight first, then a cool-white torch at 30-45 degrees to reveal residue.

Set Pass-Fail Thresholds For High-Risk Zones

Define what “done” looks like before you start; it saves rework during the walk-through.

• Kitchen worktops wipe clean on dry tissue with no smearing
• Oven interior free of baked-on carbon; racks bright to bare metal
• Hood filters degreased; no drip on squeeze
• Fridge seals debris-free; shelves clear and odour-neutral
• Bathroom taps and screens free of limescale bloom; smooth on touch
• Toilet under-rim free of mineral line; hinge area clean on cotton bud
• Wall marks removed where safe; filled nail holes flush and colour-matched
• Skirting dust-free top edge; no debris behind doors and under radiators

Add a simple functional check where relevant – fan extraction felt at hand, cistern refill within 30-60 seconds without continuous running, hob igniters fire reliably. If you cannot pass these tests after one cycle, plan a second pass for just the failed items rather than reworking the whole room.

Map Hotspots To A One-Day Action Plan

Allocate time where deductions usually happen. In a typical 1-bed flat, allow 90-120 minutes for kitchen including appliances, 60-90 minutes for bathroom, 30-45 minutes for dusting and woodwork, and 30-45 minutes for floors and edges. In a 2-bed, add 20-30 minutes per extra room for walls, woodwork, and storage. Sequence heavy soils first so dwell times can work while you dust and detail elsewhere; finish with glass and floors to avoid fresh marks. Keep a recheck window at the end for any items that failed your own tests; mark those on a doorframe note so you do not miss them during the walk-through.

Close the section by saving your pass tests and timings alongside the inventory. When the agent arrives, you can show exactly how each room meets the documented standard.

Document Cleaning Outcomes For The Tenancy Checkout Inspection

Clear evidence wins deposit disputes. Build a photo record that mirrors the inventory and bundle receipts so an agent can verify work in minutes. Aim for 6-10 photos per room at 12 MP or higher, mixing wide frames and close-ups that show surfaces free of visible soil.

Capture Before-And-After Photos That Match Inventory Angles

Photos must allow like-for-like comparison with the check-in set. Frame wide shots from doorway and room centre at 1.5-2.5 metres, then add close-ups for taps, hobs, grout lines, and seals. Keep framing consistent between before and after, and shoot in natural light where possible to avoid glare. If glass or steel flares, angle the camera 15-30 degrees or reduce exposure by 0.3-0.7 EV to keep residue visible. Timestamp every image; retain EXIF data.

Pro tip: include a neutral card or sheet of paper in one frame per area to stabilise white balance across the set.

Label And Store Receipts And Invoices

Receipts back up the work and materials used. Capture clear scans at 300 dpi for cleaning agents, pads, bags, blade refills, and any equipment hire. File names should read cleanly for an agent – date, area or item, supplier, and purpose, for example “2025-09-18_bathroom_limescale_remover_receipt.jpg”. For any contractor assistance, include company name, date, scope line, and contact. Retain product labels for pH or material compatibility notes where relevant to surfaces such as chrome, enamel, or stone.

Build A Single Inspection Pack For Fast Review

Assemble one pack so the agent can validate rooms quickly and without digging through folders. Order materials to match the inventory and keep before-after pairs adjacent. Add a short cover note that states property address, inspection date, and any minor repairs completed, then export a single PDF or zip so the set is easy to share.

• Create top-level folders per room that mirror the inventory order
• Place “before” then “after” photos, wide first and detail second
• Name files consistently – 01_kitchen_sink_after_2025-09-18.jpg
• Add a receipts folder with scans and a simple index text file
• Safety check – review that EXIF timestamps and room labels align with real areas

Close by keeping the pack ready 24-48 hours before handover, then re-shoot any areas you re-clean so the “after” set stays current and defensible.

Resolve Minor Repairs And Hygiene Issues Before The Deposit Return Inspection

Minor faults and hygiene misses trigger deductions more often than heavy soil. Clear them in one sweep and judge work against inspection tests, not effort. Keep choices surface-safe and measurable so the tenancy checkout inspection runs smoothly.

Do Tenants Need To Deep Clean?

Inspectors judge condition against the check-in inventory rather than a label on the work. Focus on visible soils, odour sources, and function checks in high-risk areas and use pass tests the agent can repeat. Where heavy build-up exists, target only the items that would fail a visual or touch test and document the change with before-after photos.

Fix Fast Faults Inspectors Notice

Small repairs remove easy reasons to fail a room. Prioritise items that catch the eye or hand during a walkthrough.

• Replace failed bulbs and fit matched colour temperature
• Tighten loose handles and hinges so doors close flush
• Fill pin holes and touch in with matched paint where safe
• Reseat or replace tired silicone on short runs around sinks
• Swap torn WC seat buffers and refit caps
• Safety check: isolate power or water before disassembly and test operation after reassembly

Pro tip: run a fingertip line along door tops and skirting before photos to confirm dust-free edges.

Treat Limescale And Residue Safely In Hard Water

Lime bloom around taps, screens, and grout reads as neglect in London flats. Use an acidic descaler at pH 2-3 with a 3-7 minute dwell on chrome and glass, agitate with a non-scratch pad, then rinse and neutralise with a mild detergent.
If the surface is natural stone or acid-sensitive enamel, switch to a neutral cleaner at pH 7 and a plastic scraper, then polish dry with 320-400 GSM microfibre.

Failure signals include white haze on glass, rough tap aerators, and gritty grout. Correct by repeating a shorter dwell and finishing with a dry buff to prevent water spotting.

Confirm Function Checks Before Handover

A clean room still fails if fixtures do not work as expected. Run quick, repeatable tests and note outcomes for the agent.

• Cooker hood airflow holds a sheet of tissue for 2-3 seconds on speed 2
• Hob burners light within 1-2 seconds and stay stable at low flame
• Tap aerators run clear within 10 seconds after removal and flush
• Shower screen beads water evenly after descaling with no drag on squeegee

Pro tip: record short clips for borderline items so the inspector sees operation as you found it.

Close by logging what you repaired and cleaned so the evidence ties to each room in the inventory. If anything still risks a deduction on time or tooling, escalate early in your plan rather than chasing it at the walk-through.

Decide DIY Or Professional Help For The End Of Tenancy Cleaning

Choose the route that meets checkout standards on first review. Weigh hours, soil level, and equipment gaps against the property size and deadline. Use simple pass tests and realistic ranges before committing to DIY.

Estimate Time And Risk For Your Property Size

Base the plan on rooms, soils, and access. Studios with light use fit into 3-4 hours of focused work. A typical 1-bed with appliance interiors and a limescale-prone bathroom needs 5-7 hours. Most 2-beds require 7-10 hours when ovens, shower glass, and inside cupboards are included. Add 30-45 minutes where parking limits loading or rubbish runs. Risk rises with baked-on oven carbon, etched shower glass from hard water, nicotine film, pet odour, or mixed wall touch-ups. If two or more high-risk items remain inside a 48-hour window, professional help is the safer call.

Use The Decision Table To Pick A Route

Scenario	Time needed	Deposit risk	Equipment required	Expected outcome	Documentation confidence
Studio, light soil	3-4 hours	Low	Neutral cleaner, glass cleaner, 320-400 GSM microfibre	Likely meets checkout on first review	High with matched photo angles
1-bed, greasy oven + limescale	5-7 hours	Medium	Alkaline oven gel, acidic descaler pH 2-3, scraper, non-scratch pads	May need a targeted recheck	Medium if before-after pairs are clear
2-bed, pets + wall marks	7-10 hours	Medium-high	Enzymatic deodoriser, touch-in paint, HEPA vac	Meets standard if odour and marks resolve	Medium with odour log and photos
Any size, short on time (<48 hours)	2 cleaners for 3-5 hours	Low-medium	Trade tools on van, waste handling	Higher chance of one-and-done clean	High with work report and invoice

Choose the row that mirrors your property and soils, then commit. If you sit between rows, plan a short second pass for just the stubborn items rather than reworking whole rooms.

Book Professional End Of Tenancy Cleaning When Time Or Risk Is High

Two quick checks tell you when to escalate. First, if pass tests still fail after a second cycle, output will not improve without stronger chemistry or tools. Second, if remaining hours are less than one full pass of kitchen and bathroom plus a recheck window, deductions become likely.

Pro tip: get appliance interiors and limescale treatment confirmed in writing so the scope covers common checkout points.

Wrap the decision by matching hours and risk to the outcome you need. If you want the safe route, you can book end of tenancy cleaning in London and cover the checkout standard in one visit.

Schedule And Attend The Final Walk-Through For The Tenancy Checkout Inspection

Book the appointment with a small buffer, arrive with a tidy evidence pack, and agree any follow-up in writing. Aim for a focused 15-30 minute review, room by room, using the check-in inventory as the yardstick for end of tenancy cleaning.

Book The Inspection 2-3 Days Before Key Return

Set the date early so there is time to correct any findings. Confirm access window, key handover point, lift or parking constraints, and whether appliances and outdoor areas are included. If the agent cannot meet within 48 hours of move-out, ask for the slot 2-3 days before key return so you still have a working day to address small items. If you discover a new issue during prep, reschedule by 24 hours rather than rushing a fix that may fail on review. I carry a simple agenda with time blocks per room so the visit stays on pace.

Present Your Inspection Pack And Handle Questions In Real Time

Lead with the inventory order so comparisons are easy. Open each room with a wide photo taken from the doorway, then show paired before-after frames for high-risk points such as oven interiors, shower glass, taps, grout lines, and skirting tops. Keep receipts and product labels ready if surface compatibility is queried, for example acidic descaler used on chrome and neutral cleaner on stone.

Acceptance cues are practical and repeatable – glass that reads clear at 1-2 metres in normal light, worktops that wipe clean on a dry tissue without smearing, extractor filters free of visible grease, and taps that run smoothly after aerator flush.

If the agent uses a torch at a shallow angle and sees haze, replicate the angle and either buff dry or log a short rework plan on the spot.

Pro tip: keep the evidence pack offline on a tablet so photos and timestamps load instantly in buildings with poor signal.

Record Post-Inspection Actions And Deadlines In Writing

Close each room by asking whether it is accepted or pending. For any pending item, write one line that names the room, the fail point, the remedy, and the deadline, for example bathroom screen haze to be re-buffed and re-shot by 18.00 tomorrow. Request an itemised list for anything that could affect the deposit and ask for acceptance wording such as accepted subject to the noted items by the stated time. If feedback is verbal only, read back the actions and send a brief confirmation with the same wording so both sides have a record. Where a recheck is needed, agree the method in advance, either photo confirmation or a short revisit, and keep the updated photos paired to the original angles.

Close the walk-through by confirming keys, meter readings if relevant, and how final confirmation will be sent. A booked slot with clear evidence and written actions reduces disputes and keeps the deposit process moving.

Conclusion

Treat the last day as control work, not heavy lifting. Lock three variables and the checkout tends to pass cleanly – time blocks, chemistry choice, and evidence discipline. Set short windows for fixes, keep exposure under 4 minutes when testing stronger products, and default to neutral pH on unknown surfaces or mixed finishes.

Use simple if-then rules to stay out of trouble. If two high-risk items remain and you have under 2 hours, prioritise the one that shows in photos first and defer anything that needs curing time. If a squeegee drags on dry glass, lower product load by half and switch to a fresh cloth rather than pushing harder. If odour returns after 10 minutes of ventilation, isolate the source and remove it instead of masking.

Run a two-stage cadence and freeze the record. Do a controlled check 12-24 hours before handover to catch slow setbacks, then a final pass 45-60 minutes before keys under the same lighting the agent will use. After any correction, replace cloth sets and capture new frames so the evidence aligns with the property state at release.

• Time-box fixes to focused 20-30 minute blocks
• Keep test dwells under 4 minutes each
• Default to neutral pH on unknown finishes
• Replace cloth sets after any correction
• Photograph only items changed since last pass

FAQ