Getting your full deposit back when leaving a rental in Central London often comes down to the checkout inspection. Landlords and letting agents in Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, and the City of London work with strict inventory checklists—and anything missed during cleaning can lead to deductions. This guide covers what professional end of tenancy cleaning involves, what it costs, and which companies serve Central London.
Why Professional Cleaning Matters in Central London
Central London’s rental market is intensely competitive. Landlords frequently use professional inventory clerks who check everything from limescale on tap fittings to grease residue inside oven doors. A standard clean—vacuuming, wiping surfaces, mopping floors—rarely meets these standards.
Professional end of tenancy cleaners follow agency-approved checklists that match what inventory clerks look for. This includes deep cleaning inside appliances, descaling bathroom fixtures, cleaning inside cupboards and drawers, and addressing areas most people miss: skirting boards, light switches, extractor fan grilles, and window tracks.
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords cannot require you to use a specific cleaning company. However, if the property doesn’t meet the cleanliness standard from your check-in inventory, they can deduct cleaning costs from your deposit. A professional clean with an invoice provides evidence that you’ve met your obligations.
What’s Typically Included
Most end of tenancy cleaning services in London include:
Kitchen: Deep cleaning of oven interior (door, racks, trays, back panel), hob, extractor hood and filters, fridge and freezer inside and out, microwave, dishwasher interior, all cupboards inside and out, worktops, splashbacks, sink and taps (descaled), tiles and grout, bins, and floors.
Bathroom: Toilet (including behind and around base), bath and shower (descaled), shower screen or curtain, tiles and grout, sink and taps, mirrors, cabinets inside and out, extractor fan, and floors.
All rooms: Dusting and wiping all surfaces, light fittings and switches, plug sockets, skirting boards, door frames and handles, radiators, inside wardrobes and cupboards, window sills and frames (internal), and vacuuming or mopping all floors.
Usually extra: Carpet deep cleaning (steam extraction), external window cleaning, curtain or blind cleaning, and wall washing. These are often available as add-ons at additional cost.
What It Costs
Prices for end of tenancy cleaning in London have risen in recent years. As of 2025, expect to pay roughly:
Studio flat: £120–£160
1-bedroom flat: £150–£200
2-bedroom flat: £185–£260
3-bedroom flat: £250–£350
4-bedroom property: £320–£450+
These prices typically include oven cleaning but exclude carpet cleaning, which adds £30–£80 per room depending on size and method. Central London prices tend to sit at the higher end of these ranges due to parking challenges, access restrictions, and the premium rental market.
Most companies quote based on property size and layout rather than hourly rates. The cleaners stay until the job is complete—which typically takes 3–6 hours for a standard flat.
Cleaning Companies Serving Central London
Several established companies operate across Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, and the City of London:
Scrubs Cleaning specialises exclusively in end of tenancy and deep cleaning. They cover Camden, Westminster, Islington, Kensington, Marylebone, Mayfair, Paddington, Pimlico, Soho, and Victoria. They offer a 7-day guarantee—longer than most competitors—and provide instant online quotes through their price calculator.
Fantastic Services is one of the larger operators in London, with teams available across all Central London boroughs. They include free oven cleaning as standard and offer a 48-hour re-clean guarantee, extendable to 7 days for an additional fee. They can also bundle cleaning with house removals if you’re organising both.
Cleaning Express has been operating since the early 2000s and works closely with letting agents across London. They offer a 72-hour guarantee and pay their cleaners above the London Living Wage. Prices start from £190 for a 1-bed, 1-bath property.
Cleaner Cleaner is a family-run company established in 2008 with relationships with many Central London estate agents. They offer a 14-day deposit-back guarantee—the longest in the market—and customise quotes based on photos or property listing links.
Samyx Cleaning follows a checklist-based approach specifically designed around what letting agents look for during inventory checks. They offer a 72-hour guarantee and transparent fixed pricing based on room count.
The Happy House Cleaning covers all Central London areas and offers a 7-day guarantee. They can arrange same-day or next-day bookings if you’re in a rush, though availability varies.
Keen Clean offers some of the more competitive rates in London, starting from £118 for smaller properties. They provide same-day booking for urgent situations and include a 7-day guarantee.
Booking and Timing
Most companies recommend booking 1–2 weeks ahead, especially for weekend slots or end-of-month dates when demand peaks. Same-day or next-day cleaning is sometimes available but typically costs more and isn’t guaranteed.
Coordinate your cleaning with your checkout inspection. Ideally, the clean should happen the day before or morning of your inventory check. If there’s a gap of several days between cleaning and inspection, dust can settle and the property may not look as fresh.
Before the cleaners arrive, you’ll need to:
Remove all personal belongings—cleaners can’t deep clean around your possessions, and items left behind may void the guarantee.
Defrost the fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before—frozen units can’t be properly cleaned.
Ensure access is arranged—either be present, leave keys, or arrange collection from your letting agent.
The Guarantee
Reputable companies offer a re-clean guarantee, typically ranging from 48 hours to 7 days. If your inventory check flags cleaning issues within this window, the company will return and address them at no extra cost.
The guarantee usually requires:
The inventory check to happen within 24–48 hours of the clean (some companies allow longer).
Issues to be reported with the official inventory report—not just verbal complaints.
The property to have been empty of belongings during the original clean.
Read the terms carefully before booking. Some companies exclude certain items (like wall marks or carpet stains that won’t lift) from their guarantee.
Do You Actually Need Professional Cleaning?
Not always. If you’ve kept the property in good condition, cleaned regularly throughout your tenancy, and have time to do a thorough deep clean yourself, you may be fine without professional help.
However, professional cleaning makes sense if:
Your tenancy agreement references returning the property to professional clean standards.
The property was professionally cleaned before you moved in (documented in your check-in inventory).
You don’t have time to spend a full day or more on deep cleaning.
You want an invoice to show your landlord as evidence of the work done.
Your deposit is substantial—in Central London, deposits often run into thousands of pounds, making the £150–£300 cost of cleaning a worthwhile insurance policy.
If you’re organising a move and want to coordinate timing between cleaning, removals, and key handover, you can get an instant quote for the transport side to help plan your schedule.
