Avoid Deductions, Pass the Inventory Check & Get Your Full Deposit Back
When it’s time to move out, cleaning becomes the most important step to protect your security deposit. In the UK, cleaning issues account for over 65% of all deposit deductions according to the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS).
The good news?
Most deductions are easy to avoid if you clean the correct areas the areas UK landlords check first, strictly, and in detail.
This guide will show you exactly what tenants must clean before leaving, so you can walk away with your full deposit safely returned.
Why Cleaning Matters So Much for Your Deposit
Landlords don’t expect the property to look brand new…
but they expect it to be returned in the same clean condition as when you moved in.
That means:
✔ no limescale
✔ no grease
✔ no stains
✔ no dust
✔ no rubbish
✔ no odours
Inventory clerks use a side-by-side comparison with the check-in report, so any area that looks worse — even slightly — can be marked as “not clean enough.”
Top 10 Areas Tenants MUST Clean Before Moving Out (Landlord Priorities)
These are the exact areas UK landlords inspect first during deposit evaluation.
1. The Oven (No exceptions)
This is the #1 deposit deduction in the UK.
Landlords and letting agents expect:
- oven door free of grease
- racks cleaned
- interior polished
- extractor filters cleaned
- hob wiped and degreased
If the oven looks “lived-in,” they will charge £40–£90 for professional cleaning.
2. Bathroom Limescale & Mould
Another major deduction area.
You MUST remove:
- limescale from taps
- limescale from shower heads
- limescale from glass screens
- mould around silicone seals
- soap scum on tiles
- grime in grout lines
Landlords expect the bathroom to look hotel-clean.
3. Carpets & Flooring
You don’t need to replace carpets, but landlords expect:
- vacuumed edges
- no crumbs, dirt or hair
- no stains
- no bad smell
- no pet residue
- mopped hard floors
- clean skirting boards
If there are stains, they will charge £30–£80 per room from your deposit.
4. Inside Kitchen Cupboards & Drawers
This is one of the most forgotten areas.
Before leaving, wipe:
- inside shelves
- outside doors
- handles
- hinges
- crumbs & dust
Agents open every cupboard. Even one sticky drawer can cause deductions.
5. Windows & Ledges
You don’t have to clean the outside unless agreed, but:
- all interior windows must be streak-free
- glass must be polished
- window frames wiped
- ledges dust-free
- blinds dusted
Inventory clerks often mark dust on blinds as “poor cleaning.”
6. Fridge & Freezer (Fully Defrosted)
Frozen compartments or water leaks = instant deduction.
Before leaving:
- unplug the fridge
- defrost freezer fully
- wipe shelves & drawers
- clean rubber seals
- remove all food
- leave doors open to prevent odour
7. Walls, Sockets & High-Level Dusting
Landlords check wall marks and switches carefully.
- remove scuff marks carefully
- clean light switches & sockets
- dust ceilings, cornices & light fittings
- clean cobwebs
8. Furniture (For Furnished Properties)
UK landlords check all provided items:
- sofas vacuumed (under cushions too)
- dining table cleaned
- bed frames wiped
- mattresses clean & fresh
- bedside tables cleaned inside/out
- wardrobes & drawers empty and wiped
Mattress stains can result in a full replacement charge.
9. Rubbish & Leftover Items
Tenants often lose £40–£200 simply because they left:
- old furniture
- bags of rubbish
- broken items
- food in the fridge
- clothes in wardrobes
Removing rubbish is the tenant’s responsibility, not the landlord’s.
10. Odours (Cigarettes, Pets, Food)
Landlords check for bad smells during inspection.
- ventilate the property
- deep-clean carpets if needed
- remove pet hair
- clean bins
- use odour neutralisers
Bad smells = “poor hygiene,” which leads to cleaning charges.
Deep Cleaning Checklist: What Landlords Expect (2025)
Full Property
- dust everything top-to-bottom
- clean skirting boards
- wipe doors & handles
- remove cobwebs
- clean switches & plugs
- wash windows
- vacuum & mop
Kitchen
- oven & hob
- extractor fan
- microwave
- sink & taps
- inside cupboards
- worktops degreased
- fridge/freezer defrosted
- washing machine drum & seals
Bathroom
- toilet disinfected
- bath & shower cleaned
- limescale removed
- mould removed
- mirrors polished
- tiles scrubbed
Bedrooms & Living Areas
- mirrors
- furniture
- wardrobes
- carpets
- blinds or curtains
This is the minimum required to protect your deposit.
Common Mistakes That Cause Deposit Deductions
These are the top cleaning mistakes tenants make:
- Only cleaning what is “visible,” not hidden areas
- Forgetting oven trays
- Leaving fridge doors closed after cleaning
- Not wiping skirting boards
- Ignoring high areas like lampshades
- Forgetting inside drawers
- Not removing limescale from taps
- Forgetting freezer defrost timing
- Leaving rubbish behind
- Not cleaning behind appliances
Fixing these early prevents 90% of deductions.
Should You Hire Professional End of Tenancy Cleaners?
Most tenants now prefer professional cleaning because:
- deposit-safe guarantee
- faster & stress-free
- landlords accept professional receipts
- cleaners know inventory standards
- avoids arguments with agents
- ensures ovens & carpets pass inspection
Professional cleaning costs £130–£250 in Manchester but can save £300–£600 in deductions.
Why Manchester Tenants Trust WinVerse Cleaning
WinVerse Cleaning is rated 4.9★ and is one of Manchester’s most reliable tenancy cleaning companies.
What you get:
- Deposit-back guarantee
- FREE re-clean if landlord isn’t satisfied
- Professional oven cleaning included
- Full checklist-based deep clean
- Friendly, trained, DBS-checked cleaners
- Affordable 2025 pricing
- Available 7 days a week
- Instant booking via call or WhatsApp
Service Areas
Manchester City Centre, Salford, Trafford, Hulme, Old Trafford, Cheetham Hill, Stockport, Prestwich & all Greater Manchester.