Inventory-Clerk Approved Cleaning Standards
When a tenancy agreement says the property must be returned to a 'professional cleaning standard', what does that actually mean? It's not a vague phrase. Inventory clerks across the East Midlands work to a recognised checklist, and once you know what's on it, you know exactly what a checkout clean has to cover. This is the standard we work to on every end of tenancy job.
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When a tenancy agreement says the property must be returned to a 'professional cleaning standard', what does that actually mean? It's not a vague phrase. Inventory clerks across the East Midlands work to a recognised checklist, and once you know what's on it, you know exactly what a checkout clean has to cover. This is the standard we work to on every end of tenancy job.
What 'professional standard' really means
The phrase comes from a long-established model in the lettings industry. An inventory clerk inspecting a checkout uses a written framework, and 'professional standard' means the property is returned to a state matching what the clerk would expect from a paid contractor, not a quick personal tidy-up.
In practice that means three things. Every horizontal surface free of dust, including ones you don't normally clean. Every visible joint, seal and edge free of build-up: limescale, mould, grease, food residue. And every appliance and fitting inside the property cleaned, not just the obvious ones. Hob and oven, yes, but also extractor filter, fridge seals, washing machine drawer, the inside of kitchen cupboards.
The kitchen specification
The kitchen is where most checkout time goes, because it's where most deductions originate. This is the spec we work to on a standard checkout clean.
- Oven, fully degreased
Inside walls, base, ceiling, door glass (both sides), seal, racks and trays. Stripped down where possible and cleaned with proper degreaser, not a wipe-over.
- Hob, extractor and splashback
Hob and burners or rings cleaned. Extractor filter removed and degreased separately. Hood and underside of extractor wiped. Splashback tiles and grout cleaned.
- Cupboards and drawers, inside and out
Every internal surface wiped, including the underside of shelves. Handles cleaned. Doors and visible cupboard fronts wiped down.
- Appliances
Fridge and freezer (if landlord's) emptied, defrosted where applicable, internal surfaces and seals cleaned. Washing machine drawer removed and cleaned, door seal wiped. Dishwasher filter checked and cleaned. Microwave inside and out.
- Worktops, sink and taps
All worktops cleaned including under small appliances. Sink scrubbed including the rim and underside of the lip. Taps descaled.
- Floors, behind and under
Floor mopped including under and behind freestanding appliances where access allows. Skirtings wiped.
The bathroom specification
Bathrooms are inspected closely because the issues here (limescale, mould, soap scum) are very visible and unambiguous. The spec assumes the room is empty of personal items.
- Sealant and grout, fully treated
All sealant joints and grout lines cleaned. Mould on sealant treated where it can be without replacement.
- All metalwork descaled
Taps, shower heads, shower screen, toilet flush, towel rail. Limescale removed from every visible chrome surface.
- Toilet, full clean
Bowl inside and under the rim, seat top and bottom, behind and around the base, cistern lid and behind cistern. Flush handle wiped.
- Extractor and ceiling
Extractor cover removed and cleaned. Ceiling checked for moisture marks or mould.
- Mirrors, glass and tiles
Mirror polished. Shower screen cleaned both sides. Wall and floor tiles wiped down.
Living areas, bedrooms and hallways
These rooms are checked for dust on rarely-cleaned surfaces, marks on woodwork, and the condition of soft furnishings and floors.
- Dust on every horizontal surface
Tops of wardrobes, tops of doors and frames, picture rails, light fittings, skirting boards, radiator tops.
- Walls and woodwork
Light marks on walls spot-cleaned where possible. Skirtings, door frames and doors wiped.
- Switches, sockets and handles
All wiped. These accumulate marks from constant touch and stand out when ignored.
- Windows, frames, sills and tracks
Internal glass cleaned. Sills wiped. Window tracks vacuumed and wiped.
- Floors
Carpets vacuumed thoroughly including edges. Hard floors mopped. Stains spot-cleaned.
What we provide as evidence
After every end of tenancy clean we send a written report by email. It lists the property address, date and time, every room cleaned, and the tasks completed against the spec above. We include dated photos of the kitchen, bathroom and oven by default, and other rooms on request.
This report has two purposes. For tenants, it's evidence the property was returned at professional standard, accepted by all major deposit schemes if a dispute is raised later. For landlords and letting agents, it's a documented handover that can be filed against the property record. In both cases, it removes the 'your word against theirs' problem that causes most deposit disputes to escalate.
Related guides
Getting your deposit back
How deposit deductions work and how to protect them.
Learn morePassing inventory checks
What inventory clerks check on the day.
Learn morePre-checkout self-inspection
Walk your property the way an inventory clerk would.
Learn moreAvoiding section 21 disputes
Stop cleaning disputes happening in the first place.
Learn moreEnd of tenancy cleaning service
The clean we work to inventory-clerk standards.
Learn moreWhat is an inventory check?
The role of an inventory clerk explained.
Learn moreHave questions?
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