Tenancy Cleaning Timeline
From move-in to deposit return, here's exactly when to clean during a Derby tenancy and what each clean covers. A simple visual timeline for renters and landlords.
Derby Cleaners serves homes and businesses across Derby. Eco-friendly products are included, and every booking is covered by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Call 01332 480163 for a clear quote.
Five cleans, one tenancy
Most renters in Derby only think about cleaning twice: when they move in and when they move out. The reality is that a well-managed tenancy involves a few more touchpoints, and getting the timing right is what protects your deposit.
Here is the full timeline we walk Derby tenants and landlords through, from picking up the keys to seeing the deposit back in your account.
- 1
Day 1 — Move-in
Move-in clean
Before you move a single box in
The previous tenant's clean is rarely as thorough as it should be. Booking a fresh move-in clean before your furniture arrives means every surface, cupboard, oven and bathroom is sanitised to your standard, not theirs.
- Inside cupboards, drawers and wardrobes
- Oven, hob, extractor and fridge
- Bathrooms descaled, toilets sanitised
- Floors, skirting and switch plates wiped
- 2
Months 1–11 — Mid-tenancy
Mid-tenancy maintenance
Weekly, fortnightly or one-off
Regular cleaning during your tenancy keeps the property in the condition the inventory was signed in. It also protects your deposit by stopping limescale, oven grease and bathroom mould from building up over months.
- Routine kitchen and bathroom maintenance
- Vacuum, mop and dust throughout
- Optional carpet refresh once a year
- Letting agents often request mid-tenancy cleans
- 3
Final week — Pre-checkout
End of tenancy clean
After your belongings are out
The big one. Booked once your furniture and boxes have left so we can reach behind appliances, inside cupboards and along skirting. We clean to inventory-check standards, the same things letting agents and clerks scrutinise.
- Oven, grill, hob, extractor stripped and degreased
- Limescale removed from taps, tiles and shower screens
- Inside every cupboard, drawer and wardrobe
- Skirting, door frames, switch plates, vents
- 4
Checkout day — Inspection
Inventory inspection
Inventory clerk visit
An independent clerk or your letting agent compares the property against the original inventory. Cleanliness is one of the top three reasons for deposit deductions, so the previous step matters more than people realise.
- Clerk photographs every room
- Notes on cleanliness vs check-in report
- Any shortfall flagged for deduction
- We provide a cleaning report you can share
- 5
Within 10 days — Deposit
Deposit returned in full
Deposit return decision
If everything checks out you get your full deposit back, usually within 10 days. If a cleaning issue is flagged within 48 hours we return free of charge under our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so the inspection result can still be put right.
- Full deposit returned in most cases
- Free re-clean if any issue is flagged in 48 hours
- Cleaning report supports your case in disputes
- No cost to you for the second visit
The same timeline from the landlord side
If you're a landlord or letting agent in Derby, the timeline mirrors the tenant journey but the priorities shift. Your goal is keeping the property let, the deposit dispute-free and the next viewing date as close to the previous checkout as possible.
Pre-let
Move-in clean ready for the new tenant, photos for the inventory.
During tenancy
Optional mid-tenancy clean every 6 months, especially in HMOs.
Post-tenancy
End of tenancy clean within 24-48 hours of checkout.
Re-let prep
Touch-up clean before viewings if the property sits empty.
See our dedicated guides for landlords and letting agents for service packages built around this cycle.
Related guides
End of Tenancy Cleaning
What's included and how we clean
Read moreEnd of Tenancy Checklist
Print-ready room-by-room list
Read moreGetting Your Deposit Back
Maximise your deposit return
Read morePassing Inventory Checks
What inspectors look for
Read moreEnd of Tenancy vs Move-in
Which clean fits your moment
Read morePreparing a Rental for New Tenants
Landlord checklist for re-letting
Read moreHave questions?
We are happy to help. Call us or send an enquiry and we will get back to you.