Summary
- Cleaning is the most common cause of deposit deductions.
- Budget $200–450 (US) or £150–350 (UK) for a two-bedroom home.
- Book the clean when the property is empty, before the final inspection.
- Only book companies that include a free re-clean guarantee.
Quick answer
An end-of-tenancy clean covers the whole property top to bottom, including inside the oven, fridge, cupboards and windows. Expect $200–450 in the US and £150–350 in the UK for a two-bedroom home, more if carpets or an oven deep-clean are added.
Why it matters
Cleaning is the single most common reason deposits are withheld. Landlords and letting agents compare the property against the inventory taken on move-in, so the standard you are judged against is the condition you received, not "reasonably tidy".
Room-by-room checklist
Kitchen
Bathroom
Living areas and bedrooms
Everywhere else
What it costs
| Property | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed | $150–280 | £110–200 |
| 2 bed | $200–450 | £150–350 |
| 3–4 bed | $350–700 | £250–500 |
| Carpet cleaning (add-on) | $40–80 per room | £30–60 per room |
Prices rise if the property is unusually dirty, furnished, or if the oven has not been cleaned in years.
DIY or hire a company?
Do it yourself if the property is small, you have two full days and the inventory was light. Hire a company if a professional clean is written into your tenancy agreement, if you are short on time, or if the deposit at stake is larger than the cost of the clean — which it almost always is.
A professional clean usually comes with a re-clean guarantee: if the landlord objects within 48–72 hours, the company returns free of charge. That guarantee is the main thing you are buying.
Timing
Book the clean for the day after the property is empty and the day before the final inspection. An empty property cleans faster, costs less and leaves no furniture marks for the inspector to question.