What does a cleaner cost in 2026?
A domestic cleaner charges £15–30 an hour in 2026, with London and the South East at the top of the range. A regular weekly clean of a two-bedroom home typically runs £45–75 a visit, a one-off deep clean £150–350, and an end of tenancy clean £150–400 depending on size. Agencies charge more than a self-employed cleaner but cover insurance, cover and vetting.
Updated 15 September 2026
Agency or a self-employed cleaner?
A self-employed cleaner typically charges £15–22 an hour and you get the same person every week, which most households prefer. You're responsible for checking they hold public liability insurance, and for arranging cover when they're ill or on holiday.
An agency charges £22–35 an hour and takes a cut, but carries insurance, replaces a cleaner who isn't working out, and handles vetting. For key-holding and access to an empty house, that structure is worth paying for.
Either way, a cleaner working in your home is normally self-employed or the agency's employee, not yours — but if you set their hours, supply the equipment and control how the work is done, you may be an employer with the duties that follow. Agencies remove that question entirely.
Typical cleaning prices
Prices include materials in most cases. Add VAT where the firm is registered.
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate, self-employed | £15–22 |
| Hourly rate, agency | £22–35 |
| Weekly clean, two-bed | £45–75 per visit |
| One-off deep clean, three-bed | £200–400 |
| End of tenancy, one-bed flat | £150–250 |
| End of tenancy, three-bed house | £250–400 |
| Oven clean | £60–110 |
| Carpet cleaning, per room | £30–60 |
| Interior and exterior windows, terraced house | £25–60 |
End of tenancy cleaning and your deposit
Your tenancy agreement can't require a professional clean as a blanket condition, but it can require the property to be returned in the condition recorded in the inventory, fair wear and tear excepted. In practice that means the check-in inventory photographs are the standard you're being measured against, not the letting agent's opinion.
Book a firm that offers a re-clean guarantee if the agent raises issues within 48 to 72 hours, keep the receipt, and photograph every room after the clean. Deposit disputes go to the tenancy deposit scheme's adjudicator, who decides on evidence — and dated photographs plus an invoice usually settle it.
What to agree before the first visit
Write down what's included: ironing, inside the oven, inside the fridge, windows and changing beds are extras almost everywhere. Agree the cancellation notice, normally 24 to 48 hours, and how keys or codes are held.
Ask for proof of public liability insurance, normally £1–2 million, and check the cleaner is comfortable with pets, stone worktops or any product restrictions you have.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cleaner cost per hour in the UK?
£15–22 an hour for a self-employed cleaner and £22–35 through an agency, with London highest. Most households book two to three hours a week.
What does an end of tenancy clean cost?
£150–250 for a one-bed flat and £250–400 for a three-bed house. Choose a firm offering a re-clean if the letting agent raises issues within 48 to 72 hours.
Is a deep clean worth it?
Once or twice a year, yes. A deep clean covers skirting boards, limescale, inside appliances, extractor filters and behind furniture, which a weekly visit never reaches.
Should I tip a cleaner?
Not expected as routine. A seasonal gift or an extra week's payment at Christmas is the normal way people thank a regular cleaner.
Describe the job and we'll match you with the right company — free for homeowners.