End of Tenancy Checklist: What Letting Agents Actually Inspect
Letting agents use standardised checklists during move-out inspections. If you know what they check, you can make sure every item passes before they arrive. This guide is based on the inspection standards used by major UK letting agencies and our experience cleaning thousands of tenancy changeovers.
Kitchen
Inside the oven, including the door glass, racks and grill pan. This is the single most commonly failed item. Hob surface and burner surrounds. Inside the fridge and freezer, including door seals. Inside all cupboards — shelves wiped, crumbs removed. Extractor fan or cooker hood filter. Worktop surfaces and splashback. Sink, taps and drain cover. Floor including behind appliances (agents pull fridges and washing machines forward). Dishwasher filter and interior. Bin area cleaned and deodorised.
Bathroom
Toilet bowl, seat, cistern and base — including behind the toilet. Bath or shower tray, tiles and grout. Shower screen descaled. Taps descaled. Mirror. Extractor fan grille. Sink and pedestal. Floor, including around the toilet base. Silicone sealant checked for mould (note: if sealant is mouldy, agents may require resealing rather than cleaning). Towel rail wiped.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
Skirting boards throughout — agents run a finger along the top edge. Window sills, frames and tracks. Behind radiators. Light switches and socket plates. Curtain rails or blind mechanisms. Inside fitted wardrobes — shelves, hanging rails and base. Carpet vacuumed edge to edge, including under furniture. Hard floors mopped and streak-free.
Hallway, Stairs and Communal Areas
Front door frame and threshold. Letterbox interior. Staircase — banisters, risers and treads. Meter cupboard interior — must be accessible and clean. Airing cupboard or boiler cupboard shelves. Smoke alarm checked — some agents test these during inspection.
Evidence and Documentation
Photograph every room after cleaning, including inside appliances. Keep your professional cleaning receipt. If you used a professional cleaning service, keep the company name, contact details and a copy of the completion report. This documentation is your primary evidence in any deposit dispute.
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