End of tenancy cleaning checklist for Oldham and Failsworth renters

If you're renting in Oldham, Failsworth or nearby and your move-out date is coming up, the final clean is one of the biggest jobs on your list. Letting agents check properties carefully at check-out, comparing them to the check-in inventory. This checklist covers what they usually look at, so you can work through it room by room.

Before you begin

• Read your tenancy agreement. Some ask for a professional clean or carpet clean. Know what yours says.

• Get the check-in inventory out. It shows what condition the property was in when you arrived.

• Move everything out first. It's much easier to clean empty rooms, and agents will expect cupboards and drawers to be empty.

• Keep the power and hot water on until the clean is finished.

• Gather your kit: gloves, cloths, a mop, a hoover, degreaser, limescale remover, glass cleaner and bin bags.

Work from top to bottom and from the back of the property towards the front door, so you're not walking through rooms you've already done.

Kitchen

The kitchen is where agents look hardest.

• Oven, racks, trays and glass door degreased

• Hob and extractor hood cleaned, including the filter

• Fridge and freezer emptied, defrosted, cleaned and left open

• Inside and outside of every cupboard and drawer

• Microwave, dishwasher and washing machine (if supplied) cleaned, including seals and filters

• Sink and taps descaled until they shine

• Tiles, worktops and grout wiped

• Floor swept and mopped, including under appliances you can move

Bathroom

• Toilet bowl, seat, hinges, base and cistern

• Bath, shower tray and screen descaled

• Tiles and grout cleaned, mould treated where possible

• Taps, shower head, mirror and cabinet

• Extractor fan cover dusted

• Floor mopped, including behind the toilet

Bedrooms and living areas

• Ceilings and corners free of cobwebs

• Light fittings and lampshades dusted

• Skirting boards, doors, frames and handles wiped

• Switches and sockets cleaned

• Radiators dusted, including behind them where you can

• Inside windows, frames and sills cleaned

• Wardrobes and shelves wiped inside

• Carpets hoovered thoroughly, hard floors mopped

Hallway, stairs and outside

• Banisters and spindles wiped

• Stairs hoovered edge to edge

• Front door cleaned inside and out

• Bins emptied and any rubbish taken away

• Garden, yard or balcony cleared if you're responsible for it

Finishing off

• Walk round with your inventory and compare each room

• Take clear photos of every room, inside appliances and cupboards

• Take meter readings

• Hand back every key and keep a note of when and to whom

How long does it take?

That depends on the size and condition of the property, but most people underestimate it. The oven and bathroom alone can take hours, and it's often happening while you're packing, working and moving at the same time.

Leave it to a local team

VC Services is based in Failsworth, and we do end-of-tenancy cleans across Oldham, Failsworth and Greater Manchester. We work to a checklist, and the price is fixed before we start:

• Studio / 1 bed: £179

• 2 bed: £219

• 3 bed: £259

• 4 bed: £299

You can add oven cleaning (from £40), carpet cleaning (£25 per room) and window cleaning (from £20). If your agent flags anything that was part of our clean, let us know within 72 hours and we'll return free of charge to sort it.

Moving your things as well? We do furniture removals too, from £80 per round.

Book your clean online: https://www.vcservices.co.uk/book-online or call us on 07377 506921 to check a date.