End of Tenancy Cleaning ROI: Data-Driven Analysis of Costs vs. Deposit Returns
Want your full deposit back? Then roll up your sleeves and get ready to give your rental a good, wall-to-wall cleaning! Cleanliness won't impress your landlord on its own—56% of all deposit disputes in the UK are caused by renters who thought their rentals were clean enough at the end of the lease. With average deposits exceeding £1,000, we can assume you don't want to risk losing your deposit. However, should you opt for DIY cleaning or hire professionals? We'll provide all the complex data, real-world case studies, and cost comparisons to help you decide.
Key takeaways
- Cleaning disputes account for 56% of deposit issues, with average deductions from £250 to £500.
- Professional cleaning costs vary by property size, from £80 for studios to £450+ for 4-bedroom homes.
- Premium cleaning packages include deep appliance cleaning and carpet shampooing, offering better ROI
- Professional cleaning services ensure full deposit returns for 90% of tenants, compared to 40-50% with DIY cleaning.
- Professional cleaning typically yields 500% ROI
- Documentation through before-and-after photos and inventory checklists support your deposit refund
- Buzz Cleaners' guarantee includes free re-cleaning within 7 days if landlords aren't satisfied
In the UK rental market, tenants typically pay a deposit equivalent to four to six weeks' rent, averaging around £1,321 as of late 2023. Cleaning problems are the number one cause of deposit deductions, affecting 63% of renters. The average deduction is £250, whilst 29% of tenants had to pay more than £500, and 16% over £750. As tenants await the refund of their previous deposits, they also need to secure funds for new deposits. It is understandable why avoiding a deposit deduction is crucial to begin with.
Unfortunately, yes—cleaning is the #1 reason for deposit deduction. Commonly around £250 per tenancy, but it can exceed £500—29% of tenants report it. Sixteen per cent of tenants even experienced deductions exceeding £750.
The most common issues are:
- Oven grime
- Stained carpets
- Bathroom mould
- Limescale build-up
Real-life deduction examples
- £50 deducted for heavy oven grime
- £75 for mould and limescale build-up in the bathroom and around taps.
- £120 for professional cleaning of a sofa with food stains and pet hair.
- £150 to deep clean a kitchen left with grease on cabinets and floors.
- £200 for carpet stains from wine and food spills
- £90 for descaling and cleaning a neglected shower screen and tiles.
- £100+ for general cleanliness not meeting check-out expectations
What costs of DIY cleaning are less visible?
Upfront, DIY cleaning might seem a more affordable choice, especially if you’re not paying attention to all the details, such as:
- It’s time consuming
Deep cleaning a flat typically takes 8-12 hours or more, especially when it involves cleaning carpets and appliances or removing limescale.
- Costs for tools and supplies
Tenants should buy or rent:
- Carpet shampoo or steam cleaners (£25–£40/day)
- Oven cleaning kits (£10–£20)
- Specialist descalers, degreasers, and microfibre cloths (£15–£30 total)
- Last-Minute Stress & Risk
- When you clean in a hurry, you risk missing areas such as behind furniture, extractor fans, and skirting boards.
- Insufficient or poor cleaning increases the risk of deposit deductions
- There are no guarantees—if the landlord doesn’t like the results, tenants still risk having their deposit deducted.
How much do you pay for end-of-tenancy cleaning in the UK?
The size of the property, its location, and the cleaning requirements all affect the price of end-of-tenancy cleaning in the UK. Services like carpet and upholstery cleaning may incur additional costs, so it's essential to obtain a detailed estimate before hiring professionals. Here is some average pricing to make an idea:
| Property Size | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Studio Flat | £80 – £200 |
| 1-Bedroom | £130 – £250 |
| 2-Bedroom | £160 – £300 |
| 3-Bedroom | £190 – £350 |
| 4-Bedroom | £230 – £450 |
| 5+ Bedroom | £280 – £525+ |
What does end-of-tenancy cleaning include?
Professional cleaners will bring a property to a move-in-ready condition, as outlined in the tenancy agreement and inventory. Here’s what is typically included:
General Areas (all rooms)
- Dusting and wiping all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and picture frames
- Cleaning skirting boards, door frames, and light switches
- Vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floors
- Internal window cleaning and sill polishing
- Removal of cobwebs, dust from radiators, and ventilation grills
- Wiping down walls (where required)
Kitchen
- Deep cleaning of oven and hob (inside and out)
- Cleaning microwaves, extractor fans, splashbacks
- Degreasing and sanitising worktops and cupboards (inside/out)
- Descaling sink and taps
- Cleaning of fridge/freezer (must be defrosted beforehand)
- Floor scrub and sanitisation
Bathroom(s)
- Scrubbing and descaling toilets, sinks, baths, and showers
- Cleaning tiles, grout, and shower screens
- Polishing mirrors and chrome fittings
- Mopping and disinfecting floors
- Mould removal (where applicable)
Bedrooms & Living Areas
- Dusting and wiping down wardrobes, drawers, and bedside tables
- Vacuuming under beds and furniture
- Curtain and blind dusting (surface level)
Optional Add-ons (usually extra cost)
- Carpet shampooing or steam cleaning
- Upholstery cleaning
- External window cleaning
- Wall spot-cleaning or repainting (if needed)
Different regions have different pricing.
Regional factors impact the pricing of end-of-tenancy cleaning services. Here’s what to expect to pay, based on the region you live in the UK:
- London: Due to higher living costs, end-of-tenancy cleaning services from £130 to £400, depending on property size and condition.
- Birmingham: Services in this area are moderately priced, with average costs ranging from £190 to £340.
- Manchester: Cleaning costs here are comparable to Birmingham, with services ranging from £110 to £560.
- Sheffield: Cleaning costs range from £190 to £240 for a one-bedroom apartment, with prices increasing to up to £500 for more significant properties with multiple bedrooms.
Factors affecting the price
- Property size—the larger the property, the more time and resources it will need for cleaning.
- Condition of the property—a property left in poor condition will require extensive cleaning
- Additional services, such as deep carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, exterior window washing, and similar services, can increase the final cost of cleaning.
- Location — Urban areas, such as London, have a higher cost of living, resulting in higher cleaning prices compared to those in smaller towns or rural areas.
- Professional cleaning significantly enhances deposit return success (90% vs 40-50% with DIY) despite higher upfront costs of £80-£450+.
- DIY cleaning presents hidden costs, including 8-12 hours of labour, specialised equipment, and a higher risk of deposit deductions.
Basic package
A basic package typically includes:
- General dusting and surface wipe-downs
- Vacuuming and floor mopping
- Basic kitchen and bathroom cleaning (no deep appliance cleaning)
- Spot-cleaning where needed
- Limited time allocation per room
Pros:
- Lower upfront cost
- It’s a good choice for well-maintained, small properties
- If the landlord isn’t picky in terms of cleanliness, an essential service may be enough
Cons:
- It doesn’t typically include deep oven cleaning, carpet shampooing, and deep appliance cleans
- It doesn’t typically meet strict inventory standards
- It has a high risk of deposit deductions or re-cleans.
Premium package
Along with basic tasks, it also includes:
- Deep cleaning of oven, fridge, extractor fans, and other appliances
- Carpet shampooing or steam cleaning
- Bathroom descaling and mould removal
- Skirting boards, light switches, and behind furniture cleaned
- Internal window and frame cleaning
- Full-room sanitisation
- Longer time allocation and guarantees/re-cleans
Pros:
- Ensures a higher chance of a full deposit refund
- It comes with re-clean guarantees (Buzz Cleaners has a 7-day guarantee period)
- It’s the best choice for large or heavily used properties
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost (but often offset by full deposit return)
Which offers better ROI?
Premium packages generally ensure superior ROI, especially when:
- Your deposit is over £750
- You haven’t hired professional cleaners until now
- You don’t have time to deep clean the rental
- Your landlord or letting agent is particularly attentive to cleanliness.
All in all, you will spend £250–£350 on a premium clean, but avoid £500+ in deductions—let’s not forget the time and effort you save!
Deposit Returns: the power of professional cleaning vs. DIY
Tenants using professional cleaning services have a higher chance of receiving their full deposit back. According to data from UK deposit protection schemes, 90% of tenants who hire professionals receive the full deposit, compared to only 40-50% of those who opt for DIY cleaning. The explanation? Professional cleaners’ results meet landlords’ cleaning standards and lower the risk of deposit deductions.
What do Buzz Cleaners' clients say?
Even though we have many successful stories to share, here are two of them:
Sarah’s One-Bedroom Flat in London
Sarah spent 5 hours cleaning herself but ended up hiring our team at Buzz Cleaners. She later received the entire £1,200 deposit back.
Tom’s 3-Bedroom Home in Birmingham
Tom initially went the DIY route, which resulted in a £300 deposit deduction. He received the entire deposit back after hiring Buzz Cleaners.
DIY vs. Pro: success rates and testimonials
DIY cleaning will result in deposit deductions for 60% of tenants, primarily due to incomplete tasks and missed areas. Mark, from Sheffield, admitted that his ”10-hours cleaning still led to a £200 for oven grime.”
With professional cleaning, 90% of renters get their deposits back in full. Sarah, London, shared with us: “I hired Buzz Cleaners, and the place looked even better than when I moved in! I got back my entire deposit.”
Time is money
While a DIY cleaning takes 6-12 hours, professional cleaning will be completed in just 3-5hours. Renters save 4-8 hours and avoid the pressure of meeting high standards of cleanliness. Plus, they can focus on other aspects of their relocation.
Crunching the numbers — ROI you can count on!
To calculate your Return on Investment (ROI) for professional cleaning, use this simple formula:
- ROI = (Deposit Saved – Cleaning Cost) / Cleaning Cost
When you use the formula, you can determine how much you receive from the professional cleaning service about the service cost.
Examples of ROI comparison for 1-bed, 2-bed, and 3-bed properties
- 1-Bedroom Property:
- Deposit Saved: £800
- Cleaning Cost: £130
- ROI = (£800 – £130) / £130 = 5.15 (515% ROI)
- 2-Bedroom Property:
- Deposit Saved: £1,200
- Cleaning Cost: £190
- ROI = (£1,200 – £190) / £190 = 5.32 (532% ROI)
- 3-Bedroom Property:
- Deposit Saved: £1,500
- Cleaning Cost: £250
- ROI = (£1,500 – £250) / £250 = 5.00 (500% ROI)
These examples demonstrate how professional cleaning yields substantial returns, often at a ratio of 5:1 or higher, depending on the property size.
Break-Even Analysis: When Is It Worth Hiring the Pros?
It’s worth hiring the pros when the deposit you save is higher than the cost of the services. Typically, the ROI becomes positive when the cleaning price is lower than 30% of your deposit. For instance, if your deposit is £1,000, and cleaning costs £250, professional cleaning is worth it—your peace of mind and savings outweigh the investment.
It’s more than numbers.
Apart from ROI, there are more benefits when hiring the pros:
- Gain peace of mind as professional cleaning meets landlords’ high standards
- Seamless handover, lower risk of deposit disputes, and faster deposit refund.
- Stronger tenant-landlord relationship—when you hire professionals, you show responsibility and respect. Your landlord will provide you with good references, which can help you with future rentals.
- Premium cleaning packages ensure 500%+ ROI by preventing deposit deductions, and 90% of professional clients get full deposit returns.
- Basic packages often lack thorough cleaning of appliances and carpets, which can increase the risk of costly deductions.
More than deposits: unlocking long-term financial gains
When you hire professional cleaners, you have many benefits:
Professional cleaning counts for your future rentals
- It shows you are responsible and detail-oriented
- If the property is well-maintained, you gain a positive landlord reference
- It will be easier for you to secure future rentals
- A clean property shows you respect it
- A positive reference can improve your reputation
Professional cleaning alleviates your stress
- You save time, which is paramount when moving houses
- You no longer spend hours cleaning and can focus on other aspects of your relocation, such as packing and logistics.
- You no longer stress about meeting your landlord’s high standards
- You leave the property pristine and no longer worry about deposit deductions
- You experience a pleasant, less stressful relocation
Your risk of legal problems and extra costs is lower
- You avoid cleaning-related disputes and expensive legal battles
- You meet the landlord’s standards and lower the risk of deposit deductions
- You reduce the risk of needing mediation or legal action
- When you leave the rental immaculate, you save time and money by avoiding extra cleaning fees and legal costs from unresolved disputes
Landlords also benefit!
Professional cleaning also benefits the landlords:
- It maintains the property’s condition and lowers the need for expensive repairs
- Spotless properties are more appealing and lead to faster re-letting
- Regular cleaning maintains a property’s appearance and value
- Well-kept homes bring higher tenant satisfaction and lower turnover rates
- Landlords who offer properties in top condition can ask for higher rents and gain better profitable investments.
What is the best way to maximise your cleaning return on investment (ROI)?
Some timing tips
- Book the services close to your check-out day, 1-2 days before your lease ends—you want the place to look impeccable at the final inspection
- Don’t postpone cleaning to the day before the final inspection—you will experience unnecessary stress and skip important areas
- Coordinate with your landlord/letting agent to match your cleaning with the inspection
- Schedule professional cleaners 4-6 hours before the inspection so that they can complete the work.
Prepare your rental—how to minimise service time and cost.
- Declutter the rental and remove your belongings, trash, and excess furniture—cleaning will go faster and easier in an empty property
- Wipe down countertops and shelves to ease professionals’ efforts and save time
- Run a quick sweep or vacuum to lower the amount of floor cleaning needed
- Empty the fridge, oven, and dishwasher so cleaners run deep cleaning
- Spot clean visible stains or marks on carpets and walls.
Document the cleaning
- Take before and after photos after the cleaning to use as evidence in case of deposit deductions
- Use your landlord’s inventory checklist to make sure all areas have been cleaned and document each item’s condition
- Inform your landlord about the cleaning schedule and share the photos and checklist to highlight your efforts.
What are Buzz Cleaners’ guarantees?
Buzz Cleaners has detail-oriented professionals who will conduct comprehensive cleaning, meeting your landlords’ standards. If our work isn’t up to your standards, you can use our 7-da satisfaction guarantee and call for free fixes. Our team meets industry standards and helps you secure your entire deposit, ensuring no deductions are made. We also guarantee the quality of our work—you will receive positive feedback from your landlord and the full deposit returned.
Clean smart, save big
There's more to professional end-of-tenancy cleaning than cleanliness itself. Consider it a wise investment to increase your chances of receiving your full deposit back while also mitigating the pressure of handover, final inspection, and potential future rental disputes. An immaculate rental not only impresses your landlord but also secures better references for your future tenancies. Why risk your deposit refund when professional help is just one phone call away?
FAQs:
Is hiring professional end-of-tenancy cleaners a good investment?
According to the statistics, that's true. If your deposit is substantial and you have a tight, moving timeline, professional cleaners are the way to go.
What does the Buzz Cleaners guarantee cover?
If our cleaning doesn't meet your landlord's standards, we will return to make the necessary corrections—at no extra charge.
Can a landlord require professional cleaning?
No, but they can require the property to be returned to the same condition as when you moved in.
How does the booking process work? When will I pay for services?
Our booking process is straightforward—you contact us to request an estimate, and once we agree, you can book our services at your convenience. We don't require upfront payment for residential jobs, and we accept all primary payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers.
RESOURCES
- https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/content-hub/deposit-dispute-case-general-cleaning/
- https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/average-rental-deposit-now-1434.html
- https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/property-news/playing-dirty-tenants-have-an-average-of-ps250-deducted-from-deposits-b1166038.html
- https://www.cityletsyork.co.uk/hello-world/
- https://fraserbond.com/blog/article/understanding-cleaning-deductions-from-deposits-uk-landlord-and-tenant-guide-b7780