From Disaster to Delight: Transforming a Challenging Property at Tenancy End

A flat left in chaos with grease coating the entire kitchen, mould clinging to the bathroom tiles, and 48 hours until the move-out inspection. Ever heard of this story? You probably have, since more than 50% of deposit deductions in the UK happen because of cleaning problems. This scenario isn't fictional, but the brutal reality of some tenants who postponed their flat cleaning until the very last minute. They called in professional cleaners at the last minute, and they managed to get their deposit refund. But how did they do it? Keep reading to find out!

Checking out the reality: first impressions, big problems

The first walkthrough revealed big problems. A thick film of grease coated the hob and extractor fan in the kitchen, cupboards were sticky, and the fridge presented stale odours and food spills. The situation wasn’t any better in the bathroom, where mould covered the grout lines and limescale seized the taps. Years of stains were displayed on the carpets in the living room, while the air was musty. Dust-covered skirting boards, weird carpet marks, and filthy curtains were in the bedroom, and the flat was far from being presentable or move-in ready.

With 48 hours left before handover, the tenants knew of the risk of losing their entire deposit--over £1,000. “We tidy up the place, but it doesn’t do much”, one admitted. The pressure was overwhelming, and the flat needed more than cleaning.

"We were completely overwhelmed. The flat wasn’t filthy, but it wasn’t move-in ready either—and we didn’t have the time and skills to make it pristine."
— Margaret, Final-Year Student, Manchester

What were the problems?

The professionals spotted the most severe issues: grime deeply set in the kitchen (food buildup behind appliances, grease coating extractor fans, neglected oven), acute bathroom limescale and mould (hard water stains on shower screens, black mould in grout lines, musty odour), and dirty carpets (heavily stained, with pet odours).

The rescue plan

Assessing the situation

The cleaner’s strategy was about maximising impact as fast as possible, and they decided to:

• Prioritise the worst-off rooms, which were the bathroom and kitchen
• Split cleaning tasks room-by-room, with one group deep cleaning kitchen appliances, and the other handling mud and limescale in the bathroom. A third would pre-treat carpets and air out odours.
• Assign specialist equipment—steamers were used in the bathrooms, while carpet extractors and HEPA vacuums were prepared for living areas. Oven and tile grout needed time for soak-in treatments and were on top of the list.
• One professional had to do the finishing touches and handle the mirror smudges, window shine, and skirting boards as they’re vital for the “deposit-securing” inspection.

A closer look at the cleaning timeline

The pros only had 48 hours to bring the place to an inspection-ready state:

Hour 0–2: Rapid assessment & task designation

• On arrival, the team leader performed a complete walk-through.
• Based on severity and inspection sensitivities, they established the priorities
• Cleaners got their tasks by room and task type (prep or detail, wet or dry work).

Hours 2–12: The heavy-duty cleaning takes place

• The kitchen team cleans the appliances, degreases, and sanitises the surfaces.
• In the bathroom, the cleaners use descalers, apply mould treatments, and employ steam cleaning
• The general team dusts, vacuums, and prepares the carpets.

Hours 12–24: Drying, detailing, and airing out

• The team uses extractors on carpets and dehumidifiers to speed up drying
• The technicians polish high-touch areas (switches, mirrors, skirting boards)
• For a fresh smell, the flat is ventilated

Hours 24–36: Second pass & quality check

• A team member examines once again the trouble spots.
• A final polish takes place
• The inventory checklist is compared to inspector standards.

Hours 36–48: Final walkthrough & handover

• The team leader runs a final inspection
• For tenant records, the team takes clear photos
• The place is left pristine

The pros address the unique features, too

Listed windows with heritage frames

Standard sprays and abrasives cannot be used on original sash windows (they can cause paint damage or warping), so the pros employ ph-neutral wood-safe cleaners and soft microfiber cloths. The team used a vacuum with a soft-brush attachment to clear dust from window tracks.

Neglected appliances

The refrigerator had old food residue and mould, and the oven was scorched, with baked-on grease. The pros removed the interior and disinfected it with an enzyme-based cleaner to remove odours and kill bacteria. For the oven, they combined steam cleaning with a commercial-grade degreaser.

Textured walls and high ceilings

There were dust and cobwebs on textured paint and difficult-to-reach ledges, so the cleaners employed extendable dusters and HEPA-filter vacuums.

Old carpets with deep staining

The carpets presented set-in stains from wine and pets, and the cleaners turned to hot water extraction and a stain-lifting pre-treatment. They were followed by deodorising, leaving the carpets revived and fresh-smelling.

What are the pros of having the upper hand in DIY cleaning?

State-of-the-art tools

Experience and skills aren’t enough for fast, pristine results—top-of-the-line tools are crucial too! Here’s what’s in a professional cleaner’s toolkit:

• Steam cleaners

Steam cleaners get into crevices, break down grime and kill 99.9% of bacteria without harsh chemicals. The pros use them to sanitise bathrooms, lift grease in kitchens, and handle hard floors.

• HEPA-filter vacuums

They trap allergens and find that dust and cleaners use them to vacuum carpets, upholstery, and under furniture deeply.

• Hot water extraction machines

These machines penetrate fibres to lift difficult stains and odours and leave a fresh, like-new feel, reviving carpets and upholstery.

• Enzyme-based cleaners

They break down organic residue at a molecular level and work better than store-bought alternatives. The pros use them for the kitchen, fridge, pet stains, and odour-heavy areas.

• Commercial degreasers and descalers

These quickly cut through baked-on grease and mineral build-up, and the pros use them on ovens, hobs, taps, and showerheads.

• Microfiber cloths and detailing tools

Since they don’t leave streaks and fibres behind, cleaners use them for finishing touches, mirrors, taps, and windowsills.

The expert methods

To restore a property to its best appearance, the professional cleaners employ expert methods:

Steam cleaning against grime

High-temperature steam is applied to surfaces (kitchen counters, bathrooms, and floors) and the steam breaks down grease and grime, melts oil, dirt, and soap scum, easing removal. Oven tops, extractor fans, and shower tiles are cleaned with steam. Additionally, steam cleaning sanitises, as it kills bacteria, fungi, and mould spores—it’s perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-humidity areas.

Hot water extraction for carpets

Hot water extraction forces hot water and cleaning solution deep into carpet fibres, agitates the dirt, and ends with pulling it out. This method draws out embedded dirt, stains, and allergens, and it’s highly efficient on high-traffic areas like hallways or living rooms.

Turning to specialist mould removal solutions

Professional cleaners use industrial-grade mould removers and scrubbing tools. If necessary, they allow the solution to work overnight and scrub off the loosened mould the next day. The products get deep and dissolve the roots of the mould. Professionals may use mould sealants to avoid regrowth in case of persistent black mould.

Using degreasers and heavy-duty scrubbing

Professionals use highly concentrated degreasers that break down oils at a molecular level to remove difficult grease on hobs, ovens, and extractor fans. The pros use abrasive pads and scrapers to remove grease from areas like behind the oven or inside vents.

Employing enzyme-based cleaners

Enzyme cleaners break down organic matter (food spills, pet waste, or sweat) with natural enzymes. They are specifically targeted to neutralise bad-smelling bacteria. Professionals combine enzymatic cleaners with ozone treatments for difficult pet odours, leaving the space smelling fresh.

Removing carpet stains with targeted solutions

The pros employ targeted stain removers for stains like wine, ink, and food spills that eliminate stains without damaging the fibres. The cleaners break down the bonds of the stain and lift it from the fabric. Gentle solvent-based removers are used on delicate fabrics like velvet or wool.

Using microfiber towels for details

Professional cleaners use microfiber towels to polish and dust detailed areas like light fittings, window sills, and skirting boards. These trap dust and dirt and don’t leave streaks. They’re perfect for mirrors and high-gloss surfaces. The pros use fresh towels for every task to avoid cross-contaminating surfaces and leaving dust behind.

Why DIY cleaning falls short?

It takes more time

While professional cleaning takes 4-6 hours to complete a cleaning job, a DIY cleaning can take double the time. Lack of tools, skills, and experience are the main reasons, and heavy tasks like carpet deep cleaning, mould removal, and kitchen grease removal drag the process out.

It’s less efficient

Store-bought cleaning products and methods aren’t as strong as commercial-grade alternatives to handle deep stains, mould, and collected grime. Basic sprays and off-the-shelf products only eliminate surface dirt. Professional cleaners use industrial-grade tools and cleaning agents (steam cleaners, powerful vacuums, enzyme-based cleaners) to handle deep stains, bacteria, allergens, and odours, leading to results that DIY cleaning cannot match.

It's cheaper, or so it seems.

DIY cleaning seems cheaper, but it takes more time and energy. The cleaning supplies can cost £50–£150 for a flat. Based on the property size and condition, professional cleaning services cost from £100 to £250. You get the materials, specialised equipment, expertise, and time-saving results for this price.

It doesn’t secure your deposit.

Unless it’s perfect, DIY cleaning can jeopardise your deposit refund. Grease-laden ovens, skipped stains, or unpolished surfaces can cause deposit deductions even higher than £100. Professional cleaning doesn’t skip any area and leaves the property clean to the landlords’ standards, securing the deposit refund. Plus, professionals know what landlords scrutinise during the final inspection, making sure not to miss anything.

It’s not detail-oriented

DIY cleaning typically misses high-impact areas like window sills, skirting boards, extractor fans, and behind large furniture, which causes deposit deductions. Professional cleaners are detail-oriented and manage every minute detail, from difficult-to-reach spots to areas commonly stained.

The transformation: before & after, room by room

Kitchen transformation

Typical problems

Grease buildup

Over time, grease builds up on cooker hoods, stovetops, and vent filters, leaving behind difficult-to-remove residue. Spills and splatters from sauces, cooking oil, and food debris cause greasy stains on cabinetry and countertops, affecting their appearance.

Appliance buildup

Oil splashes and burnt food remnants deposit on oven surfaces and stovetops, causing difficult stains and nasty smells. Grease buildup clogs oven fans, affecting their efficiency. Food spills inside the fridge and microwaves cause a sticky interior, while bacteria and grime deposit in the fridge seals and trays, causing an unhygienic environment.

Surfaces & fixtures

Soap scum, food scraps, and water stains collect around sinks and faucets and cause difficult lime scale deposits.  Food particles and grease splashes stain the tiles around sinks and stoves, and dirt accumulates in grout lines, making them unsightly. Food spills, grease marks, and dirt make the floors look dirty, sticky, or dull, especially in high-traffic areas.

How did the cleaners handle the kitchen?

The cleaners used professional-grade degreasers to break down difficult grease and oil buildup from the stovetop, cooker hood, and cabinets. They left the degreaser for a short time and scrubbed it away afterwards. The team used steam cleaning for the countertops, sinks, tiles, hob, backsplash, oven interior, and tile grout.

The pros scrubbed the surfaces (inside and out) to spotless appliances, using degreasers and abrasive tools. They soaked the oven racks and trays and scrubbed to eliminate grease and burnt-on food. They removed all shelves and trays of the fridge, disinfected, sanitised and wiped its interior walls and seals. The cleaners wiped the interior of the microwave clean and scrubbed and sanitised the turntable. After removing the food particles from the dishwasher’s filters, they used cleaning solution to clear grease and grime buildup in the dishwasher's interior and the extractor fan.

What was the outcome?

Each tile was gleaming, with no streaks or residue, and the stovetop was immaculate. The oven was sanitised, and the extractor fan no longer presented greasy buildup or unpleasant smells. All visible dirt and lingering odours were eliminated, and the kitchen was left fresh-smelling, immaculate, and ready to use.

Bathroom brilliance

What were the issues?

Limescale-encrusted taps

Hard water caused unsightly limescale on taps, showerheads, and faucets, which looked dull and unappealing. There was white and cloudy residue on the taps.

Mouldy grout

There were black and green patches on grout lines, causing a bad appearance and a health concern. Water stains also made the grout look dirty and dull.

Dull mirrors

Mirrors were foggy or covered with soap scum and the cloudy residue affected reflections—water droplets left behind mineral deposits, dulling its reflective surface.

How did the cleaners proceed?

The pros used industrial-grade descalers to break down limescale and mineral deposits. After applying the descaler, the team used non-abrasive scrubbing pads to gently lift the scale and make the taps shiny, without getting damaged.

To tackle mould spores and prevent regrowth, the cleaners applied a mould-killing treatment to the affected grout lines and damp areas. The areas were left cleaner and healthier. As for mirrors, the crew applied a professional-grade mirror cleaner and followed with a polishing cloth to remove soap scum and watermarks. The professionals polished taps, showerheads, and all chrome fixtures to a gleaming state. Using medical-grade sanitising solutions, the cleaners disinfected all high-touch surfaces (door handles, taps, and toilet flushes)

What were the results?

The powerful descalers and mould treatment eliminated grime and neutralised lingering odours, leaving the bathroom spotless and fresh-smelling. All high-touch surfaces were germ-free, and all mould was removed from grout and seals. All the bathroom surfaces were polished, mirrors and glass shower doors sparkled, and faucets gleamed like new.

Living & bedrooms reborn

Before professional cleaning

Dull, lifeless carpets

The carpets had faded colours and stains, especially in high-traffic areas, and the fibres were no longer plush. There was built-up dirt, pet hair, and dust deeply set in the carpet fibres.

Dusty skirting boards

Visible layers of dust covered the skirting boards, and there were cobwebs in the corners and grime from previous spills and splashes. There was dust in the hard-to-reach areas, and the room looked unfinished.

Weird stains

Several areas presented mystery stains (from coffee spills, wine accidents, and other marks), and the mattress in the bathroom and the sofa in the living room needed deep cleaning.

What was the professionals’ approach?

The cleaners used high-powered HEPA vacuums to deeply clean the carpets and remove all dirt, dust, and allergens, paying attention to high-traffic areas. Using specialised stain-removal solutions, the team spotted and addressed the stains, spills, visible blemishes, and marks, without damaging the carpets and fabrics.

The professional cleaners also focused on allergen removal, as carpets and upholstery harboured dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. They applied a sanitisation treatment on the carpet and upholstery to remove bacteria and allergens and leave the space cleaner and more hygienic.

What was the outcome?

The fabric of carpets revived and made the space feel welcoming and larger. The dust-free skirting boards, clean upholstery, and polished furniture enhanced the ambience and eliminated musty smells. The indoor air quality was healthier as airborne allergens, dust, and pet dander were eliminated. The rooms were appealing and welcoming.

Inspection day: the moment of truth

When the landlord came for inspection, they were impressed, to say the least. The transformation was outstanding, and every room was impeccably clean. The kitchen was immaculate, the bathroom was gleaming, and the carpets looked new and vibrant. The cleaning was thorough, and the space was ready for the new occupants.

The professionals at Buzz Maids brought every inch of the property to its original state, just like listed in the inventory report. Carpets, upholstery, kitchen appliances, and bathroom surfaces matched the condition at the move-in. The cleaners cleaned to the most minute detail, like light fixtures, skirting boards, and the underside of furniture. The property was as expected to secure the deposit.

The tenants passed the final inspection with flying colours. They avoided deposit deductions. “We felt like dodging the bullet and wouldn’t have been able to do so without the professionals.” The transformation was dramatic, and even the landlord was taken aback by the outcome. This case proves, once again, the value of professional cleaning.

Smart moves for UK tenants—how to get your deposit back in full

When to act?

Check out the carpets, upholstery, and kitchen surfaces and call in the pros if you spot heavy grime and dirt. Avoid last-minute panic and address early grime build-up in the kitchens and bathrooms, especially areas like grout, shower tiles, and appliance exteriors. Avoid unpleasant smells, which can hide deeper issues like pet stains and mould. Examine the furniture, walls, and fixtures—address any damage to avoid losing your deposit later.

Book early

Timing is vital when booking end-of-tenancy cleaning, especially during the peak turnover period, from June to September. Many leases end around the same time, and if you wait until the last minute, you risk facing less availability and higher prices.

If you book early, you can secure your spot and even lock in better prices before peak season pricing starts. Early planning also means you get more time to handle issues before they become last-minute emergencies, ensuring a seamless handover.

Check out the pricing.

Based on the size and condition of the property, professional end-of-tenancy cleaning ranges from £150 to £300. Cleaning-related problems are the leading cause of 50% deposit deductions in the UK, and often the deposit loss is higher than £400. When you call in the pros, we avoid deposit deductions and lock in your deposit refund.

Follow these mini-maintenance tips

• Wipe down surfaces after cooking, handle spills right away to avoid staining, and remove crumbs
• To avoid the buildup of limescale and mould, regularly clean bathroom tiles, taps, and grout
• Weekly dust skirting boards and vacuum carpets
• Regularly clean the oven and fridge and wipe down the countertops after each use.

End note

Surprisingly, what started as a disaster turned into a full deposit refund, proving that professional cleaning is a miracle worker. The peace of mind and financial benefits are tremendous, and anyone can have a peaceful handover by booking early professional cleaning services. Got a cleaning win of your own? Don’t hesitate to share it!

• https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-prices/
• https://www.buzzmaids.co.uk/blog/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-roi-data-driven-analysis-of-costs-vs-deposit-returns/
• https://cleanercleaner.co.uk/blog/budgeting-for-your-move-in-2025-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-prices-in-london/
• https://samyxcleaning.com/blog/london-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-prices/
• https://www.myjobquote.co.uk/costs/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-costs
• https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-services-market/
• https://www.policybee.co.uk/blog/uk-cleaning-industry-statistics