Moving out with pets? Well, that’s a challenge! Unpleasant odours, hidden fur, or scratched surfaces are some pet-related issues causing tenants to lose their deposits. Regular cleaning isn’t enough, especially since landlords are astute about cleanliness. To ensure you pass your move-out cleaning and secure your deposit, you need reliable, experienced cleaners like Buzz Maids. They are the best to hire for pet-friendly, deposit-securing cleans that handle odours, stains, and allergens at the source. Armed with an impressive tool kit and expertise, the right professional cleaners will help pet owners leave their rentals immaculate with no worries for their pets. Isn’t it ideal?
Key takeaways
- Deposit risk is real: Pet-related issues (odours, hair, stains, allergens) are significant causes of deposit deductions
- Professional cleaning is cost-effective: Professional cleaning services may seem expensive upfront, but they’re typically far cheaper than potential deposit deductions due to pet-related cleaning issues.
- Some areas require extra attention: Landlords scrutinise carpets/floors, upholstery, walls/skirting boards, gardens, and air quality—all areas where pets leave lasting traces that standard cleaning cannot manage.
- Timing matters: Pet owners should book cleaning services 1-2 days before inspection.
- Pet safety during cleaning: Due to noise, chemicals, and disruption, alternative pet accommodation is recommended.
- Buzz Maids' specialised approach: We offer specialised equipment (HEPA vacuums, hot water extraction), pet-safe products, detailed documentation, and a 7-day re-clean guarantee designed for pet owners.
- Pre-cleaning preparation is crucial: For the best outcome, tet owners should remove all pet items, pre-vacuum surface hair, detect problem areas for cleaners, and ensure proper ventilation.
Pets put your deposit at risk—here’s why
With a keen eye for detail, most landlords will spot pet-related hot spots and will deduct from your deposit. Even if your pet is well-behaved, its presence will linger after you vacate a place. Pet hair deeply set in carpets and upholstery, lingering odours seeping into soft furnishings, stains from accidents or muddy paws, dander and other allergens will impact the property’s condition and future occupants’ health, especially if they have allergies.
Standard cleaning methods aren’t efficient enough with pet-related problems. They will be seen as excessive wear, damage, and neglect without proper treatment, jeopardising the deposit refund.
How do pet-related issues cause deposit deductions?
Most landlords expect their properties to be returned in the same condition at move-in, apart from fair wear and tear. Needless to say, you don’t see pet-related damage when you move in. When landlords find strong odours, embedded pet hair, or stains, they see them as a sign of neglect. They will call in the pros for cleaning and replacing damaged items and charge tenants for the cost.
Some examples:
- Lingering odours in carpets and curtains may require complete replacements
- Stains on upholstery/flooring may require specialist treatments
- Deep cleaning will be necessary to remove allergens and dander
Landlords aren’t interested in finding the cheapest cleaning services, so even minor oversights may lead to hundreds of pounds in bills.
Real-world examples
Case no.1
A tenant vacuumed thoroughly before leaving, but didn’t handle the pet odours soaked into the underlay. The landlord hired a specialist to deep clean and deodorise the carpet—the tenant faced a £180 deduction.
Case no.2
Even if the tenant cleaned the surface, he missed hair under furniture and along skirting boards. The landlord wasn’t satisfied with the cleaning and charged the tenant a £95 cleaning fee for professional cleaning.
What landlords scrutinise at the move-out inspection
Landlords will examine all seen and unseen surfaces and will pay extra attention to the following:
Carpets & floors
Carpets are a magnet for pet hair, dander, and odours, even when tenants vacuum regularly. Tracks from muddy paws or deep-set stains from accidents won’t be removed with standard cleaning. Laminate and hardwood flooring are also vulnerable, and minor water damage, claw marks, and trapped dirt can lead to refinishing and expensive repairs.
Extra tip
Are you a pet owner? Hire the pros for deep carpet cleaning (with hot extraction) to stay safe.
Upholstery & furnishings
Fabrics like sofas, curtains, and cushions can absorb pet smells, especially when pets have favourite spots. Fur and dander will easily set in creases and seams and cause visible wear and discolouration in the fabric. Even if you didn’t use the furniture much, the landlord will see it as neglect.
Extra tip
Go for professional deep upholstery cleaning to revive the smells and colours in upholstery.
Walls and skirting boards
Scratches, paw marks, and scuffs, especially near doors, feeding areas, and play areas, will also make landlords deduct from deposits. In time, smells will set in walls, especially in small or poorly ventilated areas. Landlords will expect repainting and repairing these areas unless noted as fair wear.
Remember to look and touch up lower wall areas, where damage typically occurs and is easy to miss.
Gardens & outdoor areas
You don’t need to be meticulous to see if pets use the garden. Patchy grass from constant use, worn paths, dug holes, or leftover pet waste will be easy for landlords to notice. Not addressing the pet impact will affect the deposit refund, even if it's a shared space.
Steer away from deposit deductions, remove all waste, fill holes, and even reseed worn grass, if necessary.
Indoor air quality
Even if you no longer notice your pet’s scent, your landlord will. Lingering smells, dander in the air, and stale odours set in soft surfaces or HVAC systems will cause deposit deductions, especially if they affect the next occupant’s well-being.
Before moving out, start using air purifiers and odour neutralisers. Check out the allergen-reducing treatments as they make the air fresh and inspection-ready.
Is it “fair wear and tear” or pet damage?
What are your rights as a UK tenant with pets?
Just because renting with pets comes with some grey areas, it doesn’t mean you don’t have any rights as a tenant in the UK. Under the current law, you don’t have an automatic right to keep pets, so don’t be shocked if a landlord refuses to rent. The government’s updated Model Tenancy Agreement recommends that landlords not withhold consent unreasonably. Unless there is an agreement, landlords still have discretion.
Want to make sure your pet will stay with you? Have a written permission for your pet, even if the tenancy is pet-friendly.
Fair wear and tear still applies –it doesn’t mean everything is your pet’s fault. This doesn’t mean that scratch marks, stains, odours, and other pet-related damage don’t go beyond “fair”. Landlords may deduct from the deposit if the damage exceeds what’s considered reasonable, considering your lease's duration.
If your landlord intends to withhold part of your deposit, they must provide proof—photos, check-out reports, or receipts for cleaning or repairs. Nevertheless, you may use your tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme to dispute wrongful charges. Side note—all landlords are legally bound to protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme.
Cleaning causes have limits—even if your landlord expects the property to be cleaned to professional standards, they cannot force you to hire a specific company or charge you for not cleaning it professionally. If you have pets, pay attention to the clauses in your lease agreement. There may be one about hiring professional cleaners at the end of the tenancy, especially for carpets and upholstery.
- As of 2024, approximately 60% of UK households own at least one pet, totalling around 17.2 million homes with pets.
- The UK's pet population includes about 13.5 million dogs and 12.5 million cats.
“Reasonable wear” vs. chargeable damage
“Reasonable wear” refers to the natural deterioration of a place over time with regular use. Just because you have pets doesn’t mean you’re excluded from your right to fair wear and tear.
Here are some examples of reasonable wear:
- Slight flattening of carpet in high-traffic areas
- Minor scuff marks on walls or flooring
- Faint odours from general occupancy
- Light hair build-up if cleaned and not excessive
- Slight fading or softening of fabrics from everyday use
Chargeable damage
Any avoidable, excessive, or negligent damage, mainly due to pets, is considered outside reasonable wear and will cause deposit deductions. Some examples would be:
- Urine or faeces stains that require specialist cleaning
- Chewed or scratched skirting boards, doors, or furniture
- Strong, persistent odours requiring deep cleaning or replacement of items
- Large amounts of embedded fur or visible dirt because of inefficient cleaning
- Torn upholstery or damaged blinds from pet climbing or rough play
Landlords can deduct from your deposit for any damage that requires repair, replacement, or specialist cleaning beyond regular maintenance.
To avoid any wrongful deductions, you should protect yourself by documenting the condition of the property with before-and-after photos of the place, keeping a copy of the pet-related agreement, and hiring professionals for end-of-tenancy cleaning, especially if there are carpets, upholstery, and soft furnishings. Also, ask for a detailed inventory at move-in and move-out to ensure a fair assessment of any issues.
Learn about landlords’ expectations.
At move-out, landlords expect you to leave the property presentable and ready for move-in. This doesn’t mean you should accept every demand. If you’re renting with pets, learn what’s a reasonable expectation, prepare efficiently, and take a step back whenever necessary.
Know your tenancy agreement.
Revise your lease contract and spot any clauses about pets, professional cleaning, or specific responsibilities. Some agreements include requirements for pet-related cleaning or professional carpet services. Remind your landlord if you’ve been responsible during your tenancy.
Document everything –before and after
Take timestamped photos or videos of the whole property at move-in and move-out to prove if damage/wear occurred when you moved in. If you hired cleaners, keep the receipts to prove it. Reputable cleaners like Buzz Maids provide before-and-after photos as part of the end-of-tenancy cleaning service.
Meet or even exceed cleaning expectations.
Don’t resort to “tidy up” and clean on a deeper level, especially if you have pets—landlords expect professional-level results. Opt for deep carpet cleaning, odour neutralisation, and allergen removal to leave the place impeccable.
Have clear and calm communication.
If your landlord reports issues with the cleaning, keep a calm, respectful tone and reply with your photos, receipts, or reports. In case of wrongful charges, you can dispute them through your deposit protection scheme.
Buzz Maids’ pet-focused cleaning approach
Regular cleaning isn’t enough at Buzz Maids if the tenants have pets. We have conceived a specialised cleaning approach for pet-owning tenants, focusing on removing every trace of fur, odour, and allergen while protecting the property and securing the deposit refund.
Tailored assessments
We begin with an in-depth, on-site assessment that prioritises the provocations of life with pets. We know what to address and efficiently resolve, from scent absorption and embedded hair to areas vulnerable to scratching and staining.
We use industrial-grade equipment and field-proven techniques
Our tool arsenal comprises state-of-the-art equipment such as HEPA-filter vacuums to collect allergens and fine dander, hot water extraction machines for deep carpet and upholstery cleaning, and professional odour neutralisers to remove pet smells. With these tools, we go beyond surface-level cleaning and achieve results that impress astute landlords.
Our products are eco-friendly and pet-safe
We only use non-toxic, eco-conscious products that are safe for people and pets. Even though our cleaning is outstanding, it doesn’t affect the environment and your furry friends.
We document our work.
For your peace of mind, we provide before-and-after photos to highlight the outcome and protect you in cleaning-related disputes. Our pet-owning clients consistently receive their deposits in full, and landlords appreciate our work.
Reliable cleaners like Buzz Maids offer a good range of premium add-ons, especially for pet-owning tenants.
Pet stain & odour removal
This advanced stain and odour treatment targets the most difficult spots, from accidents to scent-marking. Using professional-grade enzymes and extraction methods, we aim to remove the cause and not just cover the smell. The service has a satisfaction guarantee—a free re-clean will be performed if needed.
Using hot water extraction for deep carpet cleaning, enzyme-based treatments to break down organic matter, and odour neutralisers to eliminate lingering smells, we leave surfaces, carpets, and all affected areas scent-free.
Air-purification treatments
Fur isn’t the only thing pets leave behind—dander, dust mites, and invisible allergens may also linger in the air after you move out. Many landlords and tenants are sensitive to allergens, especially pet dander, and poor air quality can cause complaints, deposit deductions, and even delay new occupancy.
We employ HEPA filtration and odour neutralisation to remove fine airborne particles and pet dander. We may use sanitising fog or mist treatments to refresh and purify the whole space, leaving the property with neutral, breathable air.
Sanitising for pet-used surfaces
Entryways, walls, skirting boards, feeding and litter areas, door frames, or sleeping spots are intensely used by pets and require extra attention. Using pet-safe, eco-conscious sanitisers, we perform a targeted sanitisation to kill bacteria and neutralise allergens without leaving harmful residues. Our disinfectants meet UK tenancy hygiene standards, and we document every treated area for your records.
Bundled savings on combined services
Book several services (carpet cleaning+odour treatment+air purification) and save with pet-owner bundles. You will benefit from comprehensive coverage, premium results, and a better price than booking each service separately. For instance, you may save up to 20% when booking odour removal + carpet cleaning + air treatment as a single package.
- There are many pet owners, but only about 7% of rental properties are advertised as pet-friendly.
- The scarcity of pet-friendly rentals makes it difficult for pet owners to find suitable accommodation.
Planning end-of-tenancy cleaning as a pet owner
Early booking is vital
Last-minute cleaning isn’t ideal, especially when you have pets. Here’s why:
Pet homes need extra attention
Pet-related cleaning, such as stain removal, deep carpet extraction, and air purification, takes longer, and several treatments may be necessary. If you book ahead, you make sure you have enough time for deep cleaning, drying, and necessary re-cleans.
You avoid scheduling pressure.
End-of-tenancy cleaning slots fill up quickly, especially during peak moving seasons and the end of the month. Pet-focused services require specialist cleaners and tools, so booking early ensures a favourite timeslot and no compromises on cleaning.
There’s time for moisture and odours to settle.
Deep cleaning needs drying time, while odour treatments and air purification may need even two days for maximum efficiency. Booking early ensures a fresh-smelling property before the move-out inspection.
There’s time for touch-ups/re-cleans
Even when you hire professionals, the risk of surprises isn’t null. If you book early, you get a buffer if the landlords are unsatisfied and ask for extra touch-ups. Buzz Maids offers a 7-day re-clean guarantee, but why risk?
Drying, inspection, and final walk-through timelines
After deep cleaning a property with pets, there are several stages to consider before returning the keys:
Drying time after deep cleaning
Based on ventilation and fabric thickness, carpets and upholstery take 6-24 hours to fully dry. You can speed up drying by opening windows and using fans, but expect the drying to last at least one day. Avoid damp floors and lingering odours by planning the cleaning 1-2 days before the final inspection.
Landlord/agent inspection
Landlords and letting agents will conduct a detailed check-out inspection, comparing the condition at move-out with the original inventory. You should book the cleaning before the move-out inspection, ensuring that professionals handle all pet-related problems.
Final walk-through
Your landlord might invite you to participate in the inspection, so take the chance to clear up any concerns, highlight that you have hired professional cleaners, and provide documentation such as photos, receipts, and guarantees.
Plan for success:
- T–2 Days: Book your cleaning
- T–1 Day: Let the property dry and ventilate
- T Day: Inspection and key handover
If you pick an adequate timeline, the rental will be dry, fresh, and deposit-ready when needed.
Keep your furry friends safe during the cleaning.
End of tenancy cleaning can be noisy, disruptive, and full of unusual smells, possibly disturbing to pets. Mind these aspects before cleaners come:
Take the pets elsewhere during cleaning
Loud equipment like vacuums and hot water extractors can cause stress and anxiety to pets, while cleaners may go in and out frequently, posing escape risks. Even though safe once dry, some treatments will irritate pets during application. Also, your curious furry friends may interfere with the cleaning process.
Pet care options
You may arrange a pet sitter for the day or ask a friend/family member to take your pets for a walk. If the cleaning takes several days, you can take your pets to daycare or a local boarding service. None of these is possible? Secure your furry friend in a calm, quiet room with enough water, food, and comfort to protect them from cleaning procedures.
Post-cleaning safety tips
Wait until all surfaces are dry and aired out before bringing the pets back inside. This way, you avoid skin contact, slipping, or irritation from damp materials.
The Buzz Maids pet owner guarantee
We know that renting with pets can come with many challenges at Buzz Maids. We provide a Pet Owner Guarantee—a service promise conceived to bring customers peace, secure deposits, and impress even the pickiest landlords.
7-Day Re-Clean Promise
If your landlord/letting agent informs us of any cleaning problems within 7 days of our service, we will return for prompt, free re-cleans.
We are experts in cleaning pet-heavy homes.
Our professionals are experts in handling embedded pet hair, difficult odours and stains, and allergen-heavy environments. We go above and beyond to deliver pet-specific results that meet landlords’ standards.
We offer complete documentation.
We provide you with before-and-after photos, receipts for professional cleaning, and optional written service summaries about the treatments we applied.
Professional cleaning is valuable for securing deposit refunds
The pricing is transparent
Reliable companies like Buzz Maids have no hidden costs and offer transparent, pet-conscious pricing so you know what you pay for and why. Just because you have a pet, you shouldn’t expect mystery fees. Should the cleaners have to perform extra services to handle odours, stains, and allergens, they will inform you clearly in the estimate.
Dependable cleaners provide detailed, upfront estimates, customised to your rental and pet’s impact. From regular room cleaning to specialist services like air purification or stain treatment, every item cleaned will be listed.
The cleaning services are tailored to pet owners' needs, and prices will reflect the extra effort, while ensuring a fair balance between value, quality, and peace of mind.
DIY cleaning may be more expensive than professional cleaning
If you consider going the DIY cleaning path, here are some aspects to think about first:
Pet odours and stains require specialist treatment
Regular household products cannot remove pet smells and embedded stains. Hot water extractors, odour neutralisers, and other specialist equipment –that professionals possess- are necessary to eliminate the odours and signs of wear. Missing one stain can cause you a £100+ deduction from your deposit.
You need to rent/buy specialist equipment.
You must employ HEPA vacuums, carpet and upholstery cleaning solutions and tools, and enzyme-based stain and odour treatments to achieve professional-grade results. The costs can add up quickly, and you still need to ask yourself this: Do you know how to use them all for the best outcome?
No proof—no protection
When you choose DIY cleaning, you won’t get a cleaning receipt, before-and-after documentation, and a re-clean guarantee. Supporting your case won't be easy in the case of wrongful deposit deductions.
Deposit deductions may exceed the cost of professional cleaning
Professional pet-friendly cleaning may be cheaper than deposit deductions for missed spots. Hiring the right professionals boosts your chance of securing a deposit refund, and you don’t have to stress about the move-out inspection!
- A National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) survey revealed that 85% of landlords and agents have experienced pet-related damage in rental properties.
- According to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), common reasons for deposit deductions include issues related to pet hair, odours, and damage to furnishings.
Deals for pet owners
Pet owners don’t just need a basic cleaning, so professionals like Buzz Maids offer bundle deals for them. They will benefit from complete coverage without paying full price for every add-on. Customers can combine deep carpet and upholstery cleaning, pet odour and stain removal, surface sanitisation, and air purification treatments. Booking them together, they will get discounted rates.
Pre-cleaning checklist for pet owners
What to do before cleaners come
Help professionals work as fast and efficiently as possible with the following tasks:
- Remove all personal items, furniture, and pet accessories (bed, bowls, and litter trays) to give effortless access to every area and ensure cleaners don’t miss anything.
- Vacuum beforehand to remove surface-level pet hair and help cleaners focus on stains, odours, and embedded dirt. This also protects machines against clogging and enhances the outcome.
- Ideally, you want to take your pet elsewhere or secure them in a quiet, clean, secluded area. Cleaning tools and unfamiliar smells may stress your pet, and pets can interfere with the cleaning process.
- Inform professionals on specific spots, stains, strong odours or heavy shedding so they apply adequate treatments.
- Make sure to give access at the set time—it can be a key handover, lockbox code, or being present when cleaners arrive. The smoother the entry, the sooner the cleaners can start cleaning.
Prepare for odour/stain.
The professionals are experts in removing embedded pet odours and stains, but you can always help them. For instance, lightly blot with warm water, mild detergent, urine marks, drool patches, and food spills. Don’t use harsh chemicals—they might affect professional treatments or even set the stains.
Before the cleaners, you should open windows for several hours to reduce trapped odours and moisture. The deodorising treatments will start fresh, and you will improve ventilation for faster drying.
Remove pet items such as blankets, beds, scratching posts, and litter trays as they can hold strong smells. You may wash or remove them. Don’t use scented sprays or cover-ups, as you can impede cleaners from finding the problematic areas. Leave the air natural—the pros will find and address the root cause, not just the signs.
Inform the cleaners about areas with repeat accidents, persistent smells, and previous DIY cleaning attempts—they will know which products, equipment, and techniques to employ for best efficiency.
Keep your furry friends safe and stress-free during the cleaning.
As mentioned, keeping the pets elsewhere for the day is ideal. This way, they will have no exposure to the cleaning products, no risk of slipping on wet surfaces, and enjoy a calmer environment for the day. If not possible, place your pets in a quiet, clean separate room with food, water, bedding, and a favourite toy, something that smells familiar. Have a walk or a play session with your pet before cleaning starts to make your pet calmer and more relaxed.
Remind the professionals where your pet is so that they avoid that room.
Stories from pet owners who got their full deposit back
“I was certain I would lose part of my deposit because of all that dog hair in the carpets. Buzz Maids make the carpets look new, and even the letting agent was impressed with the outcome”—Tom J., Shepherd’s Bush, dog owner
“Our two cats scratched the skirting boards all the time. Buzz Maids cleaned the place and took photos, helping us show how the skirting boards looked before we moved in. This helped us fully regain our deposit.”—Marie S, Manchester.
“I bundled carpet, upholstery cleaning and air purification. The rental was left pristine and crisp-smelling, and there was no problem receiving my whole deposit back”. Jack T., Sheffield.
End Note
Only pet owners understand how pets change our lives for the better. And only pet owners are willing to take the chance of not receiving their deposit back in full because of their pets. However, with the right professional cleaners and a proper approach, even pet owners can vacate without losing their deposit money. Buzz Maids is a company ready to save the day for pet owners, no matter the challenges their pets leave behind!
RESOURCES
- https://www.landlordforumproject.co.uk/landlord-advice-help/refunding-a-pet-payment/
- https://blog.openrent.co.uk/pets-in-rental-properties-what-every-landlord-should-know/
- https://www.mydeposits.co.uk/content-hub/pet-rent-and-pet-deposits/
- https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/A-Guide-to-Pets-in-Rented-Properties.pdf
- https://thehappyhousecleaning.co.uk/essential-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-tips-for-pet-owners-get-your-deposit-back/
- https://magicprocleaning.co.uk/blog/pet-owners-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-tips
- https://1gocleaningservices.co.uk/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-tips-every-pet-owner/