Inside track: end of tenancy cleaning

At the end of a tenancy, it’s common to organise a professional cleaning company to carry out a thorough clean before the next residents move in. At check-out there will often be issues related to cleaning that come up in our inspections, so we generate a cleaning report for you which you can easily pass on to the professionals.

So how can property managers best handle this essential part of a smooth property handover? 

We talked to Chris Lewis of long-established firm Hyway Cleaning, a specialist tenancy cleaning service, to find out more about the ins and outs of end of tenancy cleans – a sticky issue!

Chris and his team clean around 6,000 properties a year so there’s not very much about cleaning he doesn’t know. Here’s some of the frequently asked questions he and his team deal with.

Q: What are your biggest headaches when cleaning at the end of a tenancy?

A: Leftover rubbish is a big problem; it can delay the return of deposits and creates extra work before you even begin cleaning anything.

Q: What can property managers or landlords do to help?

A: We often find ourselves playing detective when property managers or outgoing tenants haven’t given us the full picture about what state the place is actually in. If we know beforehand we can ensure we have all the equipment and materials we need to do the job right the first time. Having to come back costs time and money for everyone.

Q: What’s a good way to ensure everyone’s on the same page?

A: If a property manager is instructing us on a clean we would ask for the cleaning or check-out report so we can work to the clerk’s comments. We find this is closer to reality than anyone else’s interpretation of the condition of the property. First-hand inspections by independent inventory clerks are priceless for us.

Q: What else makes an end-of-tenancy clean go smoothly?

A: Getting proper access to the property is an absolute must for our cleaning crew – there’s nothing more frustrating than turning up ready to tackle the job, only to be left standing on the doorstep because someone’s forgotten to sort the keys!

Q: What are the worst causes of cleaning nightmares?

A: If the previous renters were smokers or had furry friends– the stubborn smells and pet hairs can double our cleaning time, which most folks don’t realize until we’re knee-deep in the job.

Q: How do you get rid of the smells and stains?

A: There’s no magic wand for that stubborn nicotine smell so the best way will be to get the walls and ceilings freshly painted and send the curtains for a proper dry clean. We’d need to give all soft furnishings a thorough steam clean and deodorising treatment to stand any chance of shifting those smells.

Q: Have you ever encountered a property you can’t clean?

A: No but we have certainly had particularly dirty properties. The property manager must provide all the information they have on a filthy property so we can quote accordingly. We can visit the property ourselves to provide a firm quote.  

Q: Do you ever get called back to clean again?

A: Not really but if we did we’d need to see evidence. The clerk or property manager would need to send photos and, as we always take our own before and after, we’d need to be able to make a comparison. If there were genuine issues then of course we’d go back, at no charge.

Q: When are your busiest times? 

A: We’re always busy at the end of each month, especially from spring to the end of autumn so it’s essential to book your cleaning jobs ahead of time.

Q: Do you use eco cleaning products or have an opinion on them?

A: We don’t get asked for this much and if we did we’d refuse the job. We know what it takes to get a home really clean and have our tried and trusted methods and products. Eco cleaning is fine for day to day upkeep but not for the type of deep cleaning we do.

Q: What else would make a cleaning job ‘special’?

A: Floors made of wood, marble or slate all require specialist attention which is why those clerk’s inspection reports are so important. They will have that detail that we need to ensure we know what’s in store for us and have the right equipment on hand. 

Q: Have you got any top tips for cleaning we can steal? 

A: Baby oil for cleaning stainless steel and WD40 for removing sticky substances and tape marks. But we never advise tenants to attempt cleaning anything themselves other than daily upkeep, it’s best left to professionals if you want to avoid permanent damage to fixtures, fittings and walls.

In addition to our unique cleaning reports, LetCheck’s property inspection reports help you get to the heart of the matter quickly. Within a couple of clicks, you can switch from the detailed report (with all the evidence you need including short videos) to an action-ready Excel worksheet that enables you to fine-tune and add costings.

This system saves property managers on average up to 60% of the time spent on end-of-tenancy admin.