What Do Cleaners Not Clean? End of Tenancy Surprises

Think a hired cleaner will scrub every inch so you can just hand over the keys? Not quite. Even with the more detailed end of tenancy packages, there are always things left out—sometimes the things your landlord cares about most. If you want your whole deposit back, knowing what gets skipped can save you a headache.

Here’s the short version: cleaners deal with dirt, not damage. They’ll wipe shelves and mop floors, sure. But remove mold from silicone seals, patch up wall marks, or empty your attic? Nope. They also won’t tidy up your forgotten piles of stuff or tackle repairs from your cat’s “adventures.” So, before you book your clean, get clear on what’s included—and what’s on you—so you’re not left frantically spackling walls the night before your inspection.

• What an End of Tenancy Cleaner Actually Does
• The Big No-Go List: What Cleaners Usually Skip
• Personal Items and Clutter: Still Your Problem
• Stains, Damage, and Permanent Fixtures
• Hidden Areas Landlords Still Inspect
• Smart Moves to Get Your Full Deposit Back

What an End of Tenancy Cleaner Actually Does

Everyone’s heard of end of tenancy cleaning, but what do these pros actually cover? Well, it’s not just a quick vacuum or wiping down the bathroom sink. They follow a structured checklist designed to make the place look ready for the next tenant—and crucially, to satisfy your landlord’s standards so you can get your deposit back. But it’s important to know what’s on that list and what’s not.

Here’s where they put in most of their elbow grease:

• end of tenancy cleaning focuses on all visible and reachable surfaces—think counter tops, cupboards (inside and out), skirting boards, and door frames.
• They deep clean kitchens, scrubbing the oven, extractor fans, hobs, splashbacks, and even the fridge and freezer if they’re empty.
• Bathrooms get disinfected—tiles, showers, toilets, bath tubs, sinks, mirrors all get a proper clean.
• Vacuuming and mopping come standard across all rooms, including pet hair removal from carpets.
• Light switches, handles, and window sills are wiped down too.
• They empty bins and remove surface dust from furniture left behind, like shelves or wardrobes.

It’s useful to see their standard checklist compared to what most people expect:

Most end of tenancy cleaners work from a fixed list, and you’ll usually get a run-through with the company before booking. Always check for any possible extras or exclusions, especially if you’ve got things like mildew, heavy limescale, or stained grout. You don’t want to assume something’s handled and end up being charged by your landlord later. If you want something off-list cleaned, like a garage or a garden shed, ask in advance—they’ll often charge extra, or refer you somewhere else.

The Big No-Go List: What Cleaners Usually Skip

If you’re hiring end of tenancy cleaners, don’t expect miracles. These pros will blitz the place, but some jobs are straight-up ignored, no matter how much you pay. Why? Insurance restrictions, hygiene rules, or it’s just not their job. Here’s what usually never makes it onto their checklist.

• Personal belongings – Got boxes, food in cupboards, or junk in the attic? Cleaners will not remove your stuff. If anything’s left behind, it’s your deposit on the line.
• Heavy stains or deep-set damage – Carpet ruined by wine, marker on the wall, grease that’s baked into oven enamel? These need specialist treatment or sometimes can’t be fixed at all. Standard cleaning companies won’t try tackling them.
• Walls and ceilings – You’ll see dusting, but not stain removal or repainting. Most won’t pitch a ladder for a ceiling cobweb either.
• External windows – Most contracts cover the insides only. Cleaning the outer pane, especially on higher floors, isn’t on the menu.
• Maintenance or repairs – Got a broken tile, leaky tap, or squeaky door? That’s for a handyperson, not your cleaner.
• Mould removal – Light mildew might get wiped, but stubborn black mould in grout, silicone, or around windows is a health issue. Most cleaners aren’t licensed for it.
• Light fixtures, fans, and extractor hoods (internals) – Wiping the outside is normal, but cleaners rarely take these fixtures apart to do a deep clean inside. Some refuse on safety grounds.
• Pest problems – If you’ve got a trail of ants or something scarier, it’s a pest controller’s job, not the cleaner’s.
• Gardens, garages, sheds – Outdoor spaces rarely get more than a basic sweep. No weeding or rubbish removal included.

Check out how often tenants lose out for skipping these tasks:

Takeaway? Don’t wait for the pros to sort everything—make a quick checklist of these common skips before your final clean. Landlords are strict about this stuff, especially when the property’s about to be inspected for new tenants. A little effort now means less arguing over your money later.

Personal Items and Clutter: Still Your Problem

Here’s a fact that catches a lot of people off guard: end of tenancy cleaning never includes your leftover stuff. If you leave clothes at the back of a closet, empty pizza boxes under the bed, or half-empty shampoo bottles in the bathroom, pros won’t touch them. Their job is cleaning, not clearing out your belongings. That stuff goes right back onto your to-do list, whether you’re in London, Manchester, or pretty much anywhere else in the UK.

This point matters for your wallet. According to a 2023 survey by the Deposit Protection Service, about 21% of tenants lose part of their deposit because of personal items left behind. Landlords don’t want to pay for junk removal, and most cleaning companies have strict rules: if it looks like your belongings, they’ll clean around it or just ignore that area altogether. That means your dusty box of old gadgets could literally block a cleaner from hoovering a section of carpet. The landlord will spot it. Your deposit takes the hit.

Here’s a quick rundown of what cleaners typically leave alone:

• Clothes, shoes, and bags in wardrobes or on floors
• Food left anywhere, especially in cupboards or the fridge
• Personal hygiene items and makeup in bathrooms
• Random knick-knacks, books, or electronics
• Furniture or large items you agreed to remove

If you’re worried about missing something, walk through each room with a bag in hand. Don’t forget those awkward spots—on top of cupboards, under sinks, behind big furniture. Cleaners charge extra for removal of these, if they offer such a service at all. Check your cleaning company’s website if you’re not sure—terms like “possession removal” or “junk clearance” are not usually included.

Some people think a couple of items won’t matter, but here’s a quick comparison of what often gets left versus what should leave with you:

It sounds fussy, but it’s either fifteen minutes gathering your stuff or waiting weeks for a deduction dispute. The choice is yours, and so is the savings.

Stains, Damage, and Permanent Fixtures

End of tenancy cleaning doesn’t mean miracle work. If you’re hoping cleaners will erase every stain or fix things that are broken, that’s not how it goes. Most companies draw a clear line: they clean dirt, they don’t repair or replace. So if you spilled wine on the carpet or knocked a dent into the wall, expect to handle it yourself before handover day.

Let’s break down what falls outside the cleaner’s job:

• Stubborn Stains: Cleaners will try, but some stains just don’t budge. That includes old coffee marks on counters, red wine on carpets, pen ink on walls, or burned-on stuff in ovens. Getting rid of these often takes special treatments—or even replacing what’s ruined. Standard cleaning gear isn’t enough.
• Damage: Anything broken or damaged—like cracked tiles, chipped paint, holes in the walls, or missing fittings—stays your responsibility as the tenant. Cleaners don’t patch, paint, or do repairs. If you want to keep your full deposit, you might have to fix these or hire someone who can.
• Permanent Fixtures: Built-in appliances, radiators, light fittings, or shower screens only get a surface clean. If there’s limescale built up or deep grime, you might need a specialist. Cleaners won’t replace filters in extractors or fix a dripping tap. They won’t go beyond light dusting and wipe-downs.

Landlords know these rules—they’ll use any leftover scuffs or stains as a reason to take money off your deposit. In the UK, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme reported that about 56% of deposit disputes in 2024 involved cleaning and damage disagreements. That’s a lot of hassle over things a cleaner simply won’t do.

A good end of tenancy cleaning company will be honest about what they can’t tackle up front. So, if you spot any of these problems, put them on your DIY list or call in pro trades if you want to avoid last-minute deposit drama.

Hidden Areas Landlords Still Inspect

The real shocker for a lot of renters? Landlords or agents will poke around places you probably stopped noticing ages ago. Regular cleaners focus on what you see, but that’s exactly where some of the most common foul-ups happen—because landlords know the weak spots.

Here's a reality check: according to a UK tenancy dispute service, nearly 60% of end of tenancy disputes are about cleaning, and the sneaky, missed zones are usually the reason. If you want your deposit safe, you’ve got to pay extra attention to these magnet areas for grime and complaints:

• end of tenancy cleaning usually skips behind kitchen appliances. Pull out the fridge or washing machine and you’ll find dust, dropped bits of food, and sticky gunk. Landlords peek here expecting cleanliness.
• Inside the oven – sure, the door looks clean, but what about the racks, trays, and far corners? Build-up here is a classic fine trigger.
• Extractor fans and bathroom vents – dust cakes up fast, and it's one of those "they’ll never check" spots most folks ignore. Nope, landlords do notice.
• Interior of cupboards and cabinets – crumbs, stains, and old bits of food never make a property manager smile. Open every door and check for grime.
• Window tracks and sills – those black streaks or old spider webs fly under the radar for most tenants but not during check-out.
• Behind the toilets – seriously, bend down and look. Dust, hair, and… let’s just say, old drips, all pile up out of sight.

Check out how often these spots lead to cleaning disputes in a recent survey:

Your best move? Do a pre-handover hunt through all these nooks. Use your phone flashlight and check every place you wouldn’t see unless you were actively looking. If it's grimy, landlords will spot it—and that's where cleaning companies usually shrug and walk away.

Smart Moves to Get Your Full Deposit Back

If you’re eyeing that full deposit, details matter more than people think. Landlords and letting agents use strict checklists during inspections, and even small issues turn into reasons to knock cash off. Here’s what actually works—none of it is rocket science, but skip one and you’ll likely pay for it later.

• End of tenancy cleaning is only part of the story. Make sure you clear every personal item—drawers, cupboards, basements, even behind radiators. A shoe left behind can cost you money.
• Patch up obvious wall holes and scuffs – command strips and nails almost always leave a mark, and agents look for these.
• Deal with limescale and grease in hidden spots, like the back of taps, shower heads, and under oven hobs. These are hot spots on most inventory reports.
• Test every appliance. This means running the washing machine or dishwasher on empty to clear smells and blockages. If the fridge or freezer’s included, defrost and wipe inside so there’s no mold or leftover food.
• If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or balcony, tidy it. Uncut grass, weeds, and bin bags are big deposit killers. Sweep patios, remove litter, and don’t forget windows outside if they’re reachable.

Document everything with time-stamped photos before you leave. Don’t just snap rooms as a whole—zoom in on tricky spots like sinks, oven interiors, and window sills. This is your evidence if there’s a dispute.

*Based on 2024 UK letting agency reports for end of tenancy deposit deductions

If the cleaner’s job stops at scrubbing, your job is follow-up. A landlord can’t charge you for regular wear and tear, but they’re quick to spot things anyone could have handled with an extra ten minutes. Make those extra ten minutes count, and your bank account will thank you.