How Much landlord charge for cleaning in the UK

In the UK, landlords are allowed to charge tenants for cleaning services, but there are rules to ensure that these fees are appropriate and not too high. These rules are designed to protect the tenants from paying unfair extra charges and to ensure that landlords only take the real costs.. This guide explains everything for both landlords and tenants.

Why Does This Matter?

Moving from one house to another costs more. You have already paid a large deposit amount to your current landlord, and you have to pay one and one plus rent in your new place, so your entire deposit amount really means something.

Tenants sometimes do not get their whole deposit back because the landlord takes some money out of it for the cleaning of their property. And mostly because the property has gone through some damage or is not properly cleaned. 

Are Cleaning Charges Legal in the UK?

Yes, these are legal only if these certain conditions are met. Here are some reason that makes a cleaning charge legal in the UK:

• The property should be dirty, not just the marks of general use.
• The cleaning fee should be the same as the cleaner actually charges.
• The lease should clearly mention the cleaning rules.

If those things are found within the place, then a landlord can ask you about that, and you have to pay for the damage to the property. But these costs must be appropriate and supported with receipts from real services.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019

This law protects the tenants from paying unfair charges. It says that the landlords and agents can not ask for too high charges. 

For example:

• If a cleaner requires a fee of £ 100, he can ask all landlords.
• If the place is already clean, there should be no fee.

The law is there to stop the landlords from getting extra profit from cleaning claims.

What About Carpet Cleaning?

Yes, the landlord can charge for cleaning the carpet if the carpet is dirty or colored. But:

• It must be written in a lease.
• The cost should match a real cleaning service.
• The landlord must show a receipt.

You cannot be charged for normal wear and tear, such as in the worn areas, but if the carpet is poorly colored or damaged, you can be charged.

Typical Carpet Cleaning Costs:

Carpet Area	Estimated Cost
Small Bedroom	£20–£30
Living Room	£30–£50
Full Property	£90–£150+

If the carpet is beyond cleaning and needs to be replaced, then the landlord must show evidence of the cost, and you should only be charged for damage you have caused.

How Much Can a Landlord Charge for Cleaning?

There is no fixed amount. It depends on the following factors:

• How big is the property? The size of the house matters a lot
• How dirty it is
• What does a local cleaner really charge?

Here is a rough guide for end-of-tenancy cleaning costs in the UK:

Property Size	Estimated Cost
Studio Flat	£100–£150
1-Bedroom Flat	£130–£200
2-Bedroom Flat/House	£180–£250
3-Bedroom House	£220–£300
4–5 Bedroom House	£300–£450+

Again, any cleaning charge must be reasonable, reflect the actual work done, and also come with a receipt. The landlord cannot charge more than they have spent.

Landlord Responsibilities

Landlords have certain duties regarding cleaning and maintenance. Here’s what they must do:By following these steps, landlords avoid confusion and disputes.

Landlord Duties	Details
Start of Tenancy	Property must be clean and in good condition before tenants move in
Regular Inspections	Check the property now and then for cleanliness and damage
Mould & Damp	Deal with mould or damp problems quickly to avoid bigger issues
Clear Cleaning Rules	Add cleaning responsibilities to the tenancy agreement
Provide Cleaning Cost Breakdown	Give tenants a full list of what they’re being charged for cleaning

Tenant Responsibilities

Tenants also have to do their bit. Here’s what’s expected:

Tenant Responsibilities	Details
Clean Regularly	Keep the place clean and tidy throughout the tenancy
Report Issues	Let the landlord know quickly about mould, damp, or other maintenance issues
Follow the Agreement	Stick to the cleaning rules set out in the contract
End of Tenancy Cleaning	Leave the property clean when moving out, or expect a fair cleaning charge

Most cleaning disputes happen because tenants don’t clean properly before moving out. But that can be avoided.

How to Avoid Cleaning Charges

When it is time to move out, you have two options:

1. Clean the property fully by yourself (DIY)
   
2. You can hire a professional cleaning company
   

Let’s look at both.

Option 1: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Cleaning

Cleaning the place yourself might sound cheaper, and you do not have to wait for the cleaning team or company to come and clean, but it is also time-consuming and risky.

You will need to:

• Scrub every surface within the property.
  
• Deep clean the kitchen, along with the bathroom
  
• Defrost and thoroughly clean the fridge/freezer
  
• Wash all the windows, blinds, and curtains
  
• Clean inside kitchen appliances (oven, microwave, etc.)
  
• Hoover and mop all floors
  
• Shampoo carpets if it is looking messy or have not been washed for a long time
  

Depending on the size of the property, this could take almost 2–3 days or more. And if your cleaning is not up to the landlord’s standard, then they might still charge you.

So, while it seems cheaper at first, it actually ends up costing more if the landlord brings in a cleaner anyway.

Option 2: Hire a Professional Cleaning Company

Many tenants prefer to get the property spotless with the help of a professional cleaning team, and for good reason.

Here is why it’s worth it:

• You can save time and a lot of your energy
  
• They usually  follow a checklist, which is used by landlords and agents
  
• They use professional equipment that you don’t have at home.
  
• Carpets, ovens, upholstery, and windows became crystal clear
  
• The invoice acts as proof to avoid cleaning disputes
  

Most importantly, you’re more likely to get your full deposit back.

How Buon Cleaning Can Help

At Buon Cleaning, we work with landlords, agents, and tenants all over the UK. We provide:

• End of tenancy cleaning
  
• Mould and do damp cleaning
  
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning
  
• One-off deep cleans
  
• Affordable packages based on your needs
  

If you are leaving a rental property or preparing it for new tenants, then Buon Cleaning will make it look spotless and up to standard every time.

Why Choose Buon Cleaning?

Here is what makes us different:

• Our team is fully trained and has friendly cleaners
  
• All the work is based on letting the agent checklists
  
• Prices are transparent and are not unfair
  
• Our service is fast and flexible
  
• Specialised mould and damp cleaning
  
• Trusted by property managers and also by private landlords
  

We have helped hundreds of tenants get their deposits back in full, and we can help you too.

Booking Is Easy

In case you need help with your end-of-tenancy clean and want to avoid cleaning disputes or do not want any last-minute difficulty, then call Buon Cleaning or fill out the quick contact form. Buon’s team will book you in at a time that suits you.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning charges can feel a bit confusing, but the law is clear:

• Landlords can charge for the cleaning, can only charge only if the property is dirty.
• Charges must be fair and should reflect the real costs, and must be written into the tenancy agreement.
• Tenants can protect themselves by either cleaning thoroughly or by hiring a team of professionals.

At Buon Cleaning, we are here to help you meet the standard and avoid unnecessary charges, also to keep things stress-free.

Remember, a clean home = a full deposit!