When you move out of a rented home in Bournemouth, your deposit is on the line, and cleaning is by far the most common reason tenants lose part of it. The standard expected at check-out is higher than most people realise: agents and inventory clerks compare the property against the move-in report, and 'clean' means professionally clean, not just tidy.
Here's what gets checked, and how to hand the property back in a condition that protects every penny of your deposit.
The kitchen is where deposits are won or lost
The oven is the single most-flagged item at check-out. Inside the oven, the hob, the extractor and behind appliances all need degreasing. Clear and wipe inside every cupboard and drawer, descale the sink and taps, and don't forget the seal around the fridge and the washing machine drawer.
Bathrooms: descale everything
Limescale on taps, shower screens, tiles and around the toilet is an instant flag. Everything should be descaled, sanitised and polished, including extractor fans, mirrors and the often-forgotten underside of the toilet seat and base.
Don't forget the 'invisible' areas
These are the areas tenants most often miss and clerks most often check. A streak-free finish on internal glass and dust-free skirting boards signals a genuinely professional clean.
- Skirting boards, door frames, doors and light switches
- Internal windows, sills and window frames
- Inside built-in wardrobes and storage
- Behind and underneath movable furniture
- Extractor fans, vents and radiator tops
Carpets and flooring
If carpets were professionally cleaned at the start of the tenancy, you'll usually be expected to return them the same way. Keep the receipt, proof of professional carpet cleaning is often the difference in a deposit dispute.
Why a professional clean usually pays for itself
A professional end of tenancy clean is built around the exact checklist agents use, and reputable cleaners back it with a re-clean guarantee if anything's flagged. Given that cleaning deductions often run to several hundred pounds, the cost of the clean is typically far less than the deposit it protects, and it saves you a day on your hands and knees during an already stressful move.