End of tenancy cleaning disputes are the single biggest cause of deposit deductions in the UK. In Portsmouth - with thousands of student and private rentals across Southsea, Fratton, Cosham and North End - knowing exactly what your landlord or letting agent checks can be the difference between getting your full deposit back and losing hundreds of pounds.
Here is what they are actually looking for, room by room.
The Kitchen
This is where most disputes start. Landlords and agents check:
- The oven - inside, including the back wall, door glass (both sides), racks and grease traps. A dirty oven is the most commonly cited cleaning issue in tenancy disputes.
- The hob - including around burners and underneath removable parts
- Inside all cupboards and drawers - crumbs, grease marks and sticky residue
- Behind and under appliances - fridge, washing machine, dishwasher
- Extractor fan and filter - grease build-up is immediately visible
- Sink and taps - limescale, water marks and soap residue
The Bathroom
Bathrooms are inspected closely for limescale and mould - both extremely common in Portsmouth properties due to the humid coastal climate.
- Shower screen or bath - limescale, soap scum and mould in silicone seals
- Toilet - under the rim, around the base and behind the cistern
- Tiles and grout - discolouration, mould and dirt in grout lines
- Extractor fan - dust and grime on the cover
- Mirror - smears and water spots
All Rooms
- Carpets - stains, odours, and overall condition compared to the check-in inventory
- Skirting boards - dust and scuff marks along the bottom
- Light switches and plug sockets - fingerprints and grime build-up
- Window sills and windows - inside glass, frames and ledges
- Door frames and tops of doors - dust accumulation, often missed
The Check-In Inventory Is Your Benchmark
Landlords do not just check whether something is clean - they compare it against the condition recorded at the start of your tenancy. If the property was professionally cleaned before you moved in, you are expected to return it to that same standard. This is why a professional end of tenancy clean is almost always worth the cost.
What Happens If You Do Not Pass?
The landlord or agent will typically get quotes for cleaning and deduct the cost from your deposit - usually at a higher rate than you would pay yourself. With Portsmouth rents and deposits as high as they are, that can easily run to £200-£500 or more.
VS Group Ltd End of Tenancy Cleaning in Portsmouth
We clean to landlord and letting agent inventory standards. Our end of tenancy service starts from £150 and covers every item on the checklist above - oven deep clean included as standard, with before-and-after photos on request.
We cover all Portsmouth postcodes: PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5 and PO6 - including Southsea, Fratton, Cosham, Hilsea, North End, Landport, Milton and Eastney.
We also offer a free re-clean guarantee. If your landlord raises any concerns within 72 hours, we return at no extra charge.
Book your end of tenancy clean online or contact us for a free quote. We often have same-day and next-day availability - ideal if you are working to a tight handover deadline.