(And How to Avoid Them in 2025)**
Urban Property Care – End of Tenancy Specialists in Southampton
Moving out of a rented home is stressful enough — and the last thing any tenant wants is a fight over deposit deductions. Yet every year, thousands of tenants lose money because they missed small but important cleaning tasks during check-out.
From our experience providing professional end of tenancy cleaning across Southampton and surrounding areas, here are the top 10 areas tenants forget to clean — and how to make sure you don’t lose money over them.
1. The Oven (Number One Deposit Killer)
Almost every landlord and letting agent expects the oven to be cleaned to a professional standard, meaning:
- No grease
- No burnt food
- No carbon deposits
- Clean racks and trays
- Clean door glass
This is one of the most commonly deducted items during inspections.
Tip: Book a professional oven clean — it saves hours and protects your deposit.
2. Carpets (Especially With Pets or Stains)
Even if you vacuum weekly, carpets hold:
- Odours
- Dust and allergens
- Food and drink stains
- Pet hair
- Dirt deep in the fibres
Most tenancy agreements in Southampton require professional carpet cleaning, especially if the property was professionally cleaned before move-in.
Tip: Check your contract — carpet cleaning is often mandatory.
3. Kitchen Cupboards (Inside & Outside)
Tenants often clean the outside but forget the inside. Inventory clerks check for:
- Crumbs
- Spills
- Grease
- Sticky shelves
Even clean-looking kitchens fail inspections because of cupboard interiors.
4. Skirting Boards & Door Frames
Dust builds up over time — especially behind furniture. These areas are photographed during check-out.
Tip: Wipe all skirting boards and door frames with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.
5. Extractor Fans (Kitchen & Bathroom)
Fans collect grease, dust, and sometimes mould. If they aren’t cleaned, agents will mark them as unclean or blocked, leading to deductions.
6. Light Switches, Sockets & High-Touch Areas
Fingerprints and grime build up but go unnoticed until the agent walks around with bright lighting.
Tip: Quick wipe-down = instant improvement.
7. Window Frames & Tracks
Cleaning the window glass is not enough. Most tenants forget:
- Window tracks
- Frames
- Handles
- Sills
- Internal edges
Inspectors photograph these areas closely.
8. Behind & Under Appliances
Areas behind:
- Washing machines
- Fridges
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
…collect a surprising amount of dirt.
Tenants rarely move these appliances, but many landlords expect them to be cleaned if accessible.
9. Limescale in Bathrooms
Southampton has hard water, meaning:
- Limescale on taps
- Showerscreens
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Tiles
If these aren’t cleaned properly, bathrooms will fail inspection even if everything else looks fine.
10. The Fridge Freezer
People often forget:
- Shelves
- Drawers
- Door seals
- Handles
- Freezer defrosting
Mould or odour in a fridge = instant deduction.
BONUS: Areas Tenants Rarely Think About
- Cobwebs on ceilings
- Blinds (especially Venetian blinds)
- Radiators (tops and behind)
- Kitchen kickboards
- Washing machine detergent drawers
- Inside wardrobes
- Disinfecting high-touch points
These details make a big difference during agent check-outs.
How to Make Sure You Pass Your End of Tenancy Inspection
Here are our top tips:
1. Follow an agent-approved checklist
Urban Property Care uses professional checklists required by landlords and letting agents.
2. Take your own photos before leaving
Document the condition of each room.
3. Book carpet cleaning if required
Especially if pets have lived in the property.
4. Send a video to your cleaning company
We can often reduce your quote once we see the true condition.
5. Get a professional cleaning certificate
We provide certificates to show landlords the work was completed.
Professional Move-Out Cleaning Across Southampton
Urban Property Care offers:
- Full end of tenancy cleaning
- Carpet cleaning
- Oven cleaning
- Appliance cleaning
- Deep cleaning
- Move-in cleaning
- Window cleaning
- Certificates for landlords & agents
We serve:
Southampton, Eastleigh, Totton, Hedge End, Romsey, Hythe, Marchwood, Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and surrounding areas.
Book Your Clean Today
If you want to avoid deposit deductions and hand your keys back with confidence, we’re here to help.
Urban Property Care
Trading name of Urban Heights Access Solutions Ltd (09852838)
White Building Studios, 1–4 Cumberland Place, Southampton, SO15 2NP
Email: sean@urbanpropertycare.co.uk
Website: urbanpropertycare.co.uk
