January end of tenancy: a landlord and tenant deposit checklist
Lots of tenancies end just after Christmas. That means busy cleaners, busy inventory clerks, and landlords wanting to re-let quickly. The ones who plan the clean around the key-return date get their deposits back first.
Book around the key-return date, not the move date
The clean should happen after the last furniture has gone and before the check-out inspection. In January, that gap is often one day, so book as soon as you know your key-return date.
What clerks check that people forget
- Inside the oven, the grill pan and the extractor filter
- The fridge seals and the freezer drawer
- Limescale on taps, shower screens and around the plughole
- Skirting boards, door frames and light switches
- Window tracks and sills. In winter, condensation leaves black marks here
- Carpets, especially where furniture stood and in doorways
Winter-specific problems
Condensation in January shows up as black spotting on window seals, bathroom silicone and cold corners. Surface marks can be cleaned, but deep staining in silicone often needs resealing. It's better to know that before the inspection than after.
Wet boots and cold weather also mean more marks on hall and stair carpets, which is why many January cleans include a carpet clean.
For landlords: shorten the empty period
If the clean, carpets and small paint touch-ups are done in one visit, the property can be photographed and listed within days of the old tenant leaving, instead of waiting on several trades.
FAQs
When should I book a January end of tenancy clean?
As soon as you know your key-return date. Late December and January are some of the busiest weeks of the year.
Do you send photos for the deposit?
Yes. You get a photo report at sign-off to keep with your records.
Can carpets be done at the same time?
Yes. Carpets can be added to the same visit and quoted together as one fixed price.
End of Tenancy Cleaning Barnsley
Fixed WhatsApp quotes back usually the same day during working hours. Evenings and weekends across Barnsley and South Yorkshire.