What is the difference between professional and domestic cleaning?

Introduction: professional vs domestic cleaning 

A common question many ask is: What is the difference between professional cleaning and domestic cleaning? While both aim to provide a clean and tidy environment, they can differ significantly in the level of expertise and the quality of work done.  

Professional cleaning refers to deep cleaning at a high standard, which sometimes requires advanced tools and techniques.  

A domestic standard of cleaning, on the other hand, involves routine cleaning that the occupiers generally carry out themselves. While anyone can clean to a domestic standard, it does not meet the professional standard of cleaning.  

By understanding the different standards of cleaning, in the context of your inventory and tenancy agreement, you can avoid misunderstandings and potential disagreements over the deposit return when your tenancy ends.  

In this article, we’ll break down the difference between professional and domestic cleaning, explain its importance in a tenancy, and offer tips for avoiding common cleaning-related issues when moving out. 

What is a professional standard of clean? 

This can vary in scope but usually goes far beyond basic tidying up and can even be designed to restore a property to an almost new condition. Here is a breakdown of what a professional clean can include: 

• Cleaning appliances: This includes deep cleaning the inside of ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines. 

• Carpet cleaning: Using industrial-grade equipment to clean carpets and rugs that may have accumulated dirt or stains 

• Window and glass cleaning: Equipment to clean windows inside and out, leaving them streak-free and spotless. 

• Grout and tile cleaning: Deep cleaning grout lines in bathrooms or kitchens that may have built up dirt or mould 

• Dusting and polishing: This includes dusting everywhere to reach areas such as ceiling fans, light fixtures, and baseboards, as well as polishing surfaces like stainless steel or wood 

What is domestic cleaning? 

Domestic cleaning, on the other hand, refers to the typical, day-to-day cleaning tasks which are less detailed than the professional standard of cleaning. This can include: 

• Surface cleaning: Wiping down kitchen counters, tables, and sinks 

• Bathroom cleaning: cleaning toilets, baths, and showers, but without deep cleaning or mould removal  

• Vacuuming and sweeping: Of all floors, rugs, and carpets and sweeping patios, where there is a garden 

• Tidying up: General tidying of living spaces and removing rubbish 

The most important factor to understand is that anyone can clean to a professional standard and money does not have to be paid to achieve this. Equipment can be hired, and deep cleaning can be carried out by tenants. 

The most common cause for negotiation at the end of tenancies is cleaning, so all parties must be clear on what standard of cleaning is expected in the property when the tenant moves out. Always remember that the tenant is not responsible for leaving it cleaned to a better standard than it was in at the start. 

Can a landlord legally make a tenant hire a professional cleaner?  

Legally, landlords cannot force tenants to hire a professional cleaning service. It is the tenant’s choice how they achieve the required standard of cleaning before they move out. However, by employing a professional cleaning company, tenants can potentially reduce the risk and avoid issues over cleaning costs at the end of the tenancy.  

Cleaning standards requiring resolution  

The standard of cleaning in the property at the end of tenancy is the most common reason for end of tenancy negotiations. The difference between check-in and check-out reports and both landlord and tenant expectations can vary considerably. 

Here are some typical scenarios where disagreements arise: 

• Tenants left the property clean, but not to a professional standard:
  In these cases, the landlord might be entitled to costs if the comparison between check-in and check-out inventories show that the property was left clean but not to the expected level. Tenants will only be expected to pay additional cleaning costs for returning the property cleaned to the same standard as it was at the start 

• Landlord expects more than necessary:
  Occasionally, landlords may expect a professional clean because they spent money on cleaning before the tenant moved in. This is where the detail and description in the check-in and check-out inventories is so important. 

• Unclear cleaning requirements:
  Tenants may not fully understand what a “professional standard” means, leading to confusion. It is essential for tenants to clarify expectations with the landlord or agent before moving out to avoid misunderstandings. 

TIP – all landlords and agents should make sure to refer to ‘standards’ in their inventories and provide some definition for each standard so everyone is clear from the start 

Typical areas of disagreement: 

Cleaning disagreements often arise from the following areas: 

• Oven and kitchen cleaning: Tenants might forget to clean properly or leave appliances like the oven, fridge, or microwave unclean, leading to discussing a resolution 

• Mould: Mould is a common issue in rental properties, particularly in bathrooms or areas with poor ventilation, where excess moisture and warm temperatures create the perfect environment for mould growth. For help and advice, read our tenant tips for dealing with condensation and mould  

• Dusting and surface cleaning: Dust build-up in all areas and those less obvious, like light fittings, ceiling fans, and skirting boards may go unnoticed by tenants carrying out domestic cleaning, which can lead to issues at the check-out

• Carpets and flooring: Carpets may require deep cleaning, particularly if they are stained or heavily used, which is beyond the scope of a typical domestic cleaning job 

• General tidiness: Landlords may expect more than just surface-level tidying, they might expect all areas of the property to be spotless, if that was how the property was when the tenant first moved in 

How to avoid cleaning issues when the tenancy ends: 

To avoid problems try following these tips:

• Know your cleaning responsibilities: Always read your tenancy agreement and check-in inventory carefully so you are clear on the standard of cleaning and detail in the report when you move in, which is how it needs to be left when you move out. If you are unsure or disagree with the inventory description advise your landlord or agent as soon as possible, in writing 

• Regularly clean: While it is unnecessary to pay for cleaning or do a deep clean every week, it is best practice to routinely clean as this will help maintain the standard of cleaning and potentially save time and money cleaning to the required standard at the end  

• Perform a deep clean when moving out: If your check-in inventory says that the property was clean to a professional standard, then it is the tenant’s responsibility to return it cleaned to that standard, whether they carry out the cleaning themselves or pay to have it done 

• Monitor damp and mould: Regularly check for signs of damp or mould growth, particularly in corners, behind furniture, and in areas with poor ventilation. If you spot mould, clean it immediately and take steps to prevent it from returning. If you need advice because the problem will not go away, ask your landlord or agent 

• Document the property’s condition: Take dated photographs of the property during both the check-in and check-out processes. If these differ to those in the inventories, then send them to the landlord or agent as soon as possible after taking them to verify the condition at the time. These photos can be invaluable if there is any disagreement  

• Keep records of cleaning services: If you employ a cleaning company, make sure to keep invoices or receipts as evidence of costs paid. This can help with negotiating any additional costs proposed for cleaning at the end of your tenancy. It may also help you to reclaim some costs from the cleaning company if they have fallen short with the work they carried out

For more guidance, mydeposits insurance partner, Total Landlord, has created an end of tenancy cleaning checklist for landlords and tenants.