What a check-out inspection is
At the end of a tenancy, the landlord, letting agent or an independent inventory clerk visits the empty property and compares its condition with the check-in inventory. They record the condition and cleanliness of each room, item and fixture, usually with photos, and note any differences.
The resulting check-out report is used to agree deposit deductions, and it's the main evidence a deposit scheme adjudicator looks at if there's a dispute. Independent clerks often belong to a professional body such as the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC).
How cleanliness is graded
Many reports use a standard scale for cleanliness, such as professionally clean, domestically clean, good, fair and poor, or similar wording. 'Professionally clean' typically means cleaned to a high standard with no marks or residue, the condition expected if a professional end of tenancy clean has been done. 'Domestically clean' is a good everyday standard, but may have minor marks or dust.
The key comparison is with check-in. If the property was professionally clean when you moved in, the landlord can reasonably expect a similar standard back. If it was only domestically clean, that's all you need to match.
What inventory clerks look at, room by room
A thorough clerk checks far more than a casual glance would. Expect them to open everything and look in corners:
Kitchen
Inside the oven, grill and grill pan, the hob and extractor hood and filters, inside the fridge and freezer (and whether it's been defrosted), inside the dishwasher and washing machine (filter, seal, detergent drawer), inside every cupboard and drawer, worktops, sink and taps, tiles and splashbacks, and the floor including edges and under kick boards where visible.
Bathrooms
Limescale on taps, shower heads, screens and tiles; mould on sealant and grout; the toilet including under the rim and the base; extractor fan covers; mirrors; cabinets; and plugholes.
Living areas and bedrooms
Skirting boards, door frames and doors, light switches and sockets, light fittings, window sills and frames, radiators, inside wardrobes, carpets and hard floors, walls for marks, and curtains or blinds.
Outside, where included
Gardens, patios, bins, garages and sheds, if they're part of the tenancy and recorded in the inventory.
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Preparing for the inspection
A little preparation makes a big difference to the report:
- Read your check-in inventory and compare the condition room by room
- Remove all belongings, rubbish and food, including from sheds and lofts
- Clean thoroughly, or book a professional end of tenancy clean timed before the inspection
- Allow carpets to dry fully if they've been cleaned
- Replace dead bulbs and return all keys, fobs and remotes
- Take dated photos and video of every room after cleaning
- Keep invoices for cleaning and carpet cleaning
If you disagree with the report
Ask for a copy of the check-out report and photos. If you think something is unfair – a mark that was there at check-in, wear and tear described as damage, or a cleaning point that your photos contradict – reply in writing with your evidence. Most issues are resolved by negotiation.
If you can't agree, your deposit protection scheme offers free dispute resolution. The adjudicator will weigh the check-in and check-out reports, photos, invoices and the tenancy agreement. Our guide to deposit deductions for cleaning explains what tends to succeed.
Using your cleaning guarantee
If the report raises cleaning points and you used a professional cleaner with a re-clean guarantee, send the relevant extract to the company immediately. Most guarantees have a short time window – see end of tenancy cleaning guarantees. For landlords preparing a property for the next tenant, our guide to cleaning between tenancies covers turnaround cleans.
