Leaving a home you've sold
If you own your home, there's usually no formal cleaning standard for the sale in England and Wales, unless your contract says otherwise. Check the fixtures and fittings form (TA10) to see what you've agreed to leave behind, and remove everything else – including from the loft, shed and garage.
Most buyers reasonably expect to find the home empty, tidy and clean enough to move into. Leaving it clean is a courtesy that avoids an awkward start for the people buying your home and prevents complaints through solicitors.
Leaving a rented home
Tenants need to return the property in the condition recorded at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear. That usually means a thorough clean of the whole property. See our end of tenancy cleaning checklist.
A sensible moving-out sequence
The best approach is to clean as you empty, rather than all at the end:
- In the weeks before: declutter, sell or donate, and run down the freezer
- A few days before: clean inside cupboards and wardrobes as you empty them
- Defrost the freezer the day before if it's going with you or staying
- Once the removal van has gone: vacuum, wipe surfaces, clean the kitchen and bathroom
- Last thing: take photos, note your final gas, electricity and water readings, lock up and hand over keys
Cleaning your new home before you unpack
Even if the previous occupants cleaned, a move-in clean before your furniture arrives is the easiest it will ever be. Focus on the places you'll use immediately: the kitchen, where you'll prepare food, the bathrooms and the bedrooms.
- Inside kitchen cupboards and drawers, before your things go in
- Fridge and freezer before they're filled
- Toilets, showers and baths
- Wardrobes and drawers in bedrooms
- Floors, before furniture covers them
Get quotes from local cleaners
Should you book professionals?
Moving day is exhausting, and cleaning at both ends on the same day is a lot. Many people book a professional end of tenancy or move-out clean for the home they're leaving, and a move-in or deep clean for the new one. If timing allows, getting the new home cleaned before your belongings arrive is the most efficient option. Our comparison of move-in and end of tenancy cleaning explains the differences.
Packing a cleaning kit for moving day
Pack a separate box or bag that goes in the car, not the van, so it's available at both ends:
- Multi-purpose spray, bathroom cleaner and washing-up liquid
- Microfibre cloths, a sponge and rubber gloves
- Bin bags
- A small vacuum or dustpan and brush
- Toilet roll, hand soap and a towel
- Kettle, mugs and tea or coffee
- A torch, scissors and a phone charger
When the old and new homes overlap
If you have a few days between getting keys to the new home and leaving the old one, use them. Clean the new home before your furniture arrives, then move, and come back to clean the old home once it's empty. It's far less stressful than cleaning both on one day.
If you're moving on the same day as you complete, plan which home gets the professional clean. Many people book a professional clean for the home they're leaving (especially if renting) and do a quick clean of the new one themselves, saving the deep clean for once they've settled in.
Don't forget
These are often overlooked on both sides of a move:
- Behind and under appliances you're taking with you
- Light switches and door handles
- The front door and doorstep
- Bins – emptied and rinsed
- Lofts, sheds and garages cleared
