Renters' Rights Act 2025: three things that changed for end-of-tenancy cleaning in London.

End-of-tenancy cleaning disputes are decided by evidence of condition, responsibility and reasonable cost. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 changed important parts of renting in England, but it did not create a special cleaning-dispute limit or replace the deposit-protection process in 2026.

Can a landlord require professional cleaning?

A landlord or letting agent cannot require a tenant to pay a separate mandatory fee for a third-party cleaning service. The Tenant Fees Act guidance lists the payments that can be required in England; a compulsory cleaning-service fee is not on that list.

The tenant can still be responsible for returning the property to the level of cleanliness recorded at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear. The practical question is the condition of the property, not whether the tenant used a particular cleaning company.

What evidence matters in a deposit dispute?

A tenancy deposit remains the tenant's money unless the landlord establishes a justified deduction. For cleaning, the strongest records are the signed check-in inventory, dated check-out photographs, correspondence about specific areas and a reasonable invoice or estimate for putting the property back to its recorded starting condition.

• Before cleaning: photograph every room, appliance interior and existing mark.
• After cleaning: repeat the same angles and retain the originals with dates.
• At handover: keep the cleaning invoice, key-return record and any inventory-clerk report.
• If a deduction is proposed: ask which check-in and check-out evidence supports it and how the amount was calculated.

What did the Renters' Rights Act change?

The Act introduced a wider programme of tenancy reform, including a future Private Rented Sector Database and Landlord Ombudsman. According to the government's implementation roadmap, the database rollout begins from late 2026 and mandatory landlord membership of the Ombudsman is expected in 2028 after the service has been established.

That means the future Ombudsman should not be described as the current route for ordinary cleaning-deposit disputes in September 2026. Where a protected deposit is disputed, tenants and landlords should follow the process of the government-approved deposit scheme holding or insuring that deposit.

A practical check-out plan

1. Read the check-in inventory and make a room-by-room task list.
2. Ask the agent whether they have a check-out checklist, without accepting an obligation to buy a named cleaning service.
3. Book enough cleaning time for the actual condition of the property.
4. Keep dated photographs and an itemised invoice.
5. Respond to any proposed deduction with the relevant records rather than general statements.

How Hausio documents an end-of-tenancy clean

Hausio's London end-of-tenancy cleaning is £32 per hour with a five-hour minimum per cleaner. The agreed checklist, optional extras and applicable access charges are shown before booking. Customers can also request before-and-after photographs and use the invoice as a record of the completed work.

For costs, likely duration and the cleaning checklist, see the London end-of-tenancy cleaning price guide.

This article provides general information for England and is not legal advice. For a specific dispute, check your deposit scheme's guidance or seek independent housing advice.