What Is Commercial End-of-Lease Cleaning?
Commercial end-of-lease cleaning is a thorough clean of business premises when a tenant moves out, so the unit can be handed back to the landlord in the condition the lease requires. It is sometimes called a commercial end-of-tenancy clean, a handover clean or a move-out clean.
Most commercial leases include a clause about the condition of the premises when the lease ends, often called a yield-up or reinstatement clause. A dirty unit can lead to disputes, cleaning charges taken from a deposit, or a claim for dilapidations. A professional handover clean takes cleanliness off the list, so the inspection can focus on the building itself.
What Our End-of-Lease Cleaning Includes
Every handover clean is written up as a room-by-room task list after a site visit, so you, your landlord or your agent can see exactly what has been cleaned.
Kitchens and Washrooms
Kitchens are degreased, cupboards are cleaned inside and out, and appliances are cleaned where they stay with the unit. Washrooms are descaled, with toilets, basins, partitions, tiles and floors deep cleaned.
Floors, Walls and Fixtures
Hard floors are scrubbed and carpets are deep vacuumed, with carpet extraction available through our commercial floor cleaning service. Skirting, doors, frames, light switches, sockets and radiators are wiped, and marks are removed from walls where they can be cleaned off.
Internal Glazing and High-Level Areas
Internal glass, partitions and the inside of windows are cleaned, and high ledges, vents and light fittings are dusted so nothing is left for the inspection.
Warehouse and Industrial Units
Empty warehouse and industrial floors are swept and scrubbed, loading areas are cleared of debris, and welfare blocks and offices are cleaned to the same standard as the rest of the unit.
What Landlords and Agents Expect at Handover
Landlords and agents usually expect commercial premises to be returned clean, empty and in the condition described in the lease and any schedule of condition.
The Lease and Schedule of Condition
Check your lease for the yield-up or reinstatement clause, and for a schedule of condition recorded when you moved in. If a schedule exists, the cleaning standard should match it. Send us the relevant wording and we will build the task list around it.
Dilapidations and Inspections
Cleaning is only one part of dilapidations. Repairs, redecoration and the removal of fit-out are separate matters for you and your landlord. Our clean makes sure the inspection is not distracted by dirt, dust or left-behind debris.
Photo Record
On request, we take dated photos of each area once the clean is finished, so you have a record of the condition you handed back.
Use our commercial end-of-lease cleaning checklist to prepare, and read the commercial cleaning contract guide if you are setting up cleaning for your next premises.
Who Our Handover Cleaning Is For
Our commercial end-of-lease cleaning is for anyone who needs business premises cleaned between one occupier and the next.
| Who | Why they book it |
|---|---|
| Outgoing tenants | To meet the lease condition and avoid cleaning charges or disputes |
| Landlords | To prepare a vacant unit for viewings and the next tenant |
| Managing and letting agents | To turn units round quickly across a property portfolio |
| Incoming tenants | To start in clean premises before furniture and stock arrive |
Landlords and agents with multi-let buildings can also book ongoing communal cleaning. See our page on cleaning for business centres.
Timing Your Handover Clean
Book the handover clean for after your furniture, stock and fit-out have been removed, and before the key return or final inspection.
- Strip-out and removals. Furniture, IT, stock and anything your lease says must go are removed first.
- Handover clean. We clean the empty premises room by room, usually in one or two days for most units.
- Walk-round. We check the work with you or your agent before keys are returned.
- Key return and inspection. The landlord or agent inspects clean, empty premises.
Leave a buffer of a day or two before the lease end date where you can. If an inspection is already booked, tell us the date and we will plan around it.
How to Prepare for a Handover Clean
A few simple steps before we arrive make the handover clean quicker and the result better.
- Clear the premises. Furniture, stock, IT and personal items should be gone, including anything left in cupboards.
- Keep the utilities on. We need power, running water and lighting to clean properly.
- Share the lease wording. Send us the yield-up clause and any schedule of condition so the task list matches.
- Tell us about access. Keys, alarm codes, parking and any building management rules.
- Agree the walk-round. Decide who will check the clean with us before keys are returned.
End-of-Lease Cleaners Near You in Bexley
We carry out commercial end-of-lease cleaning across the London Borough of Bexley and Thamesmead, from our base in Thamesmead, SE28 8NE. If you are looking for move-out cleaning near you, we cover offices, shops and units in:
- Bexleyheath (DA6, DA7)Shop units and offices around the Broadway. See commercial cleaning in Bexleyheath.
- Erith (DA8)Warehouses, business centres and shops. See cleaners covering Erith.
- Belvedere (DA17)Business park and industrial estate units. See cleaners covering Belvedere.
- Thamesmead (SE28)Business park units and offices. See commercial cleaning in Thamesmead.
We also cover Crayford, Sidcup, Welling and nearby South East London. See all areas we cover.
How Much Does Commercial End-of-Lease Cleaning Cost?
Commercial end-of-lease cleaning is priced per clean, based on the size of the premises, its condition and any specialist work such as carpet cleaning. We visit before quoting, because two units of the same size can be in very different condition.
| Factor | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Size and layout | More rooms, floors and glazing take more time |
| Condition | Heavy build-up after years of use takes longer to remove |
| Kitchens and washrooms | The most detailed areas in any handover clean |
| Floor care | Carpet extraction and machine scrubbing are priced as items |
| Deadline | A tight key-return date may need a larger team |
Removal of waste, furniture or fit-out is not part of the clean and should be arranged before we start. Ask us if you need help finding a licensed waste carrier.
Why Tenants and Agents Choose Us
Tenants, landlords and agents choose Bexley Commercial Cleaning for handover cleans because we plan around the lease deadline, put the task list in writing and check the result with you before keys go back.
- Fixed price, no extras on the day. We visit first, so the quote reflects the real condition.
- Commercial only. We clean offices, shops and units, not homes, and know what commercial landlords look for.
- Local to Bexley. Our Thamesmead base makes it easy to fit around inspection dates.
- One contact. You deal with the owner, Ilori, from the site visit to the walk-round.
Related Commercial Cleaning Services
Handover cleans often sit alongside a deep clean or regular cleaning for the next occupier.