What are the Common Cleaning Issues that Fail Property Inspections?
Failing a property inspection is a frustrating experience for tenants and landlords. For tenants, this often means delayed deposit returns or unexpected deductions. For landlords and letting agents, it can lead to delays in re-letting the property and additional costs to fix avoidable issues. In most circumstances, inspection failures are not caused by damage, but by cleaning problems that could have been prevented.
Please check out the most common cleaning issues that fail property inspections and know how to avoid stress, save money, and ensure a smooth handover:
Grease and Grime in the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the first places inspectors check and is one of the easiest to fail. Built-up grease on the oven, hob, extractor fan, and splashbacks is a red flag. More often, people overlook inside cupboards and drawers, but inspectors will open them.
The common issues include:
Oven not been deep-cleaned
Greasy extractor fan filters
Sticky cupboard doors and handles
Food crumbs and stains inside the drawers
A quick surface wipe is not enough to clean them. Kitchens require a proper deep clean to match the inspection standards.
Limescale and Mould in the Bathroom
Bathrooms are another high-risk area that you should pay attention to. Limescale on taps, shower screens, and tiles can instantly make a property look poorly maintained. Mould around silicone seals, grout, and ceilings is a frequent cause of inspection failure.
Usually, the inspectors can check:
Shower screens and tiles for watermarks
Taps and fixtures for limescale
Toilets for stains and odours
Grout and sealant for mould
If the bathroom looks “clean,” these details can easily cost you a pass.
Carpets That Look Tired or Smell Bad
Carpets absorb dust, hair, odours, and stains over time. Vacuuming is rarely enough in high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
The common carpet-related issues include:
Visible stains or patches
Pet hair and lingering odours
Dust and debris along edges and corners
Most tenancy agreements require professional carpet cleaning before the final inspection, and for a good reason.
Skirting Boards, Doors, and Light Switches
These areas are often overlooked during DIY cleaning, but inspectors always notice them.
The problem areas include:
Dusty or scuffed skirting boards
Finger marks on doors and frames
Greasy light switches and sockets
These details can make a property look neglected; if the remaining of the home appears clean.
Windows, Mirrors, and Glass Surfaces
Streaky or dusty windows can fail an inspection if they are listed in the inventory as professionally cleaned at the beginning of the tenancy.
Inspectors can check the following areas:
Inside windows and frames
Glass doors and partitions
Mirrors and glass tables
Marks, smears, or dust buildup can lead to comments on the inspection report.
Inside Appliances and Storage Spaces
A significant reason why properties fail inspections is that tenants clean what they can see, but forget what they can’t.
The frequently missed areas include:
Inside the fridge and freezer
Washing machine detergent drawer and seal
Inside wardrobes and cupboards
Behind and under furniture
Inspectors are trained professionals to look in these places.
Final Consideration
Most inspection failures are not caused by problems, but they are caused by missed details. Kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, and hidden areas are the major risk zones. If you want a smooth inspection and a stress-free handover, a thorough professional clean through Go For Cleaning is a smart investment you can make. You can consider scheduling end of tenancy cleaning in Ealing today and let us handle your cleaning needs.