There is no official licence or certificate that end of tenancy cleaning companies must hold in the UK, so verifying a company means checking the things that protect you: that it's a real registered business, that it holds valid insurance, that its cleaners are vetted and trained, and that any trade body membership it mentions is genuine. Each of these can be confirmed in a few minutes before you book.
Badges like "certified" or "approved" on a website aren't proof on their own. Here's how to look behind them.
Do end of tenancy cleaners need to be certified?
No. Anyone can start a cleaning business without a specific licence. That's why the word "certified" can be confusing: it might refer to a genuine training qualification, a trade association membership, or nothing more than marketing.
What a letting agent or landlord cares about is the result, measured against the check-in inventory. What you care about is that the people coming into your home are trustworthy and that you have somewhere to turn if something goes wrong. The checks below cover both.
How can you check the company is a genuine business?
- Search Companies House. If the company says it's a limited company, look it up on the free Companies House register. Check the name matches, the company is active, and how long it has been trading.
- Check the VAT number if one is shown on invoices or the website. HMRC has a free online tool to confirm a UK VAT number is valid.
- Look for a real contact trail: a landline or mobile answered by someone who knows the service, a business address, and written quotes and confirmations rather than messages from a personal account.
- Read independent reviews on platforms the company doesn't control, and look at how it responds to complaints, not just the star rating.
How do you confirm their insurance is valid?
Insurance matters if a cleaner accidentally damages a worktop, floor or appliance. Ask the company for:
- A copy of their public liability insurance certificate, showing the insurer, policy number, level of cover and expiry date.
- Confirmation they hold employers' liability insurance if they employ staff. This is a legal requirement for most employers in the UK.
If you want to be sure, contact the insurer named on the certificate and ask them to confirm the policy is active. A reputable company won't mind being asked.
Are the cleaners vetted and employed directly?
This is the question that matters most when strangers will be in your home, often with access while you're packing or already gone.
- Ask whether cleaners have DBS checks. A basic DBS check shows unspent criminal convictions and cautions. A good company will tell you plainly whether its team is checked.
- Ask who will actually turn up. Some firms take the booking and pass it to subcontractors they've never trained. Others send their own staff. Neither is illegal, but it affects who is accountable.
- Ask how cleaners are trained, especially on ovens, limescale and delicate surfaces. A clear answer suggests there's a real process behind it.
How do you check trade body memberships and training claims?
If a company displays a logo from a trade association or training body, such as the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), check it with the organisation itself. Many bodies have a member directory or will confirm membership by phone or email. Logos are easy to copy; membership records aren't.
Also check exactly what the claim covers. A training certificate held by one supervisor isn't the same as the whole team being trained, and membership of an association doesn't mean every job is inspected.
What should the quote and guarantee include?
The paperwork tells you a lot about how a company works:
- A written checklist of what's included, room by room, such as inside the oven, inside cupboards, windows (inside only or both sides) and appliances.
- Clear notes on what isn't included, for example carpet cleaning, balconies or heavy mould.
- A re-clean policy with a time limit, so you know how long you have to report anything missed once the agent has inspected.
- Honest pricing based on property size and condition, with any extras stated up front.
- Cancellation and rescheduling terms, since moving dates often shift.
Keep in mind that under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, your landlord can't insist you use or pay for a professional cleaner. You're free to clean yourself or choose any company, as long as the property is returned to the standard recorded at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear.
A quick checklist before you book
- Company name found and active on Companies House.
- Public liability certificate seen, in date, with the insurer confirmed if needed.
- Cleaners DBS-checked and employed or trained by the company.
- Any trade body membership confirmed with that body directly.
- Written scope of work and re-clean policy received.
- Independent reviews read, including the negative ones.
How does SN Cleaning Services measure up?
We're happy to be checked. SN Cleaning Services has been cleaning homes in London and Essex for 12 years. Our end of tenancy cleaning service is carried out by our own trained cleaners, not subcontractors, and every one of them is insured and DBS-checked. If your agent or landlord finds anything missed, we'll come back and re-clean within 72 hours. Prices start from £179; click Get a quote and enter your postcode and email to see yours.