Moving Out of Student Accommodation? Professional Cleaning vs. Doing it Yourself – February 2025

Regardless of whether you’re living with one or two people, or a large group of friends, moving out of student accommodation can be a stressful experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re leaving a large shared house or a small flat, ensuring the place is spotless before handing back the keys is important.

Many landlords and student housing providers have strict cleanliness standards, and failing to meet them could result in you losing your deposit. You won’t want to move out of student accommodation and immediately find yourself down on money, so student cleaning at the end of a tenancy isn’t something to forget about. But, who should do it? Should you handle the cleaning yourself, or is it worth hiring professionals? Keep reading, because we’ve got the answer.

The Challenges of DIY Student Cleaning

There’s no denying that cleaning your student accommodation yourself can seem like the most budget-friendly, cost-effective option. If you’re on a limited student budget, handling everything yourself is hugely appealing. However, there are several factors to consider before committing to the task, a big task at that.

• Time-Consuming – Deep cleaning a student house or flat is no small feat, even if you’re only in a small property. Scrubbing kitchens, bathrooms, carpets and windows can take hours, especially if the property hasn’t been maintained regularly throughout the year.

• Effort and Coordination – If you’re living with housemates, ensuring everyone contributes fairly can be challenging. Some may move out earlier, leaving the bulk of the cleaning to a few individuals. You don’t want to end up having to clean the entire property yourself, which is a risk if others aren’t willing to chip in and do their part.

• Cost of Cleaning Supplies – Buying cleaning products such as disinfectants, carpet cleaners, window sprays and sponges can add up. If specialised products are required – like oven degreasers or limescale removers -, the costs can be surprisingly high. This is particularly true if your cleaning supplies are somewhat lacking to begin with.

• Lack of Proper Equipment – Many student homes require deep cleaning beyond what basic household supplies can handle. For example, professional carpet cleaning equipment is often needed to remove stains properly.

• Risk of Missing Spots – If the landlord or letting agency finds the cleaning subpar, they may charge you for professional cleaning anyway, which can be costly. This means that your efforts – and any expenses you’ve incurred – could go to waste.

The Advantages of Hiring Professional Cleaners

For a lot of students, opting for professional cleaners might seem like an unnecessary expense. But, it often proves to be the more practical and stress-free option. After all, you don’t want to add any stress to the already stressful situation of organising your move.

• Saves Time and Effort – Instead of spending hours scrubbing, cleaning and coordinating with housemates, you can focus on packing, moving and other important tasks. Hiring professional end of tenancy cleaners, you give yourself one less thing to think about. You can hand everything over to the expert student cleaners at Atticus Cleaning, knowing we’ll take care of everything.

• High Quality Cleaning – Professional cleaners have experience and specialised tools to deep clean carpets, kitchens, bathrooms,and other tricky areas that may otherwise be overlooked. You’re unlikely to have the same equipment and products, meaning that achieving the same high quality results can be tough. You don’t need to worry about being pulled up for subpar cleaning when experts are on the job.

• Ensures Deposit Return – Many student accommodations require a professional standard of cleaning when you move out; it might even be part of your contract. Hiring a reputable cleaning service reduces the risk of deposit deductions due to cleanliness issues. You can move out, knowing that your entire deposit is on its way back to you.

• Hassle-Free Process – Instead of debating who should clean what, you can simply book a cleaning service and ensure everything is taken care of efficiently. There’s no need to rally your housemates and get everything on board, and no arguments stemming from people not pulling their weight.

• Cost-Effective in the Long Run – While professional cleaning does come with a cost, when split between housemates, it can be comparable to the combined expenses of DIY cleaning supplies and potential deductions from your deposit. Don’t rule out professional end of tenancy cleaning, simply because you think it’s going to be more expensive, as that’s not always the case.

Professional Cleaning vs. DIY – Which Should You Choose?

If you have the time, energy and motivation, DIY cleaning can be a feasible option. However, if you want to guarantee a thorough clean and avoid stress, hiring professionals is a worthwhile investment. Given the potential risks of doing student cleaning yourself – such as missing spots, disputes with housemates, and losing part of your deposit – professional end of tenancy cleaning is often the smarter choice for a smooth and hassle-free moving experience.

Book Professional Student Cleaning in Manchester

If you’re looking for professional student cleaning in Manchester, you have come to the right place. At Atticus Cleaning, we have everything needed to guarantee a flawless end of tenancy clean. Whether you’ve got a large student house or a much smaller apartment, we go above and beyond to make sure that the property is left as clean as possible before you move. Get in touch to find out more.