End-of-Lease Cleaning and Make-Good Works: What Landlords Expect in London Offices
When your commercial lease comes to an end, it’s not just the dilapidations works and reinstatement that matter — end-of-lease cleaning and “make-good” repairs play a crucial role in ensuring your London office is handed back in the condition required by your landlord. Understanding these expectations early can help you avoid avoidable disputes, inflated charges, or deductions from your deposit.
In this guide, London Dilaps Ltd outlines what landlords typically expect at lease end, what “make-good works” really include, and how tenants can manage the handover smoothly.
What Are Make-Good Works?
“Make-good” works refer to the smaller but essential repairs and touch-ups needed to restore your office to a reasonable condition before handover. While dilapidations often involve structural, mechanical or reinstatement work, make-good tasks are usually cosmetic or minor fixes that still significantly affect your landlord’s final inspection.
Common make-good works include:
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- Repairing wall scuffs, dents and old fixings
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- Filling holes left by TVs, shelving or signage
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- Repainting walls to a neutral or original colour
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- Replacing damaged carpet tiles or flooring sections
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- Ensuring lighting and bulbs are functioning
These works are typically required even if your space hasn’t undergone major alterations. Landlords expect the office to be returned in a clean, safe, and lettable condition.
Why End-of-Lease Cleaning Matters
The final clean is one of the most overlooked areas of the lease exit process — yet it is one of the main reasons tenants are charged additional fees.
Landlords expect:
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- Professional deep cleaning of all rooms
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- Carpet cleaning or steam cleaning where required
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- Kitchen and tea point sanitisation
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- Bathrooms and washrooms fully cleaned
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- Windows cleaned (internal as standard; external depending on contract)
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- Removal of all waste, clutter and personal items
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- Cleaning behind furniture, under flooring, and around cable trays
Even if the office has been reinstated correctly, a poor final clean can lead to unnecessary deductions.
How Make-Good and Cleaning Fit Into Dilapidations
While dilapidations cover end of lease reinstatement and repairs under the lease terms, make-good works and deep cleaning form the final stage of the handover. Without them, even a well-managed dilapidations project may fail inspection.
Landlords expect to see:
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- All works completed
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- All areas repainted or restored as needed
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- The space left clean, empty and free from debris
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- No leftover cabling, signage, furniture or waste
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- No marks, holes or cosmetic damage
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- No trip hazards or health and safety concerns
A clean, tidy office demonstrates compliance and prevents landlords from carrying out their own works and recharging you at a premium.
The Most Common Issues Landlords Flag During Final Inspections
From our experience working on London office dilapidations projects, the most frequent problems raised during handover are:
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- Unpainted or patchy walls
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- Stains or damaged flooring
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- Dirt, dust and residue in hard-to-reach areas
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- Uneven or incomplete reinstatement
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- Furniture or rubbish left behind
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- Broken fixtures, blinds or ceiling tiles
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- Exposed cables and data points
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- Untidy plant rooms, risers or service cupboards
These issues are easy to avoid with proper planning — but expensive if left for the landlord to resolve.
How London Dilaps Ltd Helps You Meet Lease-End Standards
At London Dilaps Ltd, we provide a complete end-of-lease service designed to take the stress out of vacating an office in London. Alongside full dilapidations and reinstatement works, we also manage:
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- Professional deep cleaning
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- Make-good repairs and touch-ups
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- Flooring repair or replacement
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- Waste removal and environmental disposal
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- Final handover checks
We coordinate every stage so your office is returned in the exact condition requested under your lease agreement — and ready for immediate landlord inspection.
Simple Steps to Ensure a Smooth Handover
To make your lease exit as seamless as possible, we recommend:
1. Start planning 6–12 weeks before handover
This ensures enough time for repairs, reinstatement and cleaning.
2. Review your lease and schedule of condition early
Know what is mandatory vs optional.
3. Book a pre-handover inspection
This helps avoid any surprises at the final stage.
4. Schedule cleaning last — but don’t leave it too late
This should happen once all works are complete.
5. Use a single contractor for everything
It prevents overlaps, delays and missed items.
Need Help Preparing Your Office for Handover?
London Dilaps Ltd provides complete lease-end solutions for offices across London — from strip-outs to reinstatement, make-good works and final cleaning.
Get a free quote today
Our team can assess your office, outline your obligations and provide a clear, fixed proposal.