Best Maid and Domestic Cleaning Agencies in London

Finding a cleaner in London is not simply a matter of comparing hourly rates. The seven services below use several different models: agency matching, online booking, direct marketplace hiring, employed teams and specialist one-off cleaning companies.

Those differences affect who supplies products and equipment, who arranges cover, how cancellations work, what insurance applies and whether the same person is likely to attend each week. A lower headline rate may also come with minimum hours, postcode pricing, supply charges, VAT or a separate booking fee.

What distinguishes a suitable domestic-cleaning service?

The right service depends on the work required. A household seeking the same cleaner every week may prefer an agency or marketplace, while a customer wanting products, machinery and a defined end-of-tenancy checklist may be better served by a specialist team.

Before booking, confirm the contracting party, employment or self-employment model, total price, minimum visit, cancellation deadline, products and equipment, key-holding procedure, insurance arrangements and what happens if the cleaner is absent or accidental damage occurs.

Provider statements about vetting, insurance and training describe their published processes rather than guaranteeing that every booking will produce the same result.

At a glance: which London cleaning service may suit you?

Agency, platform or cleaning company?

Cleaning companies are not regulated through a single statutory professional register. The service model therefore matters.

• Agency: commonly introduces a self-employed cleaner and provides matching or administrative support.
• Platform: manages discovery, booking and payment while the professional may work independently.
• Employed team: the company manages staff, products, equipment and scheduling.
• Specialist cleaning company: provides defined one-off work such as deep, end-of-tenancy, carpet or after-build cleaning.

Before handing over keys, ask who will attend, whether they are employed or self-employed, what checks have been completed, which insurance applies and who is responsible for arranging replacement cover.

How much does a maid or domestic cleaner cost in London?

For regular domestic cleaning, current published starting prices among the providers in this guide are broadly around £16.49 to £24 per hour, although postcode, frequency, cleaner choice and minimum hours can change the total. Some services charge more for a fortnightly or one-off visit than for a weekly booking.

The hourly rate is not always directly comparable. Maid2Clean and Maid of London publish rates that incorporate their agency arrangements, while TidyChoice allows individual professionals to set their own rate. MOLLY MAID does not use a fixed hourly tariff and instead provides a quotation after assessing the home. Specialist deep and end-of-tenancy cleans are commonly priced by property size, condition and required extras rather than by a simple hourly rate.

Check whether the quotation includes VAT, parking, congestion charges, cleaning products, oven cleaning, inside cupboards, internal windows, carpet extraction and a return visit if something is missed. Top Cleaning GB currently publishes regular domestic cleaning from £24 per hour and states that its prices exclude VAT, with parking or congestion charges added where applicable.

Maid2Clean

Phone: 020 3390 2167

Published price: London regular weekly cleaning from £16.49 per hour; fortnightly cleaning from £17.09 per hour, with postcode-specific pricing and possible minimum hours

Website

Maid2Clean is suited to households primarily seeking the same local cleaner on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Its London service is structured as a matching and support arrangement: the company selects a cleaner according to the household's requirements, and the client can usually meet or interview that person before regular visits begin.

The company states that London cleaners are vetted and that insurance cover is included for scheduled cleaning visits. It also says clients may request a different cleaner and that temporary cover can be sought when the regular cleaner is unavailable. This is useful for households that value continuity but still want an agency office to assist with matching and replacement arrangements.

The main practical distinction is that the cleaner normally uses the customer's products, vacuum, mop and other equipment. That can be an advantage for people with allergies, pets, delicate surfaces or preferred low-fragrance products, but it requires the household to keep suitable supplies in working order. The service is designed mainly for routine domestic tasks and ironing rather than a fully equipped specialist deep-cleaning team.

Prices vary across London. The central London, Wandsworth and other local pages publish different rates, so the citywide starting price should not be treated as the rate for every postcode. One-off bookings can also be structured differently, including an agency or booking charge in some areas.

Pros

• Publishes London starting prices for weekly and fortnightly cleaning.
• The same cleaner is intended to attend regular scheduled visits.
• Vetting and insurance cover are stated as part of the service.
• Clients can ask to change cleaner and may request temporary absence cover.

Best for: Households wanting a regular local cleaner with agency support and a relatively straightforward hourly model.

What to confirm: Ask for the full postcode-specific cost, minimum visit length, insurance terms and procedure for key holding before signing the service agreement.

Housekeep

Support hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; weekends, 8am to 5pm

Published price: Regular cleaning from £18.50 per hour

Website

Housekeep is a technology-led booking service rather than a traditional high-street agency. Customers enter their postcode, receive a price, manage visits online and pay by card after the clean. Regular weekly and fortnightly visits are available alongside one-off standard cleaning, deep cleaning, end-of-tenancy work and a wider range of home services.

For regular cleaning, the platform can be attractive to people who want to adjust instructions, skip visits or manage bookings without calling an office. Housekeep states that its housekeepers undergo right-to-work and basic criminal-record checks. Customers can communicate with an assigned housekeeper through their account and add tasks such as ironing, laundry, indoor window cleaning, fridge cleaning and oven cleaning, with the extra time charged at the cleaning rate.

Regular housekeepers generally travel by public transport and do not carry bulky equipment. Customers must provide a vacuum, mop and bucket. Standard sprays and cloths can be requested for an additional charge, or the customer can supply their own. Specialist deep and end-of-tenancy teams follow a different model and arrive for a defined one-off service.

The cancellation terms deserve attention. Housekeep's current customer guidance allows standard cleans to be cancelled, skipped or rescheduled without charge before 6pm on the previous day. Its formal terms apply an earlier deadline to deep, end-of-tenancy, after-builders, upholstery and other specialist bookings. Late cancellation or inability to gain entry can result in the full booking price being charged.

Pros

• Online account for booking, payment, instructions and schedule changes.
• Published starting price for regular domestic cleaning.
• Right-to-work and basic criminal-record checks are stated for housekeepers.
• Regular, deep, end-of-tenancy and other household services are available through one platform.

Best for: London residents who prioritise online scheduling, cashless payment and the ability to manage recurring visits through an account.

What to confirm: Read the cancellation deadline for the exact service booked, as specialist cleans have different terms from standard recurring visits.

Maid of London

Phone: 020 3538 6996

Opening: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Published price: Regular maid service from £17.50 per hour; premium maid service from £19.50 per hour; minimum three hours per week

Website

Maid of London is suited to households looking for a broader maid or housekeeping arrangement rather than a narrowly defined surface-cleaning visit. Its published service information covers regular cleaning, laundry, ironing and housekeeping, while longer part-time housekeeper arrangements are priced separately.

The company publishes more detail than many agencies about its screening process. Its terms state that cleaners provide identity, address and right-to-work documents, next-of-kin details and two written references, and attend two interviews. It also states that most cleaners are self-employed. The home-cleaning page says cleaners and housekeepers are covered by public and product liability insurance.

Its listed regular rates include the cleaner's pay, agency fee and VAT. The standard regular maid service starts at £17.50 per hour and the premium service at £19.50 per hour, both with a minimum of three hours per week. Part-time housekeeping of at least 20 hours per week is quoted within a wider hourly band. Specialist carpet, window, tenancy and builders' cleaning requires a separate enquiry.

For regular domestic cleaning, clients are expected to provide safe, working equipment and products unless supplies are arranged for an additional cost. The published terms also require 48 hours' notice to change or cancel a session and provide a limited period for reporting damage or service complaints. Customers should read those clauses carefully, particularly if access is provided by keys or concierge.

Pros

• Publishes rates inclusive of cleaner pay, agency fee and VAT.
• Offers both routine cleaning and more involved housekeeping arrangements.
• Screening requirements are described in its published terms.
• Public and product liability insurance is stated for domestic cleaners and housekeepers.

Best for: Households wanting regular cleaning combined with laundry, ironing or wider part-time housekeeping duties.

What to confirm: Request a written task list, clarify which duties fall within the chosen service tier and check the time limits for reporting damage or incomplete work.

MOLLY MAID London

Phone: 0808 501 3995 for general enquiries; local numbers vary by franchise area

Published price: Quotation following a free, no-obligation in-home estimate

Website

MOLLY MAID offers a different arrangement from agencies that introduce a self-employed individual. Its published model uses employed, uniformed cleaners who generally work as a team and bring the required products and equipment. London is divided between local franchise territories, so availability, contact details and scheduling depend on the household's postcode.

The company does not publish a universal hourly rate. Instead, a local representative assesses the property, priorities and requested frequency before issuing a written price. That makes direct online price comparison less immediate, but it may suit households that want a defined service and do not want to estimate how many cleaner-hours are required.

MOLLY MAID states that its service carries employer's liability, public and products liability and fidelity cover, and that it can hold keys under its insurance arrangements. It also states that products and equipment are supplied by the team. This removes the need to maintain a separate cleaning cupboard or provide a working vacuum, although customers with allergies, pets or delicate materials should still discuss product ingredients and surface restrictions.

Because the operation is franchised, the local branch is the relevant contracting and service point. Confirm which franchise covers the postcode, whether the same team is normally allocated, what happens during sickness or holidays, and how the satisfaction or re-clean policy works in that territory.

Pros

• Uses employed, uniformed cleaning teams under its published service model.
• Products, supplies and equipment are brought to the home.
• Multiple forms of liability and fidelity insurance are stated.
• Pricing is provided in writing after the home and priorities are assessed.

Best for: Households wanting a managed, fully equipped team rather than an introduction to an independent cleaner.

What to confirm: Ask the local franchise whether the quotation is per visit or frequency-dependent and obtain the cancellation, key-holding and re-clean terms in writing.

TidyChoice

Phone: 020 8133 1830

Published price: Regular service from £17 per hour; one-off service from £19 per hour, with individual professionals setting their own rates

Website

TidyChoice is a marketplace for selecting and hiring an independent cleaning professional rather than a conventional agency assigning somebody from its own workforce. Customers browse available profiles, compare rates and experience, choose a professional and confirm the booking online. Payment is processed after the clean.

This model gives the customer more control over who attends and how much they charge. It may be particularly useful for people who want to select a regular cleaner personally rather than accept an automatic match. Weekly, fortnightly and multi-day arrangements are available, and one-off services can cover deep cleaning, spring cleaning and move-in work.

TidyChoice states that it uses a six-stage vetting process. The platform also makes clear that professionals are independent and set their own hourly prices. This distinction matters: customers should understand which responsibilities sit with the platform and which sit with the individual professional, including tax status, substitution, insurance and the resolution of accidental-damage claims.

The price displayed at booking is charged by the hour. Additional tasks such as ironing, oven cleaning, fridge cleaning, window cleaning and laundry do not necessarily attract a different hourly tariff, but the customer needs to reserve enough time. Cleaning supplies can be requested for an additional charge. Bookings can be cancelled without charge up to 24 hours before the start time under the published pricing information.

Pros

• Customers can choose an individual cleaner rather than receive an automatic assignment.
• Starting rates are published for regular and one-off services.
• Extra domestic tasks can be booked at the professional's hourly rate.
• Published cancellation window allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the session.

Best for: Customers who want to compare individual cleaner profiles and retain direct choice over the person booked.

What to confirm: Check the selected professional's insurance, minimum booking time, supply charge and availability for a consistent recurring slot.

Top Cleaning GB

Phone: 020 8813 2556

Opening: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm

Published price: Regular domestic cleaning from £24 per hour; specialist services priced separately; prices exclude VAT, and parking or congestion charges may apply

Website

Top Cleaning GB is better viewed as a broad professional cleaning company than a traditional maid agency. It provides domestic cleaning, but its most distinctive services are end-of-tenancy, deep, after-builders, carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning. This makes it relevant when a household needs equipment-intensive work rather than a regular cleaner for a few hours each week.

The company publishes itemised starting prices for several specialist services. Carpet, rug and upholstery bookings have a stated minimum visit charge, and the price page notes that VAT is excluded. Parking and congestion charges can also be added where applicable, so customers should request a complete written total rather than relying on one line of the price list.

Its end-of-tenancy terms describe a 72-hour guarantee and list included appliance cleaning. As with any re-clean policy, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that a landlord will return the full deposit. Deposit deductions can relate to damage, missing items, rent or other tenancy issues beyond cleaning, and the provider's return-visit terms will have notification and access requirements.

The company accepts cash, card and bank transfer. For a specialist clean, ask for a room-by-room checklist and identify any exclusions before the appointment. Walls, external windows, high-level areas, heavily soiled carpets and access behind large appliances are common areas where expectations differ.

Pros

• Broad range of specialist cleaning services from one London company.
• Publishes prices for several carpet, upholstery and property-cleaning tasks.
• Equipment-intensive services are available beyond ordinary domestic cleaning.
• Seven-day opening hours for enquiries and bookings.

Best for: Tenants, landlords and homeowners needing a one-off specialist clean with optional carpet or upholstery work.

What to confirm: Obtain an all-inclusive quotation showing VAT, parking, congestion charges, appliance work, carpet treatment and the exact re-clean notification deadline.

Scrubs Cleaning

Phone: 020 8146 8571

Opening: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm; Saturday, 9am to 1.30pm; Sunday closed

Published price: Property-specific estimate through an online calculator or quotation

Website

Scrubs Cleaning also sits closer to a specialist cleaning company than a conventional maid agency. Its principal services include end-of-tenancy, deep and after-build cleaning, alongside carpet and upholstery work and a regular domestic option. It is most relevant when the job requires a team, equipment and a detailed one-off scope.

The company states that specialist teams bring the products and equipment needed for the booking. Its end-of-tenancy service includes a seven-day re-clean policy: if something is missed, the customer can submit photographic evidence for verification and a cleaner may be sent back to address the specified areas. This is a return-cleaning commitment rather than a guarantee that a landlord or inventory clerk will approve every aspect of the property or return the full deposit.

Pricing is property-specific and can be estimated through the company's calculator. Scrubs states that most services require a £60 deposit, with the balance due on completion. Customers should establish whether optional carpet, upholstery or curtain steam cleaning has been included, as those services need to be booked in advance and may involve parking arrangements.

The service should be assessed through its published inclusions, opening hours, payment structure and the limits of the seven-day re-clean policy.

Pros

• Focuses on deep, end-of-tenancy and after-build cleaning.
• Specialist teams bring the required products and equipment.
• Publishes a seven-day process for reporting and correcting missed areas.
• Instant estimate tool is available for property-specific pricing.

Best for: Households needing a defined one-off clean with equipment, supplies and a time-limited return policy.

What to confirm: Ask for the final checklist, deposit and cancellation terms, parking requirements and what evidence is needed to use the seven-day re-clean policy.

Comparing cleaning quotations properly

Two hourly rates are comparable only when they cover the same minimum time, supplies, equipment, VAT and service model.

Ask each provider to show:

• Hourly or fixed price
• Minimum booking
• Agency or platform fee
• VAT
• Products and equipment
• Parking and congestion charges
• Key collection
• Cancellation charge
• Replacement-cover arrangement
• Insurance excess
• Specialist extras
• Re-clean deadline

For one-off work, request a written room-by-room checklist rather than relying only on the property size.

Employed, self-employed or independently hired?

The cleaner's status affects how the service is managed.

Where the company employs the cleaner, it normally controls scheduling, training, products and cover. Where an agency introduces a self-employed cleaner, the agency may provide matching and insurance while the household agrees day-to-day tasks directly with the cleaner. A marketplace may facilitate booking and payment while leaving more responsibility with the selected professional.

Ask:

• Who pays the cleaner
• Who sets the rate
• Who supervises the work
• Who arranges cover
• Who handles damage
• Who stores keys
• Who receives a complaint
• Whether substitution is permitted

The wording in the service agreement is more important than the label used in marketing.

What should a regular domestic clean include?

A routine clean usually covers dusting accessible surfaces, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, wiping kitchen surfaces, emptying bins and general tidying. Laundry, ironing and bed changing may be included if enough time is booked. Internal windows, oven interiors, fridge interiors, limescale removal and inside cupboards are often additional or require a deep-clean appointment.

Agree priorities before the first visit. A two-hour booking in a large property may not be enough to complete every room, so it is better to specify essential tasks than to rely on a vague promise to clean the whole home.

Treat the first regular visit as a practical trial. Review the task list, time allowance, product preferences, access arrangements and communication method before establishing the long-term routine.

Safe access and working conditions

The household should provide a reasonably safe working environment.

Disclose:

• Pets
• Alarms
• Fragile surfaces
• Mould or biohazards
• Pest activity
• Unsafe ladders
• Damaged sockets
• Heavy lifting
• Sharps
• Medication
• Areas that must not be entered

A routine domestic cleaner should not be expected to undertake hazardous waste removal, high-level external work or specialist mould treatment without suitable equipment and agreement.

Questions to ask before booking

1. Who is the contracting party? Establish whether you are hiring the company, an agency-introduced cleaner or an independent professional through a platform.
2. Is the cleaner employed or self-employed? The answer affects how cover, management and responsibility are structured.
3. What vetting is actually completed? Ask whether checks include identity, right to work, references, address verification and a legally appropriate basic or enhanced criminal-record check.
4. What insurance applies? Request the insurer, type of cover, limit, excess and exclusions. Ask specifically about keys, theft allegations, accidental damage and use of customer equipment.
5. Who supplies products and equipment? Confirm whether the cleaner will bring sprays, cloths, a vacuum, mop, ladder or specialist machinery.
6. Is there a minimum booking or agency fee? A low hourly rate may not show the minimum number of hours, booking charge or supply surcharge.
7. What happens if the cleaner is absent? Replacement cover may be offered, attempted or guaranteed; these are not the same thing.
8. What is the cancellation deadline? Regular and specialist bookings often have different notice periods.
9. How are keys stored and identified? Keys should not normally be labelled with the full property address.
10. How quickly must problems be reported? Re-clean and damage policies can require notice within 24 hours, 72 hours or seven days.

Insurance, keys and valuables

The phrase “fully insured” is too vague on its own. Public liability insurance may cover accidental property damage, but policies can contain excesses, exclusions and conditions. Fidelity or dishonesty cover is different from public liability, and key-holding cover may apply only where the company's storage procedure has been followed.

Remove or secure cash, jewellery, identity documents, medicines and unusually fragile items. Photograph valuable or delicate surfaces before a one-off specialist clean. When keys are handed over, record how many were provided and ask how they will be stored, coded, returned and reported if lost.

Do not attach the full address to a key. Where possible, use a key code or secure concierge arrangement.

Damage, missed work and complaints

Report concerns within the provider's published time limit.

Keep:

• Booking confirmation
• Agreed task list
• Before-and-after photographs
• Messages
• Invoice
• Evidence of damage
• Replacement or repair quotation
• Key records

Allow the provider a reasonable opportunity to inspect or repeat the work where appropriate. A re-clean policy generally covers missed cleaning rather than unrelated damage, deposit disputes or the landlord's wider requirements.

Cancellation terms and consumer rights

A booking made online or by telephone may come with statutory cancellation rights, but those rights can reduce once a service begins at the customer's request. Separately, each provider can impose contractual deadlines for rescheduling or cancelling a particular appointment.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a consumer service must be performed with reasonable care and skill. Depending on the circumstances, remedies can include repeat performance or a price reduction. Keep the booking confirmation, agreed checklist, photographs and written correspondence if a dispute arises.

This is general consumer information rather than legal advice. For a serious loss, disputed theft allegation or injury, seek advice based on the specific facts.

End-of-tenancy cleaning: avoid deposit guarantees

No cleaning company can guarantee the return of an entire tenancy deposit. A landlord or agent may raise issues unrelated to cleaning, and any deduction should reflect the tenancy agreement, check-in evidence, fair wear and tear and the deposit-protection process.

Before booking, compare the provider's checklist with the check-in inventory and the landlord's written requirements. Ask whether oven cleaning, extractor filters, internal windows, skirting boards, cupboards, appliances, carpet extraction and furnished-property items are included. Ensure there is enough time between the clean and check-out inspection to use any valid re-clean policy. A same-day clean and inventory inspection leaves little room to correct missed areas.

Frequently asked questions

Is a DBS check compulsory for domestic cleaners?

No general law requires every domestic cleaner to hold a DBS certificate. A company may choose to obtain a basic check where legally eligible, but customers should ask what level of check was completed and when. A DBS check is one part of vetting and does not replace identity, reference and right-to-work checks.

Should I choose the cheapest hourly rate?

Not automatically. Compare the minimum hours, agency fee, VAT, products, equipment, parking, frequency, insurance and cancellation terms. A higher all-inclusive rate can cost less than a lower rate with separate fees.

Will I get the same cleaner every week?

Some regular services are designed around the same cleaner, including Maid2Clean and many TidyChoice bookings. Employed team services may allocate a regular team but can change personnel. Ask whether continuity is a commitment or simply a preference.

Do cleaners bring their own products?

It depends on the model. MOLLY MAID and specialist teams normally bring supplies. Maid2Clean and Maid of London generally expect the customer to provide them for regular visits. Housekeep requires the customer to supply major equipment, with some products available as an add-on.

How many hours should I book?

Property size, occupancy, pets, clutter and the desired task list all matter. For the first visit, allow more time or ask the provider for a realistic estimate. Prioritise rooms and tasks in writing so the cleaner knows what should be completed first.

Is “maid agency” the same as “cleaning company”?

Not necessarily. An agency may introduce a cleaner, a platform may facilitate direct hiring, and a cleaning company may send its own team. The distinction affects pricing, insurance, continuity and who handles complaints.

Can a cleaner use my products?

Yes, where the service model allows it. Provide labelled products, disclose allergies and explain surfaces that require special care. Do not ask a cleaner to mix chemicals.

Should I hand over keys on the first visit?

Not necessarily. Some households begin with attended visits before moving to key holding. Ask how keys are insured, coded and returned before deciding.

Final checklist before the first clean

Confirm the total rate and minimum hours, write a realistic priority list, provide safe equipment where required, disclose pets and alarms, secure valuables, record any keys handed over and save the provider's cancellation and damage-reporting terms. For specialist cleans, obtain a written scope showing every included room, appliance and optional service.

A successful arrangement depends as much on clear expectations as on the provider chosen. The most suitable London service is the one whose operating model, price, equipment and practical terms fit the household rather than simply the lowest advertised hourly figure.

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