Homebuyers demand viral deep cleanse before agreeing to complete

House sellers are having to virally deep-clean properties to guarantee that sales go through, as buyers are increasingly insisting on a ‘Covid free’ clause in contracts before agreeing to sign.

This has led to a sharp spike in demand for deep cleaning companies as the practice spreads throughout the UK property market.

A viral deep clean is moving from “being a question of etiquette to a requirement” says Christian Harper, at Chiswick estate agent Harper Finn.

“Sellers have always been a mixed bunch when it comes to preparing their house for a new buyer. Some leave bits and pieces all over the place and don’t even run a Hoover over it, others make it spotless and leave a bottle of champagne in the fridge.

Protective bubble

“All of the recent movers-in we’ve had have asked if the house is properly clean, bacteria wipes used on door-knobs and surfaces and so on.”

Rune Sovndahl, co-founder of cleaning company Fantastic Services, said: “Now more than ever, people are treating their home as their protective bubble. This is even more true when people move into a new home that had a different family living in it only days before.

"People want to know we can quickly carry out the anti-viral deep clean professionally, so that sellers can reassure buyers that the property is safe to move into. We started this service at the beginning of lockdown and it’s now in huge demand.”

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