At the end of each letting, properties must be cleaned and usually require minor maintenance. You will be selling property cleaning and minor maintenance services to landlords of rental residential property, to letting agents and estate agents.

You will be required to provide a range of cleaning and remedial services, including carpet cleaning, jet spraying externally, minor garden maintenance, touching up paintwork and wall paper repair, mopping and vacuuming. You could also dust light fittings, replace light bulbs, change tap washers and wash curtains.

You may want to compile a list of prices for each of the above services. Alternatively, you could charge an all in one price. Market your services to estate agents and property management companies. On starting off you will want to buy a minimum amount of equipment - brushes, mops and buckets as well as cleaning materials. Hire a carpet cleaning machine as and when required. Finally, you will have to obtain insurance to cover yourself for accidents at work.

Clean fresh properties will be more attractive to potential clients and are likely to be let sooner. Therefore, bear this in mind when fixing your prices. Remember, this is a business with high potential earnings. Expect fees between £50 and £150 per property, depending on size of property and the services provided.

How Clean Is Your House? by Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie

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