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Kitchen extraction cleaning - responsibility
When a commercial kitchen is leased, who has to clean the extraction ductwork - the landlord or the tenant? Usually it falls to the tenant who runs the kitchen and generates the grease - but the lease is what actually governs it. Here is how responsibility for duct cleaning is typically split, why it matters, and how to settle it. This is general information, not legal advice; the lease governs.
The short answer
In a leased commercial kitchen, a practical and important question is who has to clean the extraction ductwork - the landlord who owns the building, or the tenant who runs the kitchen. Getting this clear matters, because if it's assumed or disputed, the cleaning can fall through the gap. Here's the usual position and how to settle it. This is general information, not legal advice; your lease governs. The usual position: the tenant. In most cases, cleaning the extraction ductwork falls to the tenant - the business operating the kitchen. The logic is straightforward: the tenant runs the kitchen, does the cooking, and generates the grease that builds up in the ductwork; the tenant is in day-to-day control and occupation of the premises; and most commercial leases of catering premises put the repair, maintenance and cleaning of the kitchen and its equipment and systems (the extraction included) on the tenant. So the default expectation, and the most common lease position, is that the extraction cleaning is the tenant's responsibility. But the lease governs. That said, the definitive answer is always in the lease - the contract between landlord and tenant - not in a general rule. Leases vary: most put the kitchen and extraction cleaning on the tenant, but some split responsibilities (the landlord responsible for the building structure and perhaps certain fixed plant, the tenant for the kitchen and its cleaning), some make the landlord responsible for maintaining certain systems (recovering the cost through a service charge), and some are silent or ambiguous about the extraction specifically. So you can't assume - you check the lease terms (the repair, maintenance and cleaning obligations, and any specific mention of the extraction or ventilation) to see who's actually responsible. If it's unclear, take advice. Why it matters. This isn't a technicality. The extraction ductwork is a serious fire risk that must be cleaned to standard at the right frequency. If responsibility is unclear or wrongly assumed (each party thinking the other will do it, or neither sure), the cleaning can simply not happen - the duct silently building grease and fire risk. This gap is a real danger in leased premises. So establishing clearly who's responsible - and making sure they actually do it - is a genuine safety matter, not just a contractual nicety. The landlord's interest too. Landlords have a strong interest here, because an uncleaned duct threatens their building (a duct fire damages the landlord's property, not just the tenant's business) and can affect the landlord's own insurance and obligations. So landlords commonly protect themselves by: putting the extraction cleaning clearly on the tenant in the lease; requiring the tenant to keep it cleaned to standard at the right frequency; and requiring proof - the tenant providing cleaning certificates (as covered in why landlords ask tenants for duct cleaning certificates). So even where the tenant does the cleaning, the landlord often oversees that it happens. Settling it. So the practical approach: check the lease to see who's responsible (usually the tenant); if it's clear, make sure that party actually does the cleaning (to standard, at the right frequency, with records); if it's unclear or split, agree and confirm in writing who will clean the extraction, so it doesn't fall between you; and, as landlord or tenant, keep the proof (certificates) that it's being done. So who's responsible? Usually the tenant - but the lease governs, so check it and settle it in writing. This is general information, not legal advice; check your lease and take advice if unclear.
Key points
The usual position
In most leased commercial kitchens, cleaning the extraction ductwork falls to the tenant - the business that runs the kitchen. The reasoning is straightforward: the tenant does the cooking and generates the grease that builds up in the ductwork; the tenant is in day-to-day control and occupation of the premises; and most commercial leases of catering premises place the repair, maintenance and cleaning of the kitchen, its equipment and its systems (the extraction included) on the tenant. So the tenant, as the operator generating the grease and running the kitchen, is the natural and usual party to be responsible for keeping the extraction cleaned.
So the default expectation - and the most common lease position - is that extraction cleaning is the tenant's responsibility. If you run a kitchen in leased premises, the working assumption should be that keeping the ductwork cleaned to standard is down to you, unless the lease clearly says otherwise. This fits the wider pattern of a tenant being responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of the kitchen they operate (as covered in who is legally responsible for kitchen cleanliness in a lease). So the usual position - it commonly falls to the tenant - is the starting point. But it's only the usual position; the lease is what actually decides, which the next section covers. So usually the tenant, as the operator - but confirm against the lease. This is general information, not legal advice.
The lease governs
Although the tenant is the usual answer, the definitive one is always in the lease - the contract between landlord and tenant - not in a general rule. And leases vary. Most put the kitchen and extraction cleaning on the tenant, but some split the responsibilities (the landlord responsible for the building structure and perhaps certain fixed plant or shared systems, the tenant for the kitchen and its cleaning); some make the landlord responsible for maintaining certain systems, recovering the cost through a service charge; and some are silent or ambiguous about the extraction ductwork specifically. So you cannot simply assume - you have to check.
What to check in the lease: the repairing, maintenance and cleaning obligations (which party is responsible for what), and any specific mention of the extraction, ventilation or kitchen systems. This tells you who is actually responsible for the ductwork cleaning under your particular lease. If the lease is clear, you know where you stand. If it's unclear, ambiguous or silent on the extraction, don't guess - take advice (from a solicitor or surveyor) and, crucially, agree it with the other party in writing (covered below), so it's settled. So the lease governs - check the actual terms, they vary - is the essential point: the usual position is the tenant, but your lease is what decides, so read it. So don't assume; check what your lease actually says. This is general information, not legal advice; take advice on your lease if unclear.
Why it matters
Getting this clear is not a mere technicality - it matters for safety, because if responsibility is unclear or wrongly assumed, the extraction cleaning can simply not happen. The ductwork is a serious fire risk that must be cleaned to standard at the right frequency (grease build-up fuelling a duct fire). If each party assumes the other is responsible - or neither is sure - the cleaning can fall through the gap: the duct silently accumulating grease and fire risk while nobody arranges the clean. This is a real and recognised danger in leased premises, where responsibility is shared or split.
So establishing clearly who is responsible - and then making sure that party actually does the cleaning - is a genuine fire-safety matter. An unclean duct doesn't care whose fault the confusion was; the fire risk builds regardless. So both parties have a strong interest in the question being settled and the cleaning being done: the tenant (whose kitchen and business are at risk, and who usually carries the duty), and the landlord (whose building is at risk, covered next). So why it matters - the cleaning can fall through the gap - is the reason not to leave responsibility vague: settle it, so the ductwork actually gets cleaned. The worst outcome is an uncleaned, high-risk duct because everyone thought it was someone else's job. So make sure it's clear, so it gets done. This is general information, not legal advice.
The landlord's interest
Landlords have a strong interest in the extraction being cleaned, even where the tenant does it - because an uncleaned duct threatens the landlord's building, not just the tenant's business. A duct fire damages the landlord's property (the building they own), can affect the landlord's own insurance and obligations, and can create liability. So landlords don't simply leave it to chance: they commonly protect themselves by putting the extraction cleaning clearly on the tenant in the lease, requiring the tenant to keep it cleaned to standard at the right frequency, and - importantly - requiring proof that it's being done.
That proof is usually the cleaning certificates: the landlord (or their managing agent) asks the tenant to provide evidence - the certificates from each clean, to the TR19 Grease standard - showing the extraction is being cleaned properly and regularly (as covered in why landlords ask tenants for duct cleaning certificates). So even where the tenant carries out and pays for the cleaning, the landlord often oversees that it actually happens, through the lease terms and by requiring certificates. This is sensible on the landlord's part (protecting their asset) and a prompt for the tenant to keep the cleaning up and the records in order. So the landlord's interest - they often require proof from the tenant - means the tenant should expect to have to evidence the cleaning, and keep the certificates ready. So landlords oversee it via the lease and certificates. This is general information, not legal advice.
Settle it in writing
So the practical way to handle responsibility for duct cleaning is to settle it clearly and in writing, and make sure the cleaning actually happens. Check the lease to see who's responsible (usually the tenant). If it's clear, make sure that party genuinely does the cleaning - to the TR19 Grease standard, at a risk-based frequency, with the certificates kept. If it's unclear, split or silent on the extraction, agree with the other party who will clean it and confirm that in writing (a written agreement or clarification), so it can't fall between you.
And keep the proof. Whoever does the cleaning, the certificates should be kept and, where the landlord requires them, provided - so both parties can see the ductwork is being cleaned to standard (protecting the tenant's business and the landlord's building alike). So the whole approach: usually it's the tenant's job, but the lease governs (check it), and the priority is that the cleaning happens and is evidenced. Don't leave it vague or assumed. So settle it in writing - agree who cleans, and keep the proof - is how to make sure the ductwork gets cleaned and everyone knows where they stand. If your lease is unclear or you're unsure of your position, take advice on it. So confirm responsibility in writing, and make sure the clean gets done and recorded. This is general information, not legal advice; check your lease and take advice if unclear.
Questions
Usually the tenant who runs the kitchen and generates the grease - and most catering leases put it on the tenant - but the lease is what actually governs, so check the terms. In most leased commercial kitchens, cleaning the extraction ductwork falls to the tenant: the tenant runs the kitchen, does the cooking, generates the grease that builds up in the duct, and is in day-to-day control - and most commercial leases of catering premises place the repair, maintenance and cleaning of the kitchen and its systems (extraction included) on the tenant. So the usual answer is the tenant. But the definitive answer is always in the lease, which can vary (some split responsibilities, some make the landlord responsible for certain plant, some are silent on the extraction). So check your lease terms to confirm who's actually responsible, and if it's unclear, take advice and agree it in writing. So usually the tenant, but the lease governs. So usually the tenant - check the lease. This is general information, not legal advice.
Yes - the lease is the contract between landlord and tenant and governs the responsibility, so it's the definitive source; the tenant is the usual answer, but your particular lease is what actually decides. While the tenant is the common and default party responsible for extraction cleaning (as the kitchen operator generating the grease), the definitive answer lies in the lease - the contract setting out each party's repair, maintenance and cleaning obligations. Leases vary: most put the kitchen and extraction cleaning on the tenant, but some split responsibilities (landlord for structure and certain plant, tenant for the kitchen), some make the landlord responsible for maintaining systems via a service charge, and some are silent or ambiguous on the extraction. So you check the lease's obligations (and any specific mention of ventilation or extraction) to see who's responsible under your agreement. If it's unclear, take advice and settle it in writing. So yes - the lease governs, so read it rather than assume. So yes; check the lease terms. This is general information, not legal advice.
Don't guess - take advice on the lease and, crucially, agree with the other party in writing who will clean the extraction, so it doesn't fall through the gap and go undone; the duct still has to be cleaned regardless. If your lease is silent, ambiguous or unclear about who's responsible for the extraction cleaning, the danger is that the cleaning falls between the parties - each assuming the other will arrange it, and the duct silently building grease and fire risk. So don't leave it vague. Take advice (from a solicitor or surveyor) on what the lease means, and, importantly, agree with the other party (landlord and tenant together) who will carry out the extraction cleaning, and confirm that in writing - so it's settled and can't be missed. The overriding priority is that the ductwork actually gets cleaned to standard at the right frequency, whoever does it. So resolve the ambiguity, agree it in writing, and make sure the clean happens. So clarify it in writing and ensure it's done. This is general information, not legal advice.
Because an uncleaned duct threatens the landlord's building and insurance, not just the tenant's business - so landlords require proof the tenant is keeping the extraction cleaned to standard; the certificate is that evidence. Landlords have a strong interest in the extraction being cleaned, because a duct fire damages the landlord's property (the building they own) and can affect the landlord's own insurance and obligations - not only the tenant's business. So even where the tenant does the cleaning, landlords protect themselves by requiring proof it's actually being done: the tenant provides the cleaning certificates (to the TR19 Grease standard) from each clean, showing the extraction is cleaned properly and at the right frequency. This lets the landlord (or their managing agent) see the fire risk in their building is being managed. So the certificate request is the landlord overseeing that the cleaning happens (as covered in why landlords ask tenants for duct cleaning certificates). Tenants should expect this and keep the certificates ready. So to prove the duct is being cleaned, protecting the building. So to get proof the cleaning is done. This is general information, not legal advice.
Assume it's likely yours, check the lease to confirm, keep the extraction cleaned to standard with certificates, and if responsibility is unclear or split, agree it in writing - so you meet your duty and can prove it. As a tenant running a leased kitchen, the working assumption should be that keeping the extraction cleaned is your responsibility (the usual position), so: check your lease to confirm the repair, maintenance and cleaning obligations and any mention of the extraction; keep the ductwork cleaned to the TR19 Grease standard at a risk-based frequency, and keep the certificates (both to meet your duty and because your landlord may require proof); and if the lease is unclear or splits responsibility, agree in writing with your landlord who does what, so nothing falls through the gap. Doing this protects your business (the fire risk is in your kitchen), meets your likely obligations, and keeps you able to prove compliance. So take it as likely yours, confirm via the lease, and keep it cleaned and evidenced. So assume it's yours, check, clean and record. This is general information, not legal advice.
Yes - some leases split responsibilities (landlord for structure or certain plant, tenant for the kitchen cleaning), and shared or multi-tenant systems can complicate it; where it's split or shared, it's especially important to agree clearly who cleans the extraction. While the tenant is usually responsible for the extraction cleaning, responsibility can be split or shared depending on the lease and the building. Some leases make the landlord responsible for the structure and certain fixed plant while the tenant handles the kitchen and its cleaning; in some arrangements the landlord maintains certain systems and recovers the cost via a service charge; and in multi-tenant buildings with shared ductwork or systems, responsibility can be genuinely shared (as covered in the multi-tenant shared duct responsibility page). Where responsibility is split or shared like this, the risk of the cleaning falling through the gap is higher - so it's especially important to establish and agree clearly who is responsible for cleaning the extraction, and confirm it in writing. So yes, it can be split or shared - which makes clarity all the more important. So yes; agree it clearly where it's split. This is general information, not legal advice.
Whoever carries the responsibility under your lease, the ductwork still has to be cleaned to standard. We clean the whole extraction to TR19 Grease and provide the certificates - the proof a tenant keeps and a landlord asks for. Ask us to keep your leased kitchen's extraction compliant and evidenced. This is general information, not legal advice; your lease governs.
