Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for BC Renters

Moving out of a rental in BC is stressful enough without losing part of your damage deposit over a dirty oven. This checklist covers what to clean, room by room, plus the BC rules that decide what happens to your deposit. Use it to clean yourself, or to check the work if you hire a cleaner.

What BC law expects when you move out

Under BC's Residential Tenancy Act, when you move out you have to leave the rental unit reasonably clean, and undamaged except for reasonable wear and tear. "Reasonably clean" isn't spotless-hotel clean, but it does mean the next tenant could move in without cleaning first.

A few other rules are worth knowing:

• The move-out inspection. Your landlord has to offer you at least two opportunities to do the move-out condition inspection together. Go to it, and compare the unit with your move-in inspection report.
• Your deposit deadline. Once your tenancy has ended and your landlord has your forwarding address in writing, they have 15 days to either return your deposit (with any interest) or apply for dispute resolution to keep some or all of it.
• Carpets. The Residential Tenancy Branch's guidelines generally expect tenants to have carpets steam-cleaned or shampooed at the end of a tenancy of a year or more. Check your lease too.

This is general information, not legal advice. For the details, see the BC Residential Tenancy Branch.

Before you start cleaning

• Move everything out first — you can't clean inside cabinets and closets that still have things in them.
• Empty the fridge and freezer a day or two before, so there's no food left to deal with.
• Remove nails or hooks only if your lease allows it, and ask your landlord how they want holes handled.
• Take out all garbage, recycling and compost — including anything on the balcony or in storage.
• Find your move-in condition inspection report so you know what condition the unit started in.

Kitchen checklist

The kitchen is where most cleaning deductions come from. Landlords open the oven and fridge first.

• Inside the oven — racks, walls, door glass and the bottom tray
• Stovetop and burners, plus the range hood and its filter
• Inside the fridge and freezer — shelves, drawers and door seals
• Inside the dishwasher, including the filter
• Inside the microwave
• Inside every cabinet and drawer, top to bottom
• Cabinet fronts, handles and the backsplash
• Sink, faucet and drain
• Counters, including along the wall and behind appliances
• Floor, including under the edges of the fridge and stove if they move safely

Bathroom checklist

• Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
• Shower and tub — tiles, grout, glass doors or tracks, and the drain
• Sink, faucet and vanity, inside and out
• Mirror and medicine cabinet
• Exhaust fan cover
• Floor, including corners and behind the toilet

Bedrooms, living areas and closets

• Inside closets — shelves, rods and floor
• Window sills and window tracks
• Baseboards and door frames
• Light switches, outlets and door handles
• Scuffs on walls — spot-clean gently, and test a small area first
• Floors vacuumed and mopped; carpets vacuumed (and shampooed if required)

Last-day checklist

• Balcony or patio swept
• Storage locker and parking stall emptied
• All keys, fobs and remotes ready to hand back
• Photos of every room after the clean, with the date
• Forwarding address given to your landlord in writing

The spots tenants miss most

When to book a move-out clean

Book the clean for after your movers leave, so the home is empty, and before your move-out inspection — ideally the day before. In Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, the last few days of the month are the busiest, so book as soon as you know your move date. If your building needs an elevator booking for moving, schedule the clean for after it ends.

See prices and details on our move in/out cleaning page, or find your city: Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver.