In British Columbia, a landlord can only keep part of your damage deposit for cleaning if the place isn't left “reasonably clean.”The single best way to protect your deposit is to leave the home the way you'd want to receive it. Use the checklist below — it mirrors what most landlords and property managers check at move-out.
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
- Inside the oven, stovetop, and range hood
- Inside and behind the fridge (and freezer), defrosted if needed
- Countertops, backsplash, and sink descaled
- Dishwasher wiped inside and out
- Floors swept and mopped, including under appliances where possible
Bathrooms
- Toilet, tub, and shower scrubbed — grout and glass included
- Sink, vanity, and mirror polished
- Inside cabinets and drawers wiped
- Exhaust fan cover dusted, floors washed
Bedrooms & living areas
- Inside closets and shelving wiped
- Baseboards, window sills, and door frames dusted
- Marks wiped from walls and light switches
- Floors vacuumed and mopped throughout
Easy-to-forget spots
These are the details that most often cost people part of their deposit:
- Light fixtures and ceiling fan blades
- Blinds and window tracks
- Interior windows
- Vents and returns
- Balcony or patio swept (where it's yours to clean)
A few tips that help
- Clean after you've moved everything out — an empty home is far easier to reset.
- Take dated photos once you're done, as your own record of the condition.
- Check your original move-in inspection report and match it.
Rather not do it yourself?
A professional move-out clean is the most detailed clean we offer — built for empty homes, covering everything on this list so the place is ready for inspection. You can book online and see your exact price in about 60 seconds — flat-rate, with the 5% GST shown (cleaning is PST-exempt in BC, so there's no PST).
Moving out? Get your exact move-out price instantly.
Book a move-out clean