We notice that many tenants are sometimes unsure what should and shouldn’t be included in a move-out cleaning checklist. Whether you go with us or a different company, we decided to put together a full breakdown of what’s typically expected when moving out of a rental in BC, based on what we consistently see landlords and property managers check for during move-out inspections.
Getting your damage deposit back often comes down to how thorough the clean is when the walkthrough happens, and landlords tend to look a lot closer than most tenants expect. Here’s the full checklist, along with some notes on the details that most often get missed.
NOTE: If you want to get a cleaning quote, please submit a request here or by calling us at (778) 655-4360 , we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What Landlords Really Focus On
Most tenants think a “clean” apartment means vacuumed floors and wiped counters. Landlords and property managers tend to look much closer than that. Based on what commonly comes up during move-out inspections across BC, a few specific areas get checked again and again:
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- Inside the fridge – not just the shelves, but the door seals, drawers, and the areas landlords tend to check with a flashlight
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- Behind and underneath the fridge and stove – this is where crumbs, grease, and dust build up over months (or years) and it’s one of the first things an inspector pulls out to check
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- Exhaust fan and its filter – the kitchen exhaust fan filter collects grease over time and is frequently overlooked by tenants doing their own cleaning
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- Walls – scuffs, marks, and grease splatter near the stove are common deposit deduction points
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- Baseboards – dust and grime along baseboards throughout the whole unit is one of the most commonly missed areas in a DIY clean
These are the details that separate a pass from a re-clean request, and they’re built into every move-out clean we do.
A Note on Carpet Steam Cleaning
One thing that catches a lot of tenants off guard: carpet steam cleaning isn’t always a requirement. Whether it’s needed usually depends on your specific tenancy agreement and what your landlord expects. Some landlords require a receipt for professional steam cleaning as a lease condition, while others don’t ask for it at all. It’s worth checking your lease agreement first to see if this is a specific requirement before booking anything.
Full BC Landlord Move-Out Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen
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- Oven cleaned inside and out
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- Stovetop and burners cleaned
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- Fridge and freezer cleaned inside and out
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- Microwave cleaned inside and out
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- Dishwasher exterior cleaned
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- Cabinets and drawers cleaned inside and out
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- Countertops and backsplash cleaned and sanitized
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- Sink and fixtures polished
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- Range hood cleaned
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- Interior windows cleaned
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- Window tracks and sills cleaned
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- Baseboards cleaned
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- Light fixtures, switches and outlet covers cleaned
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- Floors vacuumed and mopped
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- Cobwebs removed
Bathroom
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- Toilet fully sanitized
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- Bathtub and/or shower deep cleaned
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- Glass and shower tracks cleaned
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- Soap scum and mineral deposits removed
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- Mirror cleaned streak-free
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- Vanity cleaned inside and out
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- Cabinets and drawers cleaned
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- Sink and countertop sanitized
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- Fixtures polished
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- Exhaust fan dusted
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- Baseboards cleaned
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- Floor vacuumed and mopped
Bedroom
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- Floors vacuumed
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- Closet cleaned
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- Interior window cleaned
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- Window tracks and sills cleaned
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- Baseboards cleaned
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- Doors and frames wiped
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- Walls spot cleaned
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- Light fixtures dusted
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- Switches and outlets cleaned
Living & Dining Area
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- Floors vacuumed and mopped
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- Interior windows cleaned
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- Window tracks and sills cleaned
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- Baseboards cleaned
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- Doors, frames and handles cleaned
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- Walls spot cleaned
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- Light fixtures cleaned
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- Switches and outlets cleaned
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- Cobwebs removed
Balcony
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- Floors swept and washed
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- Railings wiped down
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- Glass panels cleaned (where accessible)
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- Doors and tracks cleaned
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- Cobwebs removed
Throughout the Entire Unit
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- Entryway cleaned
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- Hallways cleaned
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- Baseboards throughout
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- Interior windows throughout
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- Window tracks and sills throughout
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- Doors, frames and handles throughout
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- Light switches and outlet covers throughout
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- Air vents dusted
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- Cobweb removal throughout
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- Final quality inspection before completion
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re tackling the move-out clean yourself or hiring help, working through a checklist like this one can make the difference between a smooth deposit return and a dispute with your landlord. The details tenants miss most often (behind appliances, exhaust fan filters, walls, and baseboards) tend to be the same details landlords check first, so it’s worth giving those areas extra attention no matter who ends up doing the clean. Simply print this checklist and review whether these items are completed by the cleaning company, prior to the inspection of your landlord and if even some of these items are not completed, call them back, because landlords in BC follow a very strict inspection protocol.