Moving day in Toronto is chaotic enough without worrying about surprise move-out bills. But here's the thing: in Ontario, landlords can't even collect a damage deposit — yet cleaning disputes are still a common trigger for move-out bills and Landlord and Tenant Board claims. A stove with baked-on grease, a bathroom with mouldy grout, dusty baseboards in every room. These are the things that show up on inspection reports.
Whether you're leaving a downtown condo or a Scarborough semi, this room-by-room checklist covers exactly what a thorough move-out clean looks like.
Kitchen
The kitchen is where landlords look hardest, so start here.
- Clean inside and outside of the oven, including racks and the stovetop
- Pull out the fridge (if it's yours to clean) and clean behind and underneath it; wipe all shelves and drawers inside
- Wipe down all cabinets and drawers, inside and out
- Degrease the range hood and exhaust fan filter
- Scrub the sink, faucet and backsplash
- Wipe countertops and clean any built-up grime along edges and seams
- Sweep and mop the floor, including under appliances
Bathrooms
Bathrooms show neglect fast. Every surface matters.
- Scrub the toilet inside, outside and behind — including the base and hinges
- Deep-clean the tub and shower, including grout lines, caulking and the showerhead
- Polish mirrors, faucets and all chrome fixtures
- Wipe down the vanity, medicine cabinet and all shelving
- Clean the exhaust fan cover (dust buildup is a classic inspection fail)
- Mop the floor, getting into corners and behind the door
Bedrooms and living areas
These rooms look "fine" at a glance, which is exactly why details get missed.
- Empty and wipe all closets, shelves and drawers
- Dust baseboards, window sills and door frames in every room
- Clean light fixtures, ceiling fan blades and switch plates
- Remove all nails, screws and wall anchors; fill holes
- Wipe down doors, handles and trim
- Vacuum carpeted areas edge to edge, including under where furniture sat
Floors throughout
- Vacuum every room first, then mop hard floors
- Pay attention to corners, edges and along baseboards where dust collects
- For hardwood, use a damp (not soaking) mop — standing water is the enemy
Walls, doors and trim
- Spot-clean scuffs and marks on walls
- Wipe down all doors, frames and trim
- Check behind doors for hidden scuffs and dust
Windows
- Clean interior glass on all windows and patio doors
- Wipe window sills and tracks (tracks collect an astonishing amount of dirt)
- Dust or wipe blinds
Don't forget these
- Laundry room: wipe the washer/dryer exteriors, clean the lint trap area
- Balcony: sweep it clear and wipe the railing
- Storage locker and parking spot: sweep out completely
- Replace any burnt-out light bulbs
- Return all keys, fobs and garage remotes
What Toronto landlords actually check
If you're short on time, prioritize the five things most likely to land you a cleaning bill: the oven, the fridge interior, bathroom grout and caulking, baseboards, and floors. A landlord doing a 10-minute walkthrough will open the oven, run a finger along a baseboard, and check the bathroom. Nail those and you're most of the way there.
DIY vs. hiring a move-out cleaning service
A full move-out clean of a typical Toronto condo takes 4–8 hours of hard work — on top of packing, movers and address changes. If you're already stretched thin, hiring professionals is often the difference between getting it done and getting it done right.
Abby Cleaning Co's move-in/move-out cleaning starts at $279, and you can get an instant estimate online with no waiting and no phone tag. Our teams serve Toronto and the GTA, and we clean to the level landlords inspect at — kitchens, bathrooms, floors, baseboards, everything in between.
Final walkthrough tips
- Take timestamped photos of every room after cleaning — your best protection if there's ever a dispute
- Do the walkthrough in daylight if possible; it shows everything
- Keep your cleaning receipts; they prove the work was done professionally
Frequently asked questions
Moving out at month-end? Get an instant estimate for move-out cleaning in Toronto & the GTA — no waiting, no phone tag.