Moving Out
Clean the Unit
A tenant is expected to clean the inside of their rental unit – even if it wasn’t clean
at the beginning of the tenancy:
Carpets. Must be steam cleaned or shampooed for tenancies that lasted
longer than a year – tenants must pay any carpet cleaning costs.
Appliances. Must be cleaned in the unit – including behind or under the
fridge and stove, if they’re on wheels.
Window coverings. Coverings provided with the unit should be clean and
in reasonable condition at the end of the tenancy.
Windows. Should be cleaned including the inside tracks.
Balcony doors, windows and tracks. Should be cleaned on the inside and
outside.
Walls. Must be washed so that there are no scuff marks or finger prints
left behind, unless the texture of the walls doesn’t allow for this.
Nail holes. These do not need to be filled if the landlord’s rules for hanging
and removing pictures have been followed – however, tenants must pay to
repair excessive nail holes or deliberate damage.
Baseboard heaters. Should be vacuumed or wiped down.
Fireplaces. Should be cleaned out, if they’ve been used.
Light bulbs and fuses. Should all be in working order.
A tenant must move out by 1 p.m. on the last day of the tenancy (usually the last
day of the month). A landlord and tenant may agree on another time or date – as
long as it’s in writing and signed by both parties.
Before the Move-Out
Inspection
Tenants should make sure
the unit is prepared for the
final condition inspection –
that means they must
remove all belongings, clean
the unit and fix any damage.
Otherwise, the landlord may
ask to keep some or all of a
deposit to cover cleaning or
repair costs.
Photo credit myguys.nova via Visualhunt.com CC BY-SA
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