What Alberta Landlords Check During Move-Out Inspection

What Alberta Landlords Check During Move-Out Inspection

Knowing exactly what Calgary and Alberta landlords inspect at move-out allows you to prioritize your cleaning and protect your full damage deposit. This is the complete, room-by-room inspection guide based on what property management companies in Calgary actually review.

Before the Inspection: Your Rights

Under Alberta law, you have the right to be present at the move-out inspection. The landlord must provide you with the opportunity to attend and must use the same form used for the move-in inspection. If you cannot attend, you have the right to receive a copy of the completed inspection report.

**Request the inspection in writing**: "I would like to be present for the move-out inspection. Please let me know the date and time at your earliest convenience." An email with this request creates documentation.

Kitchen — What Is Inspected

**Oven interior** (highest risk for deduction): - Inside walls, floor, and ceiling of the oven - Oven racks (often overlooked in DIY cleaning) - Interior glass door — both surfaces

**Refrigerator:** - All interior shelves and drawers - Door seals (black mould in door seals is a common deduction) - Interior walls and floor

**Dishwasher:** - Interior walls and floor - Filter (a frequently missed item)

**Cabinets:** - Interior surfaces, shelving, and drawers - Including the top surfaces of upper cabinets if accessible

**Stovetop and range:** - Burner grates, burner bowls, and drip pans - Control panel area and the surface behind the controls

**Countertops and sink:** - Counter surfaces including backsplash edge - Sink basin and drain

Bathrooms — What Is Inspected

**Toilet:** - Interior bowl including under the rim - Exterior including base and floor area at base

**Shower and/or bathtub:** - All tile surfaces including grout lines - Glass shower door or curtain and rod - Caulking condition (stained or deteriorated caulking may be noted)

**Fixtures:** - Faucets and taps — calcium scale is noted - Showerhead - Towel bars and hooks

**Sink and vanity:** - Sink basin - Counter surface - Inside vanity cabinet

**Floor:** - Tile floor including grout lines - Behind and beside the toilet

**Exhaust fan:** - Condition of the cover — dusty or clogged fans are noted

Throughout the Unit — What Is Inspected

**Baseboards**: Landlords often run a finger along the top of baseboards. Dusty or dirty baseboards are one of the most commonly noted items.

**Window tracks and sills**: Calgary window tracks accumulate significant debris. This is almost always on the inspection checklist.

**Closets**: Interior floor, shelving, and hanging area. Items left behind by the tenant are also documented.

**Walls**: Marks, stains, crayon, or significant scuffs. Minor nail holes in plaster or drywall are typically wear and tear; large holes, significant paint staining, or extensive marks are not.

**Floors and carpet**: Carpet staining, embedded pet hair, and worn patches beyond normal use. Hard floor scratching beyond normal wear.

**Light fixtures and ceiling fans**: Dust accumulation on ceiling fan blades is commonly noted.

**Garage and storage areas** (if applicable): Clean-out of any storage areas and garage floor condition.

The Most Common Calgary-Specific Inspection Points

**Hard water scale in bathrooms**: Calgary landlords are accustomed to hard water issues, but they still expect tenants to address visible scale on fixtures and grout. This is considered maintenance neglect, not wear and tear.

**Winter salt residue on floors**: If you are moving out in winter or early spring, salt and sand residue tracked in from November through March should be thoroughly mopped from entry and kitchen floor areas.

**Heating season HVAC evidence**: If you moved in during summer and are moving out after a winter, the landlord may check vent covers for dust accumulation and may ask about furnace filter changes.

Final Preparation Checklist Before Inspection

The day before your inspection, walk through and verify: - Oven interior: clean and dry - Refrigerator interior: empty, clean, and dry with the door propped open - All bathroom fixtures: descaled, grout scrubbed, no hair - All baseboards: wiped - All window tracks: clean - All floors: freshly vacuumed and mopped - All garbage: removed from the property - All personal belongings: removed - All closets: empty and clean inside

Take timestamped photos of every room and every inspected area before you hand over the keys. Your photos are your evidence if any dispute arises.