What Is Included in a Move-Out Clean in Alberta?

What Is Included in a Move-Out Clean in Alberta?

A professional move-out clean in Alberta is held to a different standard than a regular deep clean. The goal is not just to make the home look clean — it is to meet the documented standard that was set when you moved in, so that your full damage deposit is returned. Here is the complete scope.

Alberta Move-Out Clean Checklist

**Kitchen:** - Oven interior: Full scrub of walls, floor, racks, and interior glass. This is the number one cause of deposit deductions in Alberta. - Inside the refrigerator: All shelves and drawers removed and washed, door seals scrubbed, interior walls and floor clean - Inside the dishwasher: Interior wiped, filter cleaned - Inside all kitchen cabinets and drawers: Every shelf wiped, crumbs and debris removed, including the top surfaces of upper cabinets if accessible - Countertops, stovetop surface, sink, appliance exteriors - Cabinet fronts, backsplash, range hood

**Bathrooms:** - Full toilet including behind and base - Grout scrubbing on all tile surfaces - Descaling of all faucets, handles, and showerhead - Shower or tub including grout lines and caulking - Sink and vanity cabinet (inside and out) - Mirrors and medicine cabinet (inside and out) - Exhaust fan cover - Floors — every corner

**Throughout the unit:** - Baseboards: Wiped on every surface — this is a standard landlord inspection point - Window sills and window tracks: Tracks are a common inspection failure point - Inside all closets: Shelves, floor, and hanging rod wiped - All floors vacuumed then mopped - Light fixtures cleaned - Ceiling fans (blades and motor housing) - Vents - Wall marks: Spot-clean scuffs and marks throughout - Light switches and outlet covers - Door frames and hardware

What Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act Says About Cleaning

Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act requires tenants to leave the property in the same condition as when they moved in, "except for reasonable wear and tear." This means:

- If the home was professionally cleaned before you moved in, it must be professionally cleaned when you leave - Dirt, grease, and grime are not "wear and tear" — they are tenant responsibility - If a landlord needs to hire cleaners after your departure, the cost is deductible from your damage deposit with receipts

Many Calgary leases now explicitly state that a professional cleaning receipt must be provided at move-out. Check your lease before your move date.

How to Handle the Damage Deposit Properly

**Step 1**: Review the move-in inspection report. Your liability is limited to areas that are in a worse condition than documented at move-in.

**Step 2**: Book a professional move-out clean 5–7 days before your move-out date. This gives you a day of buffer if anything needs attention.

**Step 3**: Be present for the landlord's inspection if possible, or have a trusted person there. Having documentation (photos) of the home immediately after the clean is valuable.

**Step 4**: If the landlord identifies an issue, having a professional clean receipt significantly strengthens your position. It demonstrates you exercised reasonable care.

**Step 5**: If a deduction is made that you believe is unreasonable, Alberta's Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) handles these disputes and can order deposit return.

What Affects Move-Out Clean Pricing

The price of your move-out clean depends on four factors: 1. **Home size** (bedrooms and square footage) 2. **Number of bathrooms** (each adds meaningful time) 3. **Condition** (a well-maintained home costs less to clean out than one with years of buildup) 4. **Specific additions** (carpet cleaning is separate; window exterior cleaning is separate)

Get an honest quote by accurately describing your home's condition. A cleaning company that has worked in Calgary rentals for years knows what "normal wear" looks like versus "needs significant work."