In Alberta, your landlord can deduct cleaning costs from your damage deposit if the place isn't left in good shape. The Residential Tenancy Act expects "ordinary cleanliness" — but in practice, Edmonton property managers inspect closely, and a missed oven or dusty blind can cost you hundreds. This checklist covers what inspectors actually look for, room by room.
Before You Start
- Photograph everything when you move in and when you move out. Timestamped photos are your best friend if there's a deposit dispute.
- Check your lease. Some Edmonton leases specify professional carpet cleaning or a particular standard. Know what you signed.
- Work top to bottom, back to front. Dust ceiling fans and shelves first, floors last, and clean your way toward the exit so you never walk through a finished room.
Kitchen
- Clean inside the oven, including racks and the glass door (the #1 deposit deduction)
- Clean inside the fridge and freezer; pull them out and sweep behind
- Degrease the range hood filter and stovetop drip pans
- Wipe inside all cupboards, drawers, and pantry shelves
- Descale the sink and polish the faucet
- Clean the microwave inside and out
- Wipe baseboards and light switch plates
- Mop the floor, including under appliances you can safely move
Bathrooms
- Scrub the tub/shower, including grout lines and the showerhead
- Descale faucets and remove hard-water buildup (Edmonton's water is moderately hard — check for white deposits)
- Clean the toilet inside, outside, and behind the base
- Wipe the mirror, vanity, and inside the medicine cabinet
- Clean the exhaust fan cover (landlords check this more than you'd think)
- Mop the floor and wipe baseboards
Bedrooms & Living Areas
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and window sills
- Clean inside closets, including shelves and the floor
- Wipe baseboards throughout (a Magic Eraser works wonders on scuffs)
- Clean windowsills and window tracks
- Vacuum carpets edge to edge, including under radiators
- Fill small nail holes with filler and touch up paint if your lease requires it
- Remove all personal belongings — including from storage rooms, balconies, and parkades
Laundry & Entry
- Wipe inside the washer (run an empty hot cycle with vinegar) and clean the dryer lint trap and housing
- Sweep and mop the laundry area floor
- Clean the entry closet shelves and floor
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs throughout the unit
What Edmonton Landlords Check Most
From years of cleaning Edmonton rentals, these are the items that decide deposit deductions:
- Oven and fridge interiors — almost always inspected first.
- Bathroom grout and caulking — mildew here reads as neglect.
- Baseboards and window tracks — the detail work that separates a quick tidy from a real move-out clean.
- Carpets — vacuumed edge to edge; professionally cleaned if your lease requires it.
- Walls — scuffs and marks beyond normal wear.
DIY or Hire a Move-Out Cleaner?
A thorough DIY move-out clean takes most renters 6–10 hours for a 2-bedroom — plus supplies, plus the stress of doing it while you're hauling boxes. And if the landlord isn't satisfied, you pay for a re-clean anyway.
A professional move-out clean in Edmonton typically runs $200–$450 depending on size. Compare that against your deposit (often $1,000+): hiring pros is cheap insurance. Our move-out cleans come with a simple promise — if your landlord flags anything we cleaned, we come back and fix it.