Move Out Cleaning Checklist Alberta | Spotless Edge

What Alberta Landlords Actually Check When You Move Out

Most tenants scrub the obvious stuff, hand over the keys, and then get a deduction they didn't expect. The problem isn't effort. The problem is not knowing what's on the condition report your landlord walks through with a clipboard. In Alberta, landlords use a move-in and move-out inspection report to compare the property's condition at both ends of the tenancy. If there's a gap, your deposit covers it.

I've done hundreds of move-out cleans across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and Leduc. The same spots get missed every single time. This checklist is built around what actually shows up on those inspection reports.

The Move Out Cleaning Checklist Alberta Tenants Need

Kitchen

• Oven interior: Pull out the racks and clean them separately. Baked-on grease on the oven floor and the broiler drawer is the most common deduction I see.
• Stovetop and burner grates: Soak cast iron grates overnight if needed. Inspectors check underneath them.
• Range hood filter: Remove it and degrease it. A clogged filter is a fire hazard and landlords know it.
• Inside the refrigerator: All shelves, drawers, and door seals. Don't forget the rubber gasket where mould hides.
• Refrigerator coils and underneath: Pull the fridge out. Dust and debris behind it show up on inspection.
• Dishwasher filter and door seal: Most people run an empty cycle and call it done. Clean the filter manually.
• Inside all cabinets and drawers: Wipe shelves and remove any liner paper you installed.
• Sink and tap: Remove hard water scale. Limescale is very common in Edmonton's water supply.

Bathrooms

• Grout lines: Inspectors look closely at tile grout. Mould in grout is a specific line item on many condition reports.
• Toilet base and behind the toilet: The floor around the base collects grime that's easy to miss when mopping.
• Exhaust fan cover: Take it off and wash it. Dusty vents are a common note.
• Shower tracks and door seals: Soap scum in sliding door tracks is visible and noted.
• Inside vanity cabinet: Wipe the bottom where products leave rings and residue.

All Rooms and Living Areas

• Baseboards: Run a damp cloth along the full length of every room. Dust sits here and it's eye-level when an inspector crouches down.
• Window sills and tracks: Tracks collect dead insects and debris, especially through an Alberta summer.
• Blinds: Wipe each slat. Dusty blinds are almost always noted.
• Light fixtures and switch plates: Remove covers and clean inside globes. Wipe switch plates, which are touched daily and show smudges.
• Closets: Shelves, rods, and floors. Don't forget the closet floor corners.
• Walls: Spot clean scuffs. In Alberta, normal wear is generally acceptable, but heavy marks are not.
• Carpet: Vacuum thoroughly and consider a professional shampoo if there are stains. Stained carpet is one of the largest deduction sources.

Utility and Overlooked Areas

• Laundry machines: Clean the drum, the detergent drawer, and the lint trap housing. Pull them out and clean behind.
• Furnace filter: Replace it. This appears on condition reports in Alberta because furnaces work hard here.
• Garage floor: Oil stains and debris. A lot of landlords in Fort Saskatchewan and Beaumont specifically note the garage.
• Exterior entryways and steps: Sweep and wash. First and last impressions matter to an inspector.
• All light bulbs: Replace any that are burned out.

What Drives the Cost of a Professional Move-Out Clean

If you're thinking about hiring someone, the main factors are the square footage of the home, how long you've lived there, and the current condition. A bachelor suite in Spruce Grove after a one-year tenancy takes far less time than a four-bedroom house in St. Albert after five years. Add-ons like carpet cleaning, fridge coil cleaning, or window washing affect it too. We look at what you've got and text you an exact quote before we schedule anything.

When to Book a Professional Move-Out Clean

Book it after your belongings are out and before the final inspection. Give yourself at least a day between the clean and the walkthrough so you can fix anything that gets missed. Our move-in and move-out cleaning service covers everything on this list. We work across Edmonton and into Leduc, Beaumont, Sherwood Park, and the surrounding area.

If you'd rather not risk the deposit, text or call us at (587) 400-1784 and we'll sort out the details with you directly.