Move Out Cleaning Checklist Alberta Landlords Inspect Against

The Alberta Move-Out Cleaning Checklist That Matches Your Condition Report

Most generic move-out cleaning checklists floating around online were written for somewhere else. Alberta has its own rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, and your landlord is walking through that suite with the same condition report they filled out the day you moved in. If your cleaning does not match that form line for line, you are risking your deposit.

I have done move-out cleaning for tenants across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Okotoks. The same disputes come up over and over. Greasy range hood filters. Calcium buildup on shower glass. Blinds that got wiped but not washed. Small things that cost people hundreds in deposit deductions. Here is what to actually do.

Before You Start: Pull Out Your Move-In Condition Report

Alberta law requires both landlord and tenant to sign a condition report at move-in and move-out. Your landlord will compare the two. Go through your copy and note anything that was marked damaged or dirty when you arrived. You are not responsible for pre-existing issues, but you need to be ready to point to the original report if there is a dispute.

Kitchen: The Room That Fails Most Inspections

The kitchen gets more scrutiny than any other room. Work through it in this order.

• Oven interior: Self-clean cycle alone is not enough. Wipe out the ash, scrub the racks separately, and clean the oven door glass inside and out. Inspectors open the oven first.
• Range hood and filter: Most tenants wipe the outside and stop. The mesh filter needs to come out and soak in hot water with dish soap or a degreaser. Hold it up to the light. If it is still opaque with grease, keep scrubbing.
• Refrigerator: Remove every shelf and drawer and wash them in the sink. Wipe the door seals, the top of the fridge, and the coil cover at the back or bottom.
• Dishwasher: Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub. Wipe the door gasket. Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet.
• Cabinets: Inside and outside of every door and drawer, including the top edges where grease settles.
• Sink and taps: Remove mineral deposits with a calcium remover or white vinegar. Calgary water is hard and the buildup shows.

Bathrooms: Calcium and Mould Are the Two Killers

• Shower glass and tiles: White calcium film on glass is the single most common reason I hear about deposit disputes in Calgary. Use a dedicated calcium remover, let it sit, and scrub with a non-scratch pad. It takes time. Budget for it.
• Grout lines: Mould in grout is noted on condition reports. A grout brush with a bleach-based cleaner handles most of it. If the grout is stained permanently, document that in writing before you leave.
• Toilet: Under the rim, the base where it meets the floor, and the tank lid. Inspectors check all three.
• Exhaust fan cover: Take it off and wash it. Dusty fan covers come up on almost every inspection report I have seen.
• Cabinet interiors and mirrors: Clean both sides of mirror edges where toothpaste splash hides.

Bedrooms and Living Areas

• Walls and baseboards: Wipe marks off walls with a damp melamine sponge. Scrub baseboards with a cloth, not just a dry duster. Pay attention to corners where dog hair and dust compact into a mat.
• Window tracks and sills: Fill the track with a bit of baking soda, spray with vinegar, let it fizz, then wipe out with a cotton swab or old toothbrush.
• Blinds: Wipe each slat individually. Dusty blinds are consistently noted on Alberta condition reports.
• Closets: Sweep or vacuum the floor, wipe the shelf, and check the rod for dust.
• Light fixtures and switches: Remove light covers and wash them. Wipe switch plates. These are easy to forget and easy for a landlord to spot.

The Finishing Walk-Through

Once everything is done, walk the unit with a flashlight held at a low angle against walls and surfaces. It reveals streaks, missed spots, and hair you would otherwise miss. Check inside every cupboard one more time. Make sure the furnace filter is clean or replaced if that was noted in your lease.

Take timestamped photos of every room before you hand back the keys. If there is any dispute later, those photos are your evidence.

When It Makes Sense to Hire Someone

If the unit is large, if you have limited time before the handover, or if the condition report from move-in was detailed and thorough, it is worth bringing in a professional. Our move-in and move-out cleaning service is built specifically around Alberta condition report requirements. We cover every item listed above and more. What drives the cost is the size of the home, how long it has been since a deep clean, and any specific add-ons like carpet cleaning or exterior window washing. Once you tell us about the place, we send an exact quote by text.

Whether you are in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, or Okotoks, give us a call or text at (587) 317-4822 and we will sort it out for you.