Post-Move Cleaning Checklist for Your Old Apartment

Why Cleaning Your Old Apartment Matters

In Quebec, you're expected to leave your rental in reasonable condition — not necessarily pristine, but clean enough that the next tenant can move in without scrubbing first. While Quebec law doesn't allow landlords to charge a security deposit, a dirty departure can hurt your rental references and lead to disputes.

Many Montreal landlords do a walk-through inspection when you hand back the keys. Coming back to a clean apartment creates goodwill and makes the whole process smoother. Plus, it's just the right thing to do for the next person calling that space home.

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

The kitchen takes the most effort. Work through this list:

• Oven and stove: Clean the inside of the oven, burner grates, and drip pans. Remove grease from the range hood and filter.
• Refrigerator: Empty, defrost (if needed), and wipe all shelves, drawers, and seals. Leave the door slightly open if the power will be off.
• Cabinets and drawers: Wipe inside and out. Remove shelf liners if you installed them.
• Counters and backsplash: Degrease thoroughly. Pay attention to corners and the area behind the faucet.
• Sink and faucet: Scrub and descale. Clean the drain.
• Floor: Sweep and mop. Get under the stove and fridge if possible.

Bathroom and Bedroom Cleaning

Bathrooms need special attention:

• Toilet: Clean inside the bowl, the seat, the base, and behind the toilet.
• Shower/tub: Remove soap scum and mildew. Clean grout lines. Wipe the showerhead.
• Sink and mirror: Descale the faucet and clean the mirror streak-free.
• Medicine cabinet: Wipe shelves and check for forgotten items.
• Exhaust fan: Remove dust from the vent cover.

For bedrooms, wipe baseboards, clean closets inside and out, and wash any scuff marks off walls. If you hung pictures, fill nail holes with a small dab of spackling paste (available at any Dollarama or hardware store on Mont-Royal). A quick coat of touch-up paint goes a long way.

Final Walkthrough and Common Oversights

Before handing back the keys, do one final walk-through and check these commonly forgotten areas:

• Light fixtures: Dust or wipe ceiling lights and replace any burned-out bulbs.
• Windows: Clean interior glass, sills, and tracks.
• Storage locker: Empty and sweep your basement or parking locker.
• Balcony: Sweep and remove any personal items, planters, or BBQ-related debris.
• Laundry area: If you have in-unit or shared laundry, clean the lint trap and wipe the machines.

Take timestamped photos of every room after cleaning. This protects you if the landlord later claims the apartment was left dirty. Email the photos to yourself so you have dated proof. Then hand over the keys, wish the place well, and head to your new home — you're done.