Vancouver's rental market is competitive, and landlords inspect closely. Miss a single item on move-out and your security deposit is at risk. Use this room-by-room checklist to leave your rental spotless.
Vancouver's rental market is one of the tightest in Canada. With vacancy rates consistently near 1%, landlords have leverage — and many use move-out inspections as an opportunity to deduct from security deposits for anything less than perfect condition. The BC Residential Tenancy Act requires you to return the unit in the same condition it was in when you moved in (less normal wear and tear), but in practice, that means a thorough, professional-grade clean.
This checklist is built for Greater Vancouver rentals — condos in Burnaby, townhomes in Surrey, apartments in New Westminster, or houses in Maple Ridge. Use it to do the clean yourself, or to brief a cleaning company before they arrive.
Before You Start
- Take timestamped photos of every room before you begin cleaning
- Review your move-in condition checklist or inspection report if you have one
- Remove all personal belongings, including items in closets, cabinets, and storage areas
- Gather cleaning supplies or confirm your cleaning company will bring their own
- Allow a full day — rushing is the #1 cause of missed items
Kitchen
- Clean inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers (remove any crumbs or residue)
- Degrease cabinet doors and handles
- Clean oven inside and out — including racks, broiler drawer, and oven door glass
- Clean stovetop, burner grates or coil elements, and drip pans
- Clean microwave inside and out, including turntable
- Clean and descale dishwasher (filter, door seal, spray arms)
- Wipe down refrigerator inside and out — remove all shelves and crisper drawers
- Clean under the fridge and stove (pull them out if possible)
- Degrease range hood and replace or clean the filter
- Scrub sink and faucet — remove any limescale buildup
- Clean tile backsplash and grout
- Wipe down all countertops including edges and sides
- Sweep and mop the floor, including under appliances
Bathrooms
- Scrub toilet — bowl, seat, lid, tank exterior, base, and behind the tank
- Clean bathtub or shower — tile, grout, glass door or curtain rod
- Descale showerhead
- Remove and replace (or deep clean) shower curtain liner if applicable
- Scrub sink and faucet — remove soap scum and limescale
- Clean medicine cabinet inside and out
- Wipe down vanity and drawers
- Clean mirrors (streak-free)
- Wipe baseboards, light fixtures, and exhaust fan cover
- Mop floor and clean grout
- Check for mould on ceiling, caulking, and tile — clean if present
Bedrooms
- Wipe down all closet shelves and rods
- Clean closet floor (vacuum and mop)
- Wipe baseboards, light switches, and outlet covers
- Clean window sills and tracks
- Wipe blinds or window coverings
- Vacuum carpet or mop hardwood
- Remove any wall anchors or picture hooks (patch if required)
- Clean ceiling fan blades if present
Living and Dining Areas
- Vacuum carpet thoroughly — use an edge attachment for baseboards
- Sweep and mop hardwood or laminate floors
- Wipe all baseboards
- Clean window sills, tracks, and frames
- Clean blinds or curtain rods
- Wipe light switches, outlet covers, and door handles
- Clean fireplace surround and hearth if applicable
- Remove scuffs from walls (Magic Eraser works well for minor marks)
Laundry Room
- Wipe inside washer drum and door seal
- Clean dryer lint trap and surrounding area
- Wipe exterior of washer and dryer
- Clean utility sink if present
- Sweep and mop floor under and behind machines
Final Walkthrough
- Check all light fixtures — replace any burned-out bulbs
- Test all windows and doors open and close properly
- Remove all garbage and recycling
- Check balcony or patio — sweep, remove all items
- Take final timestamped photos of every room
- Return all keys, fobs, and parking passes
Should You Hire a Professional Move-Out Cleaner?
In Vancouver, where a single month's rent is often $2,000–$3,500, protecting your security deposit is worth the investment. A professional move-out cleaning service typically costs a fraction of what a landlord can deduct if the clean isn't up to standard. More importantly, professional cleaners know exactly what landlords and property managers look for — the inside of the oven, under the fridge, grout lines, and window tracks are the most commonly cited deficiencies in Metro Vancouver rental inspections.
SturdyBee Cleaning offers flat-rate move-out cleaning across Greater Vancouver, including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, the Tri-Cities, Maple Ridge, Langley, and Abbotsford. We handle everything on this list — you just need to make sure the unit is empty before we arrive.