What Calgary Landlords Actually Inspect

This is the move out cleaning checklist Calgary tenants actually need — built around what landlords and property managers check at the final inspection, and what most tenants miss. Getting your full damage deposit back depends less on general tidiness and more on hitting the specific points inspectors look for. Work through this list completely and you remove cleaning as a reason for any deduction.

The Areas Tenants Consistently Miss

Certain spots show up on inspection reports again and again because tenants forget them. Inside the oven is the single most common deposit-deduction source in Calgary — inspectors open it and check every time. Behind and around the toilet base. Exhaust fan covers thick with dust. Window tracks on every window. Inside fridge door seals, where mould builds unseen. Closet floors and shelves. Tops of doorframes. Miss these and you risk a deduction no matter how tidy the rest looks.

Kitchen Move Out Checklist

The kitchen carries the most inspection weight. Clean inside the oven — walls, floor, ceiling, door glass, and racks. Clean the range hood filter, or replace it if needed. Clean inside the fridge and freezer — all shelves, drawers, and door seals. Clean inside the microwave, and inside all cabinets and drawers. Wipe countertops and scrub backsplash grout. Descale the sink and faucet. Clean the dishwasher filter. Wipe all appliance exteriors. Vacuum and mop the floors, including under and behind appliances where accessible.

• Inside oven — walls, floor, ceiling, glass, racks
• Range hood filter cleaned or replaced
• Inside fridge and freezer, including door seals
• Inside microwave, cabinets, and drawers
• Countertops, backsplash grout, sink descaled
• All appliance exteriors, floors under appliances

Bathroom Move Out Checklist

Bathrooms are inspected closely. Clean the toilet inside the bowl including under the rim — always checked — plus all exterior surfaces and behind and around the base. Scrub the shower and tub tile and grout. Descale faucets and the showerhead. Clean shower door tracks and seals. Wipe inside the vanity cabinet and drawers. Clean the mirror streak-free. Clean the exhaust fan cover. Mop the floor including behind the toilet and under the vanity.

Bedroom, Living Area, and Whole-Home Checklist

Throughout the property: clean inside all closets including shelves, rod, and floor. Wipe all baseboards. Clean window sills and tracks on every window. Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans. Fill any nail holes and clean wall marks where your lease requires it. Confirm all light bulbs are present and working. Empty and clean all bins. Vacuum and mop all floors. Return all keys, fobs, and remotes. Leave the property empty and swept.

Cleaning vs Damage: Know the Difference

It’s important to understand what cleaning can and can’t fix, because deposit deductions fall into two categories. Cleaning issues — a greasy oven, soap scum, dusty vents, dirty floors — are entirely within your control and a thorough clean removes them as a deduction reason. Damage and wear are separate: nail holes, carpet stains, scratched floors, or broken fixtures may be deducted regardless of how clean the unit is, though normal wear and tear cannot legally be charged to you under Alberta tenancy rules. A professional move out clean handles the cleaning category completely; it won’t repair damage, but it ensures you’re never charged for cleaning that was actually done. If you have pre-existing damage, document it and discuss it with your landlord separately — don’t assume a clean unit alone guarantees a full deposit if there are genuine repair items.

Alberta Tenancy Basics for Move Out

Under Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act, your landlord must return your security deposit within 10 days of the tenancy ending, along with an itemised statement of any deductions. You’re entitled to a move-in and move-out inspection report, and you have the right to be present at the move-out inspection. Leaving the unit clean and documenting its condition with photos on your way out protects you if a dispute arises later. A professional clean plus a set of date-stamped photos is the strongest position a tenant can be in when the deposit is being assessed.

Should You Hire a Professional?

Here’s the honest math. A professional move out clean for a two-bedroom Calgary condo costs $240 to $310. A partial deposit deduction for cleaning at the same property typically runs $300 to $800, and a full deduction can exceed $1,500. Professional cleaning costs less than the deduction it prevents — and a reputable company backs it with a re-clean guarantee, so if the landlord flags anything, it’s fixed at no cost. DIY is realistic if you have a full day, a HEPA vacuum, and the discipline to follow this entire list. If you don’t, professional cleaning is the safer financial choice.

Timing matters too: book your clean 5 to 7 days before your vacate date so there’s room for a re-clean if needed, and remember that end-of-month dates in Calgary fill up fast. A professional move out clean uses HEPA-filter vacuums and EcoLogo certified products, leaving the unit genuinely clean and odour-free for the inspection. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If anything is missed, contact us within 24 hours and we will return to re-clean the area at no additional cost.

Need it done for you? See our move out cleaning service, or request a free quote. Moving in somewhere new? See our move in cleaning.