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Move-Out Cleaning Checklist in Metro Vancouver: BC-Legal Based Guide for Tenants

Moving out of a rental in Metro Vancouver isn’t just about courtesy – it’s part of legal responsibilities as a tenant. The Province of BC states that tenants must clean the rental when moving out, and if the property is not left clean, the tenant pays the cleaning costs (Government of British Columbia, 2025).


The Residential Tenancy Branch’s policy guideline on landlord and tenant responsibilities explains that, at the end of a tenancy, the tenant is responsible for cleaning the unit and may be responsible for carpet cleaning after certain tenancies (Residential Tenancy Branch, 2025). TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre) summarises this simply: tenants must clean their rental when moving out and can lose deposit money if they leave it dirty (TRAC, 2022).


BC Housing goes even further and publishes a “Tenant Requirements – Moving Out Checklist”, listing detailed tasks like cleaning cupboards inside and out, washing smooth floors, and cleaning all bathroom fixtures (BC Housing, 2016; BC Housing, 2025).


Aerial view of Metro Vancouver with high-rise condo buildings, neighbourhoods and the Fraser River – the region where our Vancouver move-out cleaning checklist applies.
Metro Vancouver from above – a region of high-rise rentals, townhomes and condos where tenants are expected to follow BC’s move-out cleaning standards.

This article translates those standards into a practical, room-by-room checklist that matches what landlords, property managers, and housing providers typically expect in Metro Vancouver.



Legal & Practical Standards for Move-Out Cleaning in BC


1.1 Why cleaning matters for your damage deposit


BC’s “Moving out of rental units” page makes three key points (Government of British Columbia, 2025):


  • Tenants must clean the rental unit when moving out.

  • If the property is not clean, the tenant is generally required to pay cleaning costs.

  • Tenants are not responsible for normal wear and tear, but dirt, grease, and built-up grime are not wear and tear.


The BC Housing Tenant Handbook echoes this: tenants must leave the unit as clean as it was when they moved in, except for normal wear and tear (BC Housing, 2020). TRAC reinforces this in its Tenant Survival Guide and “Moving Out” materials, clarifying that tenants must clean their rentals at the end of the tenancy and that poor cleaning is a common reason for deposit deductions (TRAC, 2022).


1.2 What official BC checklists look like


BC Housing’s Moving Out Checklist (OPS-195) lists, among others, these items as tenant responsibilities (BC Housing, 2016):


  • All cupboards inside and out (shelf liners removed)

  • All windows inside; outside where accessible

  • All bathroom fixtures

  • All smooth floors washed


In addition, the Residential Tenancy Branch’s Policy Guideline GL01 notes that tenants will generally be held responsible for steam cleaning or shampooing carpets after a tenancy of one year, and may be expected to clean carpets at the end of shorter tenancies if there are stains, pets, or smoking (Residential Tenancy Branch, 2025).


Renting It Right (a BC tenant education resource) also sets cleaning expectations at move-out, including cleaning the stove top, elements and oven, defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator, and steam cleaning or shampooing carpets in particular circumstances (Renting It Right, 2024).


The checklist below is built directly on these standards and adapted for typical Metro Vancouver condos and houses.



How to Use This Move-Out Cleaning Checklist


When to clean:


  • Ideally after your furniture and belongings are out and before the move-out inspection.

  • This makes it easier to clean inside cabinets, closets, and all floor space thoroughly, which is exactly what BC Housing’s checklist anticipates (BC Housing, 2016; BC Housing, 2025).


In what order:


Move-out cleaning flow for Metro Vancouver rentals – remove belongings first, then clean the kitchen (appliances and cabinets), bathrooms, closets and built-ins, floors and carpets, and finally optional add-ons such as windows and balcony.
Recommended flow for move-out cleaning in Metro Vancouver: remove belongings, then work through the kitchen, bathrooms, closets and built-ins, floors and carpets, and finish with optional add-ons like windows and balcony cleaning.

  1. Kitchen (highest risk for grease and food residue)

  2. Bathrooms (sanitation and mould control)

  3. Entire-home areas (closets, shelving, floors, doors, baseboards)

  4. Optional add-ons (windows, blinds, balcony, carpet shampooing)


Tie-in with inspections:


BC emphasises the importance of move-in and move-out condition inspections to document the state of the unit and support fair deposit decisions (Government of British Columbia, 2025). A structured checklist gives you clear evidence that you met your cleaning obligations.


Kitchen Move-Out Checklist


Inspection-ready modern condo kitchen after professional move-out cleaning in Metro Vancouver – clean cabinets, gas cooktop, sink and wall oven.
Inspection-ready condo kitchen after move-out cleaning: cabinets, counters, backsplash, sink and stove left spotless for the final inspection.

Kitchens are one of the most scrutinised areas in move-out inspections. BC guidance and tenant education both highlight ovens, stovetops, fridges, and cupboards as core tenant cleaning responsibilities (BC Housing, 2016; Renting It Right, 2024).


1.1 Inside Oven & Stovetop


Tasks:


  • Remove oven racks; soak and scrub away burnt-on residue.

  • Clean the oven interior (walls, floor, and door glass) with appropriate cleaner.

  • Wipe the door seals, frame, and handle.

  • Degrease the stovetop:

    • Gas: burners, caps, grates, and drip pans.

    • Electric/glass: elements or glass surface and surrounding trim.

  • Clean control knobs and the front control panel.


Renting It Right specifically lists cleaning the stove top, elements, and oven as standard expectations when moving out (Renting It Right, 2024).


1.2 Range Hood Exterior


Tasks:


  • Wipe the range hood exterior, including the underside that’s visible above the stovetop.

  • Clean grease and splatter from the front and side surfaces.

  • Gently clean the light cover and nearby metal edges.


BC Housing’s checklist includes range areas and general kitchen surfaces among the items requiring “thorough and careful washing” (BC Housing, 2016).


1.3 Inside Fridge & Freezer


Tasks:


  • Empty all food and dispose of expired items.

  • Remove shelves, drawers, and bins; wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

  • Wipe interior walls, floor, and ceiling of the fridge and freezer compartments.

  • Clean door seals and folds carefully.

  • Wipe exterior surfaces and handles.


Renting It Right highlights defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator as a normal tenant duty at move-out (Renting It Right, 2024), and BC Housing requires the fridge to be cleaned “inside and out” (BC Housing, 2016).


1.4 Cabinets Inside & Outside


Tasks:


  • Completely empty all cabinets and drawers.

  • Remove any shelf liners that can be taken out without damage.

  • Wipe inside and outside – including shelves, side panels, and door backs.

  • Clean handles and door edges.


The BC Housing Moving Out Checklist explicitly requires “all cupboards inside and out” to be washed and “all shelf lining to be removed” (BC Housing, 2016).


1.5 Sink, Faucet, and Backsplash


Tasks:


  • Scrub the sink basin, including edges, drain, and strainer.

  • Remove limescale and stains around the faucet and drain.

  • Disinfect faucets and handles.

  • Degrease and wipe the backsplash, especially behind the stove, where oil and food splatter accumulate.


Health Canada notes that cleaning hard surfaces and controlling moisture helps improve indoor air quality and reduce mould and bacteria growth in kitchens and bathrooms (Health Canada, 2024; Health Canada, 2023).


Bathroom Move-Out Checklist


Bright modern bathroom after move-out cleaning in Metro Vancouver – clean bathtub, toilet, vanity and floor tiles.
Bathtub, toilet, vanity and floor thoroughly cleaned and sanitised as part of our Metro Vancouver move-out checklist.

Bathrooms combine moisture, soap, and body oils, making them prime areas for soap scum, mineral deposits, and mould. Canadian indoor air guidance recommends keeping bathrooms clean and dry to control mould and maintain good indoor air quality (Health Canada, 2023; CCOHS, 2021).


2.1 Toilet – Inside & Outside


Tasks:


  • Apply toilet cleaner under the rim and in the bowl; scrub thoroughly, including the waterline.

  • Clean the seat, lid, hinges, and the area behind the seat.

  • Wipe the tank, base, and the floor immediately around the toilet.


Neglected staining, urine marks, and mineral deposits are typically treated as tenant-responsible cleaning issues, not normal wear and tear (Government of British Columbia, 2025; TRAC, 2022).


2.2 Bathtub / Shower


Tasks:


  • Remove soap scum and body oil residue from tub and walls.

  • Scrub shower bases, corners, and around drains.

  • Clean grout lines and silicone edges, removing surface mould where possible.

  • Clean and polish fixtures (tap, spout, showerhead, handles).


Health Canada’s dampness and mould guidance recommends cleaning visible mould on non-porous surfaces with detergent and water, then drying the area thoroughly (Health Canada, 2023).


2.3 Mirrors


Tasks:


  • Clean mirrors with glass cleaner or microfibre cloth until streak-free.

  • Wipe frames and nearby walls to remove splashes and fingerprints.


Mirrors and glass are high-visibility items and are specifically mentioned in many landlord and housing checklists as part of overall bathroom cleanliness (BC Housing, 2016).


2.4 Cabinets Inside & Outside


Tasks:


  • Empty vanity drawers and cabinets completely.

  • Wipe interior shelves and drawer bases.

  • Clean door fronts, sides, and handles.


2.5 Sink, Faucet, and Backsplash


Tasks:


  • Remove toothpaste, soap residue, and stains from the basin.

  • Descale and polish the faucet and drain area.

  • Wipe backsplash tiles and adjacent walls.


BC Housing includes “all bathroom fixtures” and smooth floors in its list of areas requiring thorough cleaning at move-out (BC Housing, 2016).


Entire-Home Move-Out Checklist


TRAC’s “Repairs and Maintenance” guidance explains that tenants are responsible for reasonable maintenance of carpets, wiping or vacuuming baseboards and heaters to remove dust, and general cleanliness throughout the unit (TRAC, 2023).


3.1 Closets – Inside & Outside


Tasks:


  • Empty all closets completely.

  • Wipe shelves, hanging rods, and closet walls.

  • Vacuum closet floors, corners, and baseboards.

  • Wipe closet doors (inside and outside) and handles.


BC Housing and TRAC materials both treat inside closets and storage as part of the tenant’s cleaning responsibilities at move-out (BC Housing, 2016; TRAC, 2022).


3.2 Built-In Shelving


Tasks:


  • Dust shelving from top to bottom.

  • Wipe surfaces with a slightly damp cloth or microfibre cloth.

  • Clean trims, edges, and any built-in ledges.


Public health guidance recommends damp dusting instead of dry dusting to avoid re-suspending dust into the air, which is better for indoor air quality (Health Canada, 2024; Fraser Health, 2023).


3.3 Vacuuming All Floors


Empty bedroom with freshly cleaned laminate floors after move-out cleaning in a Metro Vancouver rental.
Vacuumed and mopped hard floors in an empty bedroom, ready for the landlord’s walk-through and the next move-in.

Tasks:


  • Vacuum all carpeted and hard floors.

  • Use crevice tools along baseboards, under heaters, and around built-ins.

  • Vacuum under radiators/baseboard heaters where accessible.


Health Canada’s indoor air quality advice suggests vacuuming regularly, ideally with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, to reduce dust, dust mites, and allergens (Health Canada, 2024; Government of Canada, 2011).


3.4 Mopping All Hard Floor Surfaces


Tasks:

  • After vacuuming or sweeping, mop tile and other smooth floors with a damp mop.

  • Avoid soaking wood or laminate; follow landlord or manufacturer instructions.

  • Pay extra attention to heavy traffic areas, entrance halls, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Federal indoor air guidance also recommends cleaning hard floors with a damp mop to efficiently remove particles and avoid sending dust back into the air (Health Canada, 2024; Government of Canada, 2011).


3.5 Carpet Cleaning (Shampoo / Steam Cleaning)


Steam cleaning or shampooing carpets at the end of a tenancy is explicitly mentioned in multiple BC sources:


  • The RTB Policy Guideline states that after a tenancy of one year, tenants will generally be held responsible for steam cleaning or shampooing carpets (Residential Tenancy Branch, 2025).

  • TRAC’s “Moving Out” page says that if your tenancy was at least one year, or you smoked or had pets, the carpets should be steam cleaned or shampooed (TRAC, 2022).


  • Renting It Right similarly notes that tenants are generally expected to steam clean or shampoo carpets in those situations (Renting It Right, 2024).


If your tenancy falls into any of these categories, not having carpets cleaned gives your landlord a strong case to deduct money from your deposit for carpet cleaning.


Optional Add-Ons: Windows, Blinds, Balcony, Carpet Shampooing


Some tasks are legally related to cleanliness but treated as add-ons in many cleaning services, especially when access and strata rules are involved.


4.1 Windows & Blinds


BC Housing’s checklist includes “all windows inside” and outside where accessible, plus light globes and shades (BC Housing, 2016).

Common optional items:

  • Interior window glass

  • Window tracks and sills

  • Blinds and window coverings (dusting and wiping)

Indoor air quality guidance emphasises controlling dust and dampness in these areas to reduce allergens and mould spores (Health Canada, 2024; Fraser Health, 2023).


4.2 Balcony (Within Strata Rules)


For ground-level patios or balconies that are under the tenant’s control, BC Housing expects them to be cleaned and cleared of debris at move-out (BC Housing, 2016).


Depending on strata rules, balcony cleaning might include:

  • Sweeping floors

  • Spot cleaning or scrubbing surface dirt with minimal water

  • Wiping railings and interior glass


Pressure washing is often restricted; many buildings prefer low-water methods that won’t disturb neighbours or cause leaks.


4.3 Carpet Shampooing as an Add-On


As noted above, carpet shampooing is often expected by law or policy in specific situations (tenancies ≥ 1 year, pets, smoking) and may be offered as an add-on service if not included in your base cleaning scope (Residential Tenancy Branch, 2025; TRAC, 2022; Renting It Right, 2024).


DIY vs. Professional Move-Out Cleaning in Metro Vancouver


Using this checklist, a careful tenant can do their own move-out cleaning. But many Metro Vancouver tenants choose professional help because:


  • There’s a tight gap between moving their belongings out and the landlord’s inspection.

  • Professional teams bring the right tools for heavy grease, soap scum, and carpet work.

  • Landlords and managers often expect “professional-standard” cleaning, especially in higher-value rentals or longer tenancies (TRAC, 2022; Renting It Right, 2024).


From a risk-management perspective, this checklist functions as:


  • A DIY roadmap for tenants who want to protect their deposit.

  • A scope template for landlords and property managers who want clear expectations.

  • A task list for cleaning companies to align with official BC guidance.


Photo case study: Move-Out Cleaning Projects

Summary


By following a structured, room-by-room checklist for the kitchen, bathrooms, and entire home, tenants can greatly reduce the risk of cleaning charges and damage deposit deductions.


This article pulls together guidance from BC Housing, the Residential Tenancy Branch, TRAC, and public health agencies into one practical framework you can actually follow on move-out day. Whether you choose to do everything yourself or hire a professional team, using a clear checklist makes it easier to coordinate your move, document the condition of the unit, and hand back the keys with confidence.


Need Move-out Cleaning Service? Check availability in Burnaby, Coquitlam, or Langley—or view our Metro Vancouver page for all nearby cities.


Legal/Policy disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice or a substitute for the Residential Tenancy Branch, strata bylaws, or professional counsel.


References


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