Best Cleaning Checklist for Apartments and Condos

It's Move out Day!
For the tenant, its time to Clean so you keep your damage deposit. For the Landlord, you want to ensure everything is perfect for your next guest or occupant! 

For both that means have the best cleaning checklist to ensure nothing is missed.

Clean the Unit
A tenant should check their agreement with their landlord to ensure they comply with any specific responsibilities for cleaning a unit  as set out in the lease. A tenant is expected to clean the inside of their rental unit – even if it wasn’t clean at the beginning of the tenancy.

Here are some high levels notes to keep in mind before diving into the list!

• Carpets should be steam cleaned or shampooed for tenancies longer than a year – tenants are responsible for any  carpet cleaning costs to remove stains.
• Appliances should be cleaned in the unit – including behind or under the fridge and stove, if on wheels and can be moved.
• Window coverings provided with the unit should be clean and in reasonable condition.
• Windows and the inside ledges, should be dusted and cleaned.
• Balcony doors, windows and ledges should be cleaned in and out.
• Walls should be washed so that there are no scuff marks or finger prints, unless the texture of the walls create a challenge.
• Nail holes do not need to be filled if the landlord’s rules for hanging and removing pictures have been followed – however, tenants are expected to pay to repair excessive nail holes or deliberate damage
• Baseboard heaters should be vacuumed or wiped down
• Fireplaces should be cleaned out, if they’ve been used
• Light bulbs and fuses should all be working

Now, a more detailed check list for the cleaners:

Appliances:
□ Oven - racks, walls, door inside and outside  - degrease and polished
□ Stove - tops and plates degrease and polish
□ Microwave - walls, plate, door inside and outside
□ Dish Washer - Run heavy cycle on high heat with dishwasher solution/white vinegar. 
□ Refrigerator - inside shelves, walls, polish handle and outside door
□ Washer - Run heavy and hot cycle - door outside door
□ Dryer - Remove lint from screen - clean door
□ Dryer’s secondary lint trap is clean (vacuum metal wire mesh and inside metal box) 
□ Behind and under appliances are clean

Kitchen & Bathroom:
□ All cupboards and closets (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom. etc.) are clean 
□ Surfaces cleaned and polished - counters, island and back splash
□ All bathroom fixtures (tub/shower, toilet, sink, vanity, mirror, towel bar, toilet paper holder, shower curtain rod) 
□ All kitchen and bathroom faucets, taps, spouts, and shower heads are clean and polished

Living Room & Bedrooms
□ Entertainment unit (where applicable) inside and outside shelves
□ All light fixtures and bathroom fan(s)  - dust removed
□ All light bulbs are working 
□ All light face plates (light and fan switches, power, phone, cable, and Internet outlets) 
□ Windows are clean both inside and outside (where accessible) 
□Floor boards, wall boards and baseboards
□ All blinds and pulleys
□ All doors, door frames, window sills
□ All walls are clean 
□ Check top corners for cobwebs, debris and dirt
□ Patio/balcony, fence/railing, and gate/divider (where applicable) are clean 
□ All floors are Swiffered first then mopped/washed

Amenities / Limited Common Areas:
□ Bikes are removed from site 
□ Storage lockers are empty and clean 
□ Parking stalls are empty and clean 
□ Report damages to landlord 
□ Return all keys and fobs to Landlord

All utilities service connections (Internet, Cable TV, Phone), and Insurance, must be terminated as of the move-out date, by tenant. Tenants, dont' forget to forward your mail!

​Hope this helps!
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