Moving out in Quebec comes with a unique twist: a large share of leases end on July 1, and the next tenant is often waiting with a truck the same day. This checklist walks through a complete move-out clean, room by room, with a timeline so you’re not scrubbing the oven at 7 a.m. while the new tenants are parking outside.
Why move-out cleaning matters in Quebec
Under Quebec’s Civil Code, a tenant must return the dwelling in the condition it was received, apart from normal wear and tear (art. 1890). And because landlords in Quebec generally can’t require a security deposit, the goal of a move-out clean isn’t to get money back. It’s to leave on good terms, avoid disputes, and hand the next tenant a place you’d want to walk into. (General information, not legal advice.)
Timeline for a July 1 move
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| April–May | Book movers and your move-out cleaning. Late-June and early-July dates go first. |
| Early June | Declutter. Donate, sell or throw out what you won’t move. Less stuff = faster move and faster clean. |
| Mid-June | Deep-clean rooms you use less (storage closet, spare room, balcony door tracks). |
| Last week of June | Empty and clean the fridge and freezer (unplug, defrost, dry). Pack the kitchen. |
| Day before / morning of | Final clean of the empty unit: cabinets, closets, floors, bathroom. |
| July 1 | Walk through with your landlord or the new tenant if possible. Take photos of each room. |
Room-by-room move-out checklist
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe inside every cabinet and drawer, including shelf corners
- Degrease cabinet faces, handles and the range hood
- Clean inside the oven, racks and drawer
- Empty, defrost and clean the fridge and freezer; leave the door ajar if it’s unplugged
- Pull out the stove and fridge (if movable) and clean behind and under them
- Descale the sink and faucet
- Wipe counters, backsplash and grout
Bathroom
- Descale the shower, tub, glass door and fixtures
- Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Empty and wipe the vanity and medicine cabinet
- Clean the mirror, sink and faucet
- Scrub grout and tile; dust the fan cover
Bedrooms and living areas
- Empty and wipe inside closets: shelves, rods and floor
- Wipe walls where furniture leaned, and remove scuffs
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, doors and light switches
- Dust vents, ceiling corners and light fixtures
- Clean interior windows: glass, sills and tracks
- Remove nails, hooks and tape (ask your landlord how they want small holes handled)
Floors (last)
- Vacuum everywhere, including edges and inside closets
- Wash hard floors, working from the back of the unit toward the door
Don’t forget
- Balcony and storage locker: empty them (they’re easy to forget)
- Garbage and recycling: take everything out, don’t leave bags in the unit
- Keys, fobs and garage remotes: put them together for the handover
Tips for a same-day handover
- Work top to bottom, back to front. Dust falls, so do high surfaces first and floors last, finishing at the door.
- Keep a cleaning kit out of the boxes: cloths, all-purpose cleaner, degreaser, bathroom cleaner, a scrub brush, a vacuum and a mop.
- Do the slow jobs early. The oven and fridge take the longest and can be done a few days before.
- Take dated photos of every room once it’s clean.
Moving in? Clean before you unpack
If you’re the one arriving, the best time to clean your new place is before your boxes come in. Cabinets, drawers and closets are empty, and you can get behind appliances. A move-in clean is the same checklist in reverse.
Rather hand it off?
Axiom’s move-in and move-out cleaning covers the indoor cleaning on this list: inside cabinets, drawers and closets, behind movable appliances, walls and baseboards, bathrooms, interior windows and floors. Inside the oven, fridge and microwave can be added on. Emptying the unit, taking out garbage, patching walls and outdoor areas like balconies stay with you. A team of 2 to 3 cleaners arrives fully equipped, and you get a quote within 24 hours. Book early for July 1. Moving after a renovation? See the post-renovation cleaning checklist.
En français : liste de vérification pour le ménage de fin de bail · More: Cleaning Guides
Get your quote online, or call (438) 814-9124 (Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).