Under the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), tenants are only required to leave the unit in a state of “ordinary cleanliness.” Any clause in your lease forcing you to hire professional steam cleaners or a maid service upon move-out is void and legally unenforceable.
Moving out of an apartment is exhausting, and the last thing you want is a legal battle over a vacuumed carpet. 🧹 If you rent in Toronto, Hamilton, or London, you may have noticed a strict clause in your lease demanding that you present a receipt from a professional cleaning company when you return the keys. Landlords often threaten to withhold deposits or send you a hefty invoice if you refuse to comply.
It is important to know that Ontario law heavily protects tenants from these predatory move-out demands. The standard is “ordinary cleanliness,” not “hotel-level perfection.” Even if you willingly signed a lease agreeing to hire a $300 CAD professional steam cleaning service, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) considers that specific clause null and void. This guide explains how to properly clean your unit and protect yourself from illegal charges.
Step-by-Step Process for Moving Out in Ontario
To avoid stressful disputes and ensure you leave your rental unit legally compliant, you must follow the correct procedures. 📍 Here is how to handle the move-out process and defend against illegal cleaning fees.
Step 1: Review Your Ontario Standard Lease
Take a look at the appendix of your lease agreement. If you spot a clause stating “Tenant must professionally steam clean carpets” or “Tenant agrees to pay a $200 cleaning fee upon exit,” you can breathe easy knowing Section 4 of the RTA makes these terms void. You cannot contract out of the RTA. You are only required to meet the legal standard of ordinary cleanliness.
Step 2: Clean the Unit to ‘Ordinary Cleanliness’
You cannot leave the apartment trashed. 🗑 You must remove all your personal belongings and garbage. You should sweep and mop the floors, wipe down the kitchen counters, clean the inside of the fridge and oven, and scrub the bathroom fixtures. You do not need to hire a maid, steam clean the carpets, or repaint the walls, as minor scuffs are considered normal wear and tear.
Step 3: Document the Move-Out Condition
The best defence against a rogue landlord is irrefutable evidence. Once the unit is empty and cleaned, take dozens of well-lit, date-stamped photos and videos of every room, appliance, and floor surface. If the landlord later claims you left the place filthy and tries to sue you for professional cleaning, these photos will be your absolute shield at the LTB.
Step 4: Refuse to Pay Illegal Cleaning Invoices
If the landlord emails you an invoice for $400 CAD for a “deep clean” after you move out, do not pay it. 📧 Reply politely stating: “I left the unit in a state of ordinary cleanliness as required by Section 33 of the Residential Tenancies Act. Clauses requiring professional cleaning are void in Ontario. I will not be paying this invoice.”
Step 5: Defend Yourself at the LTB (If Necessary)
If the landlord is furious, they may file an L10 Application with the Landlord and Tenant Board to sue you for the cleaning costs. Do not ignore the notice of hearing. Attend the virtual hearing, present your date-stamped photos showing the unit was broom-swept and wiped down, and the adjudicator will almost certainly dismiss the landlord’s claim.
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Meeting the legal standard of cleanliness is highly affordable. 💰 Here are the typical costs to expect in CAD:
- DIY Cleaning: Leaving the unit in ordinary cleanliness usually only costs $15 to $30 CAD in standard household cleaning supplies.
- LTB Defence: If the landlord files an L10 Application against you, it costs them $201 CAD to file. As the tenant defending yourself, it costs you $0 CAD to attend the hearing.
- Illegal Deposits: If the landlord illegally kept your key deposit to pay for cleaning, you can file a T1 Application to get it back, which costs $53 CAD (usually reimbursed if you win).
How Long Does the Process Take?
Your legal obligation ends the moment you return the keys on your final day of tenancy. If the landlord chooses to pursue you for cleaning fees at the LTB, you will receive a notice of hearing in the mail. Due to current provincial backlogs as of May 2026, it typically takes 6 to 10 months for the LTB to schedule an L10 hearing. Your liability does not extend during this waiting period.
Ordinary Cleanliness vs. Excessive Damage
Landlords often confuse “dirty” with “damaged.” ♻ Here is how Ontario adjudicators generally view the difference.
| Condition of the Unit | Legal Classification | Who is Responsible? |
|---|---|---|
| Dusty baseboards, scuffed paint | Normal wear and tear | Landlord |
| Floors swept, fridge wiped out | Ordinary cleanliness | Tenant has met their duty |
| Garbage left behind, pet feces on floor | Failure to meet ordinary cleanliness | Tenant (Landlord can sue for junk removal) |
| Massive red wine stain on white carpet | Undue damage | Tenant (Can be sued for carpet replacement) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the landlord keep my Last Month’s Rent for cleaning?
Absolutely not. Under the RTA, the Last Month’s Rent (LMR) deposit can strictly only be used to pay for your final month of rent. It is illegal for a landlord to use it as a damage or cleaning deposit.
What if I have a pet? Do I have to steam clean then?
No. Even if you have a dog or a cat, the standard remains “ordinary cleanliness.” Unless your pet caused actual physical damage to the flooring (like tearing the carpet or deep urine stains), you cannot be forced to pay for preventative steam cleaning.
Can a landlord charge a mandatory move-out fee?
No. Any mandatory administrative fee, move-out fee, or “turnover fee” drafted into your lease is completely illegal in Ontario. You are only responsible for paying your lawful rent.
What happens if I leave unwanted furniture behind?
Leaving large pieces of garbage or furniture behind violates the rule of ordinary cleanliness. The landlord will likely have to hire a junk removal service, and they have the legal right to file an L10 Application to sue you for the exact cost of that removal.
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