Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Manitoba Renters

When you hand back the keys in Manitoba, your landlord compares the unit to its move-in condition. Anything beyond “reasonable wear and tear” can come out of your deposit. A thorough clean is the cheapest insurance you have against that — here’s exactly what to cover.

Before you start

Clean after the unit is empty. It’s far faster to wipe a bare cupboard than to clean around boxes, and you won’t miss the spots furniture was hiding. Do it in this order: top to bottom, back to front, dry tasks before wet ones. Open a window — Winnipeg humidity and cleaning fumes don’t mix well in a closed suite.

Kitchen

The kitchen is where deposits live and die. Landlords look here first.

• Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers
• Stovetop, inside the oven, and under the drip pans
• Inside the fridge and freezer — defrost it the night before
• Range hood and filter (grease traps dust)
• Sink, faucet, and backsplash
• Countertops and any small appliance left behind

Bathrooms

• Toilet, inside and out, including the base
• Tub, shower, glass, and all tile — clear soap scum and any mildew
• Sink, faucet, mirror, and cabinet
• Exhaust fan cover (it collects grey dust)

Living areas and bedrooms

• Walls and baseboards — wipe scuffs; spot-clean marks
• Light switches, outlet covers, and door handles
• Inside closets, including the shelf and rail
• Window interiors, sills, and tracks
• Floors vacuumed and washed; carpets vacuumed

Easy-to-forget spots that cost deposits

Landlords notice the details you stopped seeing months ago.

• Behind and under the fridge and stove
• Blinds and curtain rods
• The top of door frames and the fridge
• Patio or balcony floor, if you have one
• Light fixtures and ceiling fan blades

Should you do it yourself or hire it out?

If you have a day and the unit is small, DIY is realistic. If you’re mid-move, short on time, or worried a landlord will nitpick, a professional move-out clean is usually cheaper than the deposit you’re protecting. Our move-out clean starts at $155 and includes a deposit-back guarantee — if your landlord flags anything we covered, we come back and finish it free. The same empty-unit clean also works for move-in day at the place you’re heading to.

For the full picture on Manitoba deposit rules, see our guide on how to get your damage deposit back.