You got the keys to your new apartment. Boxes are stacked. The movers are scheduled.
Before anything else: deep clean the place.
It doesn’t matter if the previous tenant “cleaned before leaving.” It doesn’t matter if the landlord says it’s ready. Every apartment in Montreal needs a proper move-in deep cleaning before you unpack. Here’s why, and here’s exactly what to clean.
Why You Should Deep Clean Before Moving In (Not After)
Cleaning an empty apartment takes half the time and produces twice the result compared to cleaning around furniture and boxes. You can reach every baseboard, get inside every closet, and actually see what you’re working with.
Once your furniture is in place, some of those surfaces won’t be accessible for months. Whatever the previous tenant left behind (dust, grime, hair, cooking residue) gets sealed underneath your couch and bed frame.
Under Quebec law, landlords are required to deliver a dwelling in clean, habitable condition (Educaloi: Responsibilities of Landlords). But a landlord’s definition of “clean” and yours are probably different. A walk-through wipe-down doesn’t cover the inside of kitchen cabinets, the grime behind the stove, or the mildew buildup in bathroom grout.
The Full Move-In Deep Cleaning Checklist
Kitchen
- Wipe inside all cabinets and drawers. Remove shelf liners if present (they trap crumbs and moisture). Clean and dry before putting anything away.
- Degrease the stovetop, range hood, and hood filters. Previous tenants rarely deep clean these, and grease builds up fast.
- Clean the inside of the oven. If the oven hasn’t been cleaned in months, you’ll smell it the first time you turn it on.
- Clean inside the fridge and freezer. Remove all shelves and drawers, wash them individually, wipe the interior.
- Clean the sink, faucet, and backsplash. Descale the faucet if there’s hard water buildup.
- Pull out the stove and fridge (if possible) and clean underneath. This is where you find the worst stuff.
- Wipe all countertops and disinfect.
Bathroom(s)
- Scrub the shower/tub, tiles, and grout. Mildew and soap scum don’t disappear with a surface wipe. You need to actually scrub.
- Clean and disinfect the toilet (inside the bowl, outside, behind the base, the seat hinges).
- Clean the vanity, sink, mirror, and faucet.
- Wipe inside bathroom cabinets and drawers.
- Remove hard water stains from fixtures.
- Sweep and mop the floor, including behind the toilet.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Clean inside all closets (shelves, rods, floors). Closets collect dust and sometimes mold if air circulation is poor.
- Wipe all baseboards. This is the single best indicator of how well a space has been maintained. Dirty baseboards mean the previous cleaning was surface-level only.
- Dust light fixtures, ceiling fans (if present), and vents.
- Clean doors, door frames, handles, and light switches. These are high-touch surfaces that accumulate grime.
- Vacuum all floors and along baseboards. Mop hard floors.
General (Whole Apartment)
- Check for and remove cobwebs from ceiling corners.
- Wipe all window sills and tracks.
- Disinfect high-touch points: door handles, light switches, thermostat, intercom.
- If there’s a washer/dryer in-unit, run an empty cycle with cleaning solution to clear residue.
If your apartment was recently renovated before you moved in, you may also need post-renovation cleaning to deal with construction dust, which is a different beast entirely.
DIY vs. Professional Move-In Cleaning: The Honest Comparison
You can do all of this yourself. It’s not complicated. But it is time-consuming.
For a standard Montreal 4 1/2 apartment, expect to spend 6 to 10 hours doing a proper move-in deep clean. That’s a full day, plus supplies. If you’re moving into a larger space (3+ bedrooms), double it.
Professional move-in/move-out cleaning takes 4 to 5 hours for one trained cleaner with the right equipment. The results are more consistent because our cleaners follow a comprehensive checklist and know what to look for.
For a bigger picture of what’s involved in a Montreal move, check out our Montreal moving guide.
What Move-In Deep Cleaning Costs in Montreal
At The Clean Panther, move-in deep cleaning starts with a $50 base service fee plus room-by-room pricing. A typical 4 1/2 apartment (kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, living room) runs roughly $370 to $450 depending on add-ons like inside fridge, inside oven, or interior windows.
Move-in/out cleans currently include free kitchen and bathroom cabinet cleaning ($80+ value).
Book Your Move-In Clean
The Clean Panther is Montreal’s leading move-in/move-out cleaning service. We’ve completed over 1,000 cleanings across the Greater Montreal Area.
Book your move-in clean online in under 5 minutes. The best time to book: as soon as you get your keys, before you move anything in.
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FAQ: Move-In Cleaning in Montreal
Am I legally required to clean before moving out in Quebec?
Quebec’s Civil Code requires tenants to maintain the dwelling in clean condition and return it in the same state, minus normal wear and tear (Tribunal administratif du logement). A professional move-out clean helps meet this obligation.
Does the apartment need to be empty for move-in cleaning?
For the best results, yes. An empty unit lets us reach baseboards, closet floors, and surfaces behind where furniture will go. We can clean around boxes if needed, but an empty space takes less time and the result is better.
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as you have your move-in date. We’re typically booked 3 to 7 days out, and availability tightens around July 1 (Quebec moving day) and month-end periods.
Do you do both move-in and move-out cleans?
Yes. Many clients book us for both: the move-out clean at their old place and the move-in clean at the new one. We can often schedule both on the same day or consecutive days.
Can my landlord deduct cleaning from my deposit?
Quebec does not allow security deposits (Educaloi: Tenant Responsibilities). However, landlords can file a claim with the TAL for damages beyond normal wear and tear, which can include cleaning costs if the unit was left in poor condition.