Maximizing Deposit Recovery When Moving Out in Ontario
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act uses the "last month's rent deposit" model rather than a separate damage deposit — but the practical effect for departing tenants is the same: if the unit is not in satisfactory condition, the landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to claim costs against the last month's rent. A professional move-out clean is the most reliable protection.
What Landlords Check Most Carefully
Based on Ontario LTB applications and cleaning experience across the province, these are the areas that generate the most disputes:
- Oven interior: Baked-on grease is the most common single-item finding. An oven that hasn't been cleaned in months or years is immediately visible and immediately disputed
- Fridge interior: Spills and stains that have dried and hardened
- Bathroom grout and caulking: Mould and staining in the shower — landlords argue it represents neglect
- Walls: Scuffs, marks, and holes from picture hanging. Normal wear is not chargeable, but excessive marks often are
- Carpet staining: Pet stains, wine, food
- Range hood and filters: Grease accumulation
The Priority Cleaning Order for Deposit Recovery
- Oven and range (highest risk area)
- Fridge inside and out
- Bathrooms — thorough grout and caulking attention
- Walls — spot clean all marks
- Floors throughout
- Windows inside
Document Everything
Take timestamped photos and video of every room after cleaning, before handing over keys. Ontario LTB proceedings rely heavily on photographic evidence — a clean unit documented in photos is a significantly stronger position than a clean unit with no documentation.