Ontario Condo Move-Out — Getting Your Full Deposit Back
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act sets out specific rules for the last month's rent deposit and how landlords can use it. Understanding these rules — and what condition is actually required at move-out — is the key to getting your deposit back in full.
What the RTA Says
- Last month's rent deposit: Ontario doesn't allow a separate "damage deposit" — the deposit is specifically last month's rent and can only be applied to rent, not cleaning or repairs (those require an LTB hearing to claim)
- Ordinary cleanliness standard: The RTA requires tenants to maintain the unit in "ordinary cleanliness" — not pristine, but clean by a reasonable person's standard
- Normal wear and tear: Landlords cannot deduct for or charge for normal wear — minor scuffs, light dust, usual floor wear. Only damage beyond normal wear justifies a claim
What Landlords Actually Check
- Oven interior — the single most common issue after move-out
- Fridge interior
- Bathroom grout and toilet
- Floor condition (pre-existing scratches documented at move-in)
- Walls — marks and holes beyond normal picture-hanging
The Clean You Need
A professional move-out clean covers every item on a landlord's checklist and documents the clean condition you left the unit in. The $250–$400 cost of a professional clean is usually worth it to protect a last month's rent deposit of $1,800–$2,500+ in Toronto condo markets.