Documenting Your Move-Out Clean in Ontario
One of the best ways to protect your damage deposit in Ontario is thorough documentation of the unit's condition after your move-out clean — before the landlord's inspection. Here's how to do it properly.
What to Photograph
- Every room: Wide-angle shots from the doorway showing the overall state of the room — floors, walls, ceiling, and all surfaces visible
- Kitchen specifics: Inside the oven (open the door and photograph), the stovetop, inside the fridge (with door open), under the sink, and inside cabinet faces
- Bathroom specifics: Toilet (bowl, exterior, base), shower/tub, grout lines, sink and faucet, floor
- Appliances: Any appliances provided by the landlord — dishwasher interior, washer and dryer (if included)
- Entry and exit points: Front door, back door, any exterior storage
Timestamps Matter
Photograph with your phone's native camera — the metadata includes a timestamp that is difficult to fake and constitutes evidence at the LTB. Date and time should be after your professional clean is complete and before the landlord's inspection. The photo record then proves the unit's condition at the time of handoff.
Professional Invoice as Evidence
A professional cleaning invoice naming your address, date of service, and scope of cleaning is admissible evidence at an LTB hearing. If your landlord disputes the quality of your move-out clean, your professional invoice plus timestamped photos is a strong package for defending your deposit.