Move-Out Cleaning & Your Security Deposit in Ontario
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) governs security deposits and move-out cleaning obligations. Understanding the rules protects tenants from improper deductions and gives landlords clarity on what they can and cannot charge at the end of a tenancy.
What Ontario Law Says About Security Deposits
Under the Ontario RTA, landlords may collect only a last month's rent deposit — they are prohibited from collecting a general damage or security deposit in addition to last month's rent. This is a critically important protection that many Ontario tenants are unaware of: a landlord cannot legally hold a deposit to cover cleaning costs at the end of a tenancy, because such a deposit is not permitted under the RTA.
Move-Out Cleaning Obligations
Despite not being able to hold a traditional security deposit, landlords in Ontario can pursue compensation through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for cleaning costs if a unit is left in a condition that is significantly below the standard in which it was provided. The operative standard is "reasonable wear and tear" — the tenant's obligation is to return the unit in the same general condition as they received it, minus normal wear from regular use. A professional move-out clean is the strongest protection a tenant can have: it produces a verifiably clean unit and provides a documented record of the cleaning.
Professional Move-Out Cleaning in Ontario
Professional move-out cleaning in Ontario typically costs $228–$498 for apartments and homes, includes all surfaces and appliances, and is the most effective way to satisfy landlord cleanliness expectations and protect against LTB claims. Ontario HST (13%) applies.