Deposit Return Cleaning in Calgary: What Alberta Tenants Need Done Before the Inspection
To get your security deposit back in Calgary, leave the rental as clean as it was on your move-in inspection report, minus normal wear and tear, and be present for the move-out inspection. Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act requires the landlord to return the deposit, or provide a statement of account explaining any deductions, within 10 days after you give up possession. Cleaning is one of the most common reasons for deductions, and it is also the easiest one to prevent.
With many leases ending on October 31 and November 30, here is how the rules work and what to clean before you hand back the keys.
How deposits work in Alberta
The main rules come from the Residential Tenancies Act and the province's guidance for landlords and tenants:
- The deposit is capped at one month's rent.
- Inspection reports are mandatory. Landlord and tenant must inspect the unit within one week before or after the tenant takes possession, and again within one week before or after the tenant gives it up. The landlord must give the tenant a copy of each report.
- No proper report, no damage deduction. If the landlord did not complete the move-in and move-out inspection reports correctly, they generally cannot deduct for damage from the deposit.
- 10 days to return it. Within 10 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out, the landlord must return the deposit in full or provide a statement of account showing what was deducted and why. If the final amount cannot be determined yet, an estimated statement and partial refund are allowed.
- Interest is owed on the deposit at the rate set by the province.
- Disputes can go to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) or the courts.
The practical takeaway: your move-in inspection report is the benchmark. Find your copy before you start cleaning.
What counts as normal wear and tear
Landlords cannot charge for ordinary aging of the unit. Typical examples of wear and tear include minor scuffs on walls, light wear in carpet traffic areas, faded paint or blinds, and small nail holes from hanging pictures (depending on the lease).
What landlords can usually charge for is the cost of bringing a unit back to the condition it was in at move-in, beyond that ordinary aging. Dirty appliances, grease on the range hood, soap scum, a fridge left with food in it, and garbage left behind fall into that category. So does damage like burns, large holes or pet stains.
The move-out cleaning checklist
Here is what landlords and property managers in Calgary commonly look at during the walk-through.
Kitchen
- Oven inside, including racks, the door glass and the drawer under it
- Stovetop, burner pans or glass top, and knobs
- Range hood and its filter, which collects a lot of grease
- Fridge and freezer: emptied, shelves washed, door seals wiped, and the unit left running or as the lease specifies
- Dishwasher interior and filter
- Cabinets and drawers, inside and out
- Sink, faucet and backsplash
Bathrooms
- Toilet, inside and out, including the base
- Tub and shower walls, glass doors and tracks
- Grout and caulking cleaned (not just rinsed)
- Vanity, drawers, mirror, light fixture
- Exhaust fan cover
All rooms
- Baseboards and door frames
- Light switches, outlet covers and door handles
- Walls spot-cleaned for marks (test first so you do not damage the paint)
- Windows: sills and tracks, interior glass
- Closets: shelves, rods, floors
- Blinds dusted or wiped
- Floors vacuumed and washed, with attention to edges and corners
- Carpets: check your lease. Some Alberta leases require professional carpet cleaning at move-out, and whether that clause applies should be confirmed against the lease and the move-in report.
Outside the unit
- Balcony swept
- Parking stall cleared of oil stains and items
- Storage locker emptied
Calgary-specific things to watch
Calgary's climate brings a few extra cleaning issues worth planning around:
- Gravel and grit. The city spreads gravel and de-icer on roads in winter, and it gets tracked into entries and along carpet edges. Vacuum the entry thoroughly before the inspection.
- Dust. Dry air and Chinook winds mean fine dust collects quickly on sills, blinds and baseboards, even in a unit that was cleaned a week earlier. Do the clean as close to the inspection as possible.
- Furnace and vents. Wipe vent covers and returns. Furnace filter changes depend on your lease; check whether it is your responsibility.
- Basement suites. Many Calgary rentals are basement suites with smaller windows and less airflow. Look for and clean any mildew on window wells, sills and bathroom ceilings.
Timing it right
- Finish moving everything out first.
- Clean the day before or the morning of the inspection.
- Take dated photos and video of every room after the clean, including inside appliances.
- Attend the move-out inspection and compare the unit to the move-in report together.
- Sign the report only if you agree with it, or write your disagreement on it.
- Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing so the deposit or statement can reach you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a landlord in Alberta have to return a security deposit?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the landlord has 10 days after the tenant gives up possession to return the deposit or provide a statement of account listing deductions. If the final cost is not yet known, the landlord can provide an estimated statement and partial refund within those 10 days.
Can a landlord in Calgary keep my deposit for cleaning?
A landlord can deduct the reasonable cost of cleaning needed to return the unit to its move-in condition, beyond normal wear and tear. Deductions for damage generally require a properly completed move-in and move-out inspection report. Keep your copies and take photos after your final clean.
Do I have to get carpets professionally cleaned when I move out in Alberta?
It depends on your lease. Some leases include a professional carpet cleaning clause. Check the lease and your move-in inspection report, which should show the carpet condition when you moved in.
What if I disagree with deductions from my deposit in Alberta?
You can first raise it with the landlord in writing. If that does not resolve it, you can apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) or to court. Your inspection reports and dated photos are the most important evidence.
Book your move-out clean
Shiftclair handles inspection-focused move-out cleans in Calgary and Edmonton. Send the unit type, bedrooms, bathrooms and your inspection date through the quote form, and we follow up with a written quote.