Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning in Pointe-Claire and the West Island: A Practical Guide
A move-in or move-out clean in Pointe-Claire should cover the whole home empty: inside the oven, fridge and every cabinet, bathrooms scrubbed down to the grout, baseboards, light switches, windows sills and tracks, and floors cleaned after everything is out. Québec has no security deposits, so for tenants the goal is returning the unit in the condition it was received, and for sellers and buyers it is a clean handover on closing day. Book the clean for after the movers leave, not before.
The West Island has its own mix of housing and move timelines, so here is what matters locally.
How moves work on the West Island
Many people picture Québec moving day on July 1, and plenty of leases still end then. But Pointe-Claire, Dorval, Kirkland and Beaconsfield have a high share of owner-occupied houses, and those sell and close year-round. Fall is a common time for closings, as families try to settle before winter and the school term.
That means move-out and move-in cleaning here is often tied to:
- A house sale, where the seller wants to leave the property clean for the buyer, or the buyer wants a deep clean before unpacking.
- A condo turnover in one of the buildings along Lakeshore or near Fairview, where the building may have rules about elevator booking and moving hours.
- A rental lease ending, in which case Québec's Civil Code rules apply.
- A pre-listing clean, done before photos and showings.
Québec rental rules in plain terms
If you are a tenant or landlord, a couple of points about Québec law matter:
- No security deposits. Under article 1904 of the Civil Code of Québec, a landlord cannot require any advance payment other than the first month's rent. There is no damage deposit to "get back," which is different from Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia.
- Return the unit in the condition received. Article 1890 says the tenant must return the dwelling in the condition it was received, except for changes from aging, fair wear and tear, or superior force.
- Disputes go to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). A landlord who believes a unit was left dirty or damaged can file a claim there.
So while there is no deposit on the line, leaving a unit filthy can still lead to a claim. A thorough clean, plus dated photos of each room when you leave, is the simplest protection. More detail is on the TAL website.
What the clean should include
A move-out clean is different from a regular house cleaning visit because the home is empty and every surface is visible. A solid checklist covers:
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of the oven, including racks and the drawer underneath
- Inside the fridge and freezer, with shelves and drawers removed and washed
- Inside every cabinet and drawer
- Range hood and filter
- Backsplash, counters, sink and faucet
- Behind and under the stove and fridge where they can be safely moved
Bathrooms
- Toilet, including the base and behind it
- Tub and shower, with soap scum and grout addressed
- Vanity inside and out, mirror, fixtures
- Exhaust fan cover
Throughout
- Baseboards, door frames, doors and handles
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Window sills and tracks; interior glass if agreed
- Closets, including shelves and rods
- Floors vacuumed and washed, edges included
- Electric baseboard heaters dusted on the outside, with the heat off
Often extra
- Walls washed (as opposed to spot-cleaned)
- Basement storage rooms and laundry rooms
- Garage sweep
- Balcony or patio
West Island bungalows and split-levels often have finished basements with their own bathroom and laundry area. Mention it when you ask for a quote, because it can add significant time.
Timing it around the move
- Schedule after the movers. Cleaning a home that still has furniture in it leaves the hardest areas untouched.
- Leave a buffer. If your closing or lease end is noon, a morning clean is tight. The day before, after the truck leaves, is often better.
- Keep the utilities on. Hot water and lights are needed for the clean.
- Book elevators for condos. Some buildings require reservations for contractors as well as movers.
- Plan for weather. From November on, salt and slush get tracked in by movers. Ask that the clean happen after the last load, and set out a mat.
For buyers: the move-in clean
Even when a seller leaves a home in good shape, many buyers want their own clean before unpacking: inside cabinets where dishes will go, the fridge, bathrooms. It is much easier to do before boxes arrive. If your closing date and moving day are a few days apart, that gap is the ideal window.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords in Québec take a security deposit?
No. Article 1904 of the Civil Code of Québec prohibits landlords from requiring any advance payment other than the first month's rent, so damage deposits are not allowed. Tenants must still return the unit in the condition received, allowing for normal wear and tear.
How long does a move-out cleaning take?
It depends on the size of the home, the number of bathrooms, whether the basement is included and the current condition. An empty condo takes much less time than a family house with a finished basement. Ask for a written quote based on your unit's details.
Should I clean before or after the movers come?
After. Once furniture and boxes are out, the cleaner can reach floors, baseboards, closets and the spaces behind appliances. Cleaning before the movers usually means redoing the floors anyway.
What does a move-in cleaning include?
A move-in clean covers the inside of cabinets and drawers, the fridge and oven, bathrooms, floors and frequently touched surfaces like switches and handles. It is meant to give you a clean starting point before you unpack.
Request a quote
Moving in or out of a home in Pointe-Claire or nearby Dorval? Send the details through the Shiftclair quote form: unit type, bedrooms and bathrooms, basement, and your move date. We follow up with a written quote based on your home.