 *Photo: Unsplash*
Moving into a new Montreal apartment — especially around July 1st — means accepting keys to a space you have never fully inspected. Even if the previous tenant was tidy, the areas that accumulate grime between occupants are often invisible until you are about to place furniture: the inside of kitchen cabinets, bathroom grout lines, the dust behind cast-iron radiators, and the exterior spiral staircase landing. Cleaning before you unpack takes just a few hours and prevents you from trapping dirt under rugs, behind appliances, and inside closets for the next several years.
This room-by-room checklist covers every area to address in a Montreal apartment before the moving truck arrives — or at minimum before you unpack boxes.
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What Quebec Law Says About Move-In Condition
Under Quebec's residential tenancy system, a landlord is legally required to deliver the unit in a clean, habitable condition at the start of a new lease. If the unit is visibly dirty when you receive the keys, you can:
- Document it on the condition report (état de l'immeuble) — photograph every dirty surface and send it to your landlord in writing within three days of move-in
- Request cleaning be completed before you move in, or negotiate a written rent reduction
- File a complaint at the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) if the landlord refuses
In practice, many Quebec landlords rely on a quick surface clean between tenants — especially after a July 1st turnover when they have two or three days at most before the new lease begins. The deeper cleaning (inside cabinets, behind appliances, bathroom caulking, grout lines) often does not happen. That is why doing your own move-in clean — or hiring a professional — is worth it regardless of the unit's apparent condition.
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Priority Cleaning Order
Clean in this sequence to avoid re-contaminating areas you have already addressed:
1. High surfaces first — ceiling fans, light fixtures, tops of cabinets, crown moulding 2. Walls and windows 3. Insides of cabinets, closets, and appliances 4. Bathroom fixtures and tile surfaces 5. Kitchen surfaces, backsplash, and sink 6. Floors last — hardwood, tile, or carpet
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Kitchen Checklist
The kitchen accumulates cooking residues that are nearly invisible until you clean under strong lighting or open cabinet doors.
Appliances: - [ ] Inside oven: remove racks, soak in degreaser, scrub baked-on grease from walls and floor - [ ] Under and behind the refrigerator: pull the fridge forward to address accumulated dust and grease beneath - [ ] Inside refrigerator and freezer: all drawers, door seals, and vegetable crisper - [ ] Microwave interior and turntable - [ ] Dishwasher: wipe the door seal and run an empty cycle with a cleaning tablet - [ ] Range hood filter: soak in hot soapy water, scrub grease residue
Surfaces and storage: - [ ] Cabinet interiors — wipe shelves with all-purpose cleaner before placing dishes or pantry items - [ ] Backsplash grout (cooking splatter and mildew are common) - [ ] Under-sink cabinet (check for moisture, previous tenant's cleaning supplies, or pest droppings) - [ ] Sink basin and faucet aerator (limescale buildup is common with Montreal's mineral-heavy tap water)
Montreal note: Pre-war apartments in the Plateau, Rosemont, Villeray, and Hochelaga often have original cast-iron sinks and vintage tile countertops. Avoid abrasive cleaners on cast iron — pH-neutral dish soap and a non-scratch pad are the correct approach.
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Bathroom Checklist
- [ ] Toilet base and behind the tank (the most frequently missed areas at any professional inspection)
- [ ] Under the toilet rim
- [ ] Shower and tub grout and caulking (mildew can be invisible in low light — check under bright lighting)
- [ ] Showerhead (remove and soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes to clear limescale)
- [ ] Medicine cabinet shelves and interior
- [ ] Vanity cabinet under the sink (check for previous tenant's products and any moisture damage)
- [ ] Exhaust fan cover (accumulated dust and moisture from the previous occupancy)
- [ ] Tile walls and floor grout
Montreal note: Older apartment buildings in NDG, Côte-des-Neiges, and Ahuntsic often have original ceramic tile from the 1950s–1970s. Avoid bleach-based cleaners on old grout — a baking soda paste lifts stains without eroding the grout sealant that holds the tile in place.
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Bedroom and Living Area Checklist
- [ ] Closet interiors: shelves, hanging rod, corners, and floor
- [ ] Window sills and tracks (accumulated grit, dead insects, and previous-season debris)
- [ ] Baseboards and heat registers (dust accumulates heavily in unoccupied units)
- [ ] Light switch plates and outlet covers
- [ ] Hardwood floors: sweep thoroughly, then clean with a pH-neutral wood-floor cleaner before placing any rugs or furniture
Montreal hardwood floor note: A large proportion of Montreal apartments — especially pre-1970 buildings in the Plateau, Mile End, Outremont, Côte-des-Neiges, and TMR — have original oil-finish or polyurethane-finish hardwood. Never use steam mops or vinegar solutions on original hardwood floors. Use a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner (such as Bona Hardwood) applied with a well-wrung microfibre mop. This step is especially critical before placing rugs: grit trapped under area rugs scratches the finish from below, causing permanent damage within weeks. See our [Côte-des-Neiges guide](/en/blog/cleaning-services-cote-des-neiges-montreal-guide) and [Plateau guide](/en/blog/cleaning-services-plateau-mont-royal-montreal-guide) for neighbourhood-specific floor context.
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Montreal-Specific Concerns
Pre-war plumbing: Montreal apartment buildings from the 1900s–1940s may have lead connections at the main supply. If you are in an older building, run cold water from the kitchen tap for two to three minutes before drinking on move-in day. A certified lead-reducing filter (NSF/ANSI 53) is a reasonable purchase for pre-war units.
Exterior iron staircases: Montreal's iconic spiral and straight exterior staircases accumulate road salt (tracked from the street), rust flakes, and organic debris from the previous winter. Sweep and wash with a mild degreaser before moving boxes — road salt damages hardwood floors immediately on contact and is particularly problematic in buildings in [Rosemont](/en/blog/cleaning-services-rosemont-montreal-guide), [Villeray](/en/blog/cleaning-services-villeray-montreal-guide), and [Mile End](/en/blog/cleaning-services-mile-end-montreal-guide).
Shared basement laundry rooms: In a triplex or duplex, the basement laundry room is often not cleaned between tenant changes. Wipe down machines, check behind the dryer for lint buildup (a fire hazard), and clean the floor drains if accessible.
Heating registers: Montreal's long heating season means forced-air registers and electric baseboard heaters collect significant dust during winter. Vacuum registers before turning on the heat — this prevents the first heating cycle from blowing accumulated dust throughout the unit.
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When to Book: Before Boxes Arrive or After?
Before move-in (ideal): A professional move-in clean done the day before your moving truck arrives is the most efficient approach. The unit is completely empty, every surface is accessible, and you avoid cleaning around stacked boxes. Book the cleaning for the same morning you collect the keys when possible.
During or after move-in: If boxes have already arrived, prioritize kitchen and bathrooms before unpacking those items. Clean floors before placing rugs or furniture. Wipe closet interiors before hanging clothes.
July 1st reality: On Montreal's moving day, professional cleaners and movers are fully booked by early June. If you are moving July 1st, book your move-in clean in mid-May at the latest. Last-minute availability comes at a 20–35% premium. For full July 1st logistics, see our [Montreal Moving Day Guide](/en/blog/1er-juillet-moving-day-montreal-cleaning-guide).
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2026 Pricing for Move-In Cleaning in Montreal
| Unit Size | Move-In Standard Clean | Move-In Deep Clean | |---|---|---| | Studio / 3½ | $130–$180 | $180–$250 | | 1-bedroom / 4½ | $160–$220 | $220–$310 | | 2-bedroom / 5½ | $200–$270 | $270–$380 | | 3-bedroom / 6½ | $250–$340 | $340–$480 |
*Prices reflect Greater Montreal market ranges (June 2026). July 1st peak pricing adds 20–35%. All prices assume a professional team of two. For broader Montreal cleaning pricing context, see our [complete Montreal pricing guide](/en/blog/how-much-does-cleaning-cost-in-montreal).*
Sparkling Stays offers move-in cleaning across Montreal and the South Shore — [book a move-in clean](/en/services/move-in-out-cleaning).
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DIY vs. Professional Move-In Clean
DIY is reasonable when: - The apartment is recently renovated or the previous tenant left it visibly clean - You have 4–6 hours available and proper supplies (enzyme degreaser, pH-neutral wood cleaner, non-scratch pads, HEPA vacuum) - The unit is a modern build with standard surfaces
Professional is worth it when: - The unit is pre-war (1900s–1960s) with decades of accumulated grime in hard-to-reach areas - It is a July 1st move — no time, maximum stress - You have children, pets, or allergies (professional HEPA equipment removes dust and allergens at a different level) - The previous tenant smoked or had pets - You want documented proof of move-in condition before placing any of your belongings
For guidance on choosing a professional team, see our [How to Choose a Move-Out Cleaner guide](/en/blog/how-to-choose-move-out-cleaner-montreal) — the same evaluation framework applies to move-in services. And for the outgoing side of the same move, see our [Move-Out Cleaning Checklist](/en/blog/move-out-cleaning-checklist-montreal).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a landlord in Quebec legally required to clean the apartment before I move in?
A: Yes. Under Quebec's *Code civil*, a landlord must deliver the dwelling in good, habitable condition at the start of the lease. A visibly dirty unit should be documented with photos on your condition report (état de l'immeuble) within three days of move-in. You can then request cleaning or reduction of rent in writing, or file a complaint at the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) if the landlord refuses to act.
Q: How is a move-in clean different from a regular cleaning service?
A: A move-in clean is significantly more thorough than a recurring maintenance clean. It includes the insides of all cabinets and appliances (oven, refrigerator, microwave), window tracks, baseboards, bathroom grout lines and caulking, closet interiors, and all surfaces the previous tenant is unlikely to have addressed during their move-out rush. The goal is to establish a genuinely clean baseline before your belongings arrive.
Q: How long does a professional move-in clean take in Montreal?
A: A two-person team typically takes three to five hours for a standard 4½ apartment, and five to eight hours for a larger 6½ or above — especially in pre-war buildings with original tile, cast-iron fixtures, or multiple exterior entry points. Move-in deep cleans with oven scrubbing, grout restoration, and full inside-cabinet work take longer than standard-scope move-in cleans.
Q: Should I clean before or after the movers bring furniture?
A: Before, if at all possible. An empty apartment gives cleaners full access to floors, baseboards, closet interiors, and behind appliances. If you have already moved in, prioritize the kitchen and bathrooms, clean floors with a pH-neutral product before placing any rugs, and wipe closet interiors before hanging clothes or placing items on shelves.
Q: What happens to hardwood floors if they are not cleaned before move-in?
A: Grit and sand trapped under area rugs scratch the finish from below — this is one of the most common and costly sources of hardwood floor damage in Montreal apartments. Sweep and clean floors with a pH-neutral hardwood cleaner before placing any rugs or furniture, and use non-slip felt pads under area rugs rather than rubber-backed rugs, which trap debris against the finish.
Q: Is July 1st move-in cleaning available in Montreal?
A: Yes, but book four to six weeks in advance. Cleaning services fill their July 1st calendar by late May. Last-minute availability exists at a 20–35% premium. Sparkling Stays offers move-in cleaning across Montreal including the Plateau, CDN, NDG, Griffintown, Rosemont, and the South Shore — [book early](/en/services/move-in-out-cleaning) to secure your preferred date.
