
Move In/Out Cleaning
Move-in and move-out cleaning to get your Montreal home inspection-ready.
Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning in Montreal — Get Your Space Inspection-Ready
Moving is stressful enough without worrying about cleaning. Between packing, coordinating movers, handling paperwork, and managing the logistics of changing addresses, the last thing you want to deal with is scrubbing an empty apartment from top to bottom. That's where Sparkling Stays comes in.
Our move-in/move-out cleaning service handles the deep, detailed scrubbing so you can focus on what matters — settling into your new home or wrapping up at your old one. Whether you're a tenant trying to get your security deposit back, a homeowner preparing for new buyers, a landlord getting a unit ready for new tenants, or someone moving into a new place who wants it spotless before unpacking, we deliver inspection-ready results every time.
What's Included in a Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning
This is one of our most comprehensive services. We clean every surface, every corner, and every detail that landlords, property managers, and real estate agents look for during inspections. Here's the full breakdown:
Kitchen
- Interior and exterior of all cabinets and drawers
- Interior of the refrigerator: shelves, drawers, door compartments, and seals
- Interior of the oven: racks, walls, door glass, and drip pans
- Interior of the dishwasher
- Interior and exterior of the microwave
- Countertops, backsplash, and sink (scrubbed and sanitized)
- Stovetop, range hood, and filter degreasing
- All appliance exteriors wiped and polished
- Floor scrubbed and mopped (including corners and under-cabinet edges)
- Light fixtures and switch plates
- Baseboard and trim cleaning
Bathrooms
- Full scrub and disinfection of the toilet (inside, outside, base, and behind)
- Tub and shower cleaning, including tile walls, grout, fixtures, and door/curtain track
- Vanity, sink, and mirror cleaning
- Medicine cabinet and vanity drawers (inside and out)
- Tile floor scrubbing, including grout
- Exhaust fan cover cleaning
- Baseboard and trim cleaning
- Chrome fixture polishing
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Interior of all closets: shelves wiped, rods dusted, floor vacuumed or mopped
- All baseboards and trim cleaned throughout
- Windowsills, tracks, and interior glass cleaned
- Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vent covers dusted and wiped
- Walls spot-cleaned for scuff marks, handprints, and smudges
- Doors and door frames wiped down
- Floors vacuumed and mopped throughout
- Cobweb removal from corners and ceilings
Additional Areas
- Laundry room: washer/dryer exterior, counters, shelving, lint trap area
- Entryway and hallways: closet interiors, shoe areas, light fixtures
- Stairways: vacuumed, mopped, banisters wiped, baseboards cleaned
- Storage rooms and pantries: shelves wiped, floors cleaned
- Balcony or patio: swept (if accessible and part of the unit)
Final Walkthrough
Every move-in/move-out cleaning ends with a final walkthrough by our team lead. We check every room against our checklist to ensure nothing was missed. The goal is simple: your space should be ready to pass any inspection — whether from a landlord, a property manager, or a real estate agent.
Move-Out Cleaning: For Tenants Leaving
If you're moving out of a rental in Montreal, a professional move-out cleaning can make the difference between getting your security deposit back and losing it. Landlords and property managers expect the unit to be returned in the same condition it was rented — minus normal wear and tear.
Our move-out cleaning addresses:
- All the areas landlords check: Inside cabinets, appliances, closets, windows, and bathroom fixtures
- Wall marks and scuffs: We spot-clean walls to remove everyday marks
- Baseboard and trim buildup: The dust and grime that accumulates over months or years of living somewhere
- Kitchen grease: Oven interiors, range hoods, and backsplashes that show months of cooking
- Bathroom grime: Soap scum, mould, mineral deposits, and grout discoloration
We recommend scheduling your move-out cleaning after all furniture and belongings have been removed. An empty space is much easier (and faster) to clean thoroughly.
Move-In Cleaning: For New Tenants and Homeowners
Moving into a new place? Even if the previous occupants cleaned before leaving, you'd be surprised what gets missed. Residual dust in closets, grime in appliance interiors, and buildup in bathroom corners are common.
A professional move-in cleaning gives you peace of mind. You'll unpack into a genuinely clean, sanitized space — not someone else's version of clean.
Our move-in cleaning is especially popular with:
- New tenants: Start your lease with a fresh, professionally cleaned space
- New homeowners: After the previous owners move out, a move-in clean addresses everything they left behind
- Parents helping adult children move: A common request — parents book a move-in cleaning for their son or daughter's first apartment
- Anyone with allergies or sensitivities: A thorough move-in clean removes dust, pet dander, and residues from previous occupants
Montreal's July 1st Moving Day
Montreal's unofficial moving day — July 1st — is the single busiest day of the year for our team. Hundreds of thousands of Montrealers move on or around this date, and the demand for move-in/move-out cleaning is enormous.
Here's what you need to know:
- Book early: We start filling July 1st slots in May. If you know your moving date, book as soon as possible.
- Flexible scheduling: We offer cleanings on June 30th, July 1st, and July 2nd to accommodate the rush. Morning, afternoon, and evening slots are available.
- Back-to-back service: If you're moving out of one place and into another, we can schedule both cleanings on the same day or consecutive days.
- Rush availability: Last-minute openings sometimes become available due to cancellations. Contact us to check.
Beyond July 1st, we see high demand for move-in/move-out cleanings year-round — lease renewals in Montreal happen on various dates, and home sales close throughout the year.
Pricing Context
Move-in/move-out cleaning is priced based on:
- Unit size: Studios and 1-bedrooms cost less than 3+ bedroom homes
- Number of bathrooms: Each bathroom adds significant cleaning time
- Condition: A unit that's been well-maintained costs less than one with heavy buildup
- Appliance interiors: Cleaning inside the fridge, oven, and dishwasher is included, but severely neglected appliances may require extra time
- Add-ons: Interior window cleaning, balcony cleaning, and garage/storage areas are available at additional cost
We provide a flat-rate quote based on your unit's details — no hourly billing, no surprises. What we quote is what you pay.
Who Is This Service For?
- Tenants moving out who want their security deposit back
- Tenants moving in who want a genuinely clean start
- Landlords and property managers preparing units for new tenants
- Homeowners selling who want their property to show at its best
- Homeowners buying who want to move into a spotless space
- Real estate agents who need properties cleaned for showings or closings
- Students starting or ending leases on student housing
Service Areas
Our move-in/move-out cleaning service covers:
- Montreal Island (all boroughs and neighbourhoods)
- West Island (Dorval, Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, DDO, Pierrefonds, Beaconsfield)
- Laval (all sectors)
- South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Boucherville, Saint-Hubert, Chambly)
Our Team and Equipment
Every move-in/move-out cleaning is handled by experienced team members who understand what inspectors look for. Our team arrives with:
- Professional-grade vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
- Eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products
- Degreasers, descalers, and specialized bathroom cleaners
- Microfiber cloths, mops, and scrub pads
- Step ladders for light fixtures, ceiling fans, and high shelving
- Garbage bags for any remaining debris
All products are safe for children, pets, and people with sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I book the cleaning before or after my furniture is moved out?
After. An empty or near-empty space is much easier to clean thoroughly. We can access all closets, cabinets, and floor areas without working around furniture. If some items remain, we'll clean around them, but results are best in a cleared space.
Q: How long does a move-in/move-out cleaning take?
Typically 4 to 8 hours, depending on the size and condition of the unit. A studio or 1-bedroom apartment usually takes 4 to 5 hours. A 3-bedroom house can take 6 to 8 hours. We'll provide a time estimate with your quote.
Q: Can you guarantee I'll get my deposit back?
We can't guarantee your landlord's decision, but we clean to a standard that satisfies the vast majority of landlords and property managers. Our final walkthrough ensures everything is inspection-ready. If your landlord identifies a specific cleaning issue after our visit, contact us within 24 hours and we'll address it.
Q: Do you clean the outside of the building or common areas?
No, our service covers the interior of your unit only. Common areas like hallways, lobbies, and exterior spaces are typically the landlord's or condo association's responsibility.
Q: Can I book a move-out and move-in cleaning on the same day?
Yes, if scheduling allows. We recommend booking both as early as possible, especially around July 1st. We'll coordinate timing to make sure both spaces are cleaned on your schedule.
Q: What if the previous tenant left the place in really bad shape?
We can handle heavily soiled units, but they may require extra time and cost more than a standard move-in clean. Let us know the condition upfront and we'll provide an accurate quote. In extreme cases (hoarding situations, extensive damage), we may recommend specialized services.
Q: Do you offer discounts for landlords with multiple units?
Yes. If you manage multiple rental properties and need regular turnover cleaning, contact us about volume pricing. We work with several property management companies across Montreal.
Q: What's your cancellation policy for moving day bookings?
We require at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations, and 72 hours during the July 1st period. Late cancellations may incur a fee, as moving-day slots are in extremely high demand.
