During a hectic move, it’s tempting to save money by doing the final clean-out yourself. But a “good enough” job can end up costing you far more than a professional service ever would. Before you pick up that sponge, understand the serious financial and personal risks you’re taking.
Risk #1: Losing Your Entire Security Deposit This is the most obvious risk. Your landlord has the right to use your deposit to cover the cost of bringing the unit back to its original condition. If your cleaning job doesn’t meet their standard—and their standard is often very high—they can and will use your deposit to hire their own professional cleaners.
Risk #2: Receiving a Cleaning Bill Here’s something many renters don’t realize: if the cost to professionally clean the unit exceeds the amount of your security deposit, your landlord can bill you for the difference. They will hire a company at their preferred (and often non-competitive) rates, leaving you with an unexpected and frustrating invoice.
Risk #3: A Negative Landlord Reference In Toronto’s tight rental market, a good reference from your previous landlord is golden. Leaving a property in a dirty state is one of the fastest ways to get a negative or lukewarm reference. This can make it significantly harder for you to secure your next desired rental property, a cost that is impossible to quantify.
Risk #4: Causing Accidental Damage Are you sure you know how to clean a stainless steel appliance without scratching it, or a ceramic cooktop without cracking it? Using the wrong chemicals or abrasive tools on surfaces can cause permanent damage, which your landlord can then charge you to repair or replace.
A professional move-out clean isn’t an expense; it’s an insurance policy. It’s a fixed, predictable cost that protects you from all of these potentially much larger financial risks and ensures you leave on good terms.
Don’t gamble with your deposit or your reputation. Contact My Canada Cleaning for a guaranteed, professional move-out clean.