Montreal Moving Day Cleaning: A July 1 Apartment Checklist

Every year, a huge share of Montreal moves on the same day. Most Quebec leases end on June 30, so July 1 turns the city into a maze of moving trucks, couches on sidewalks and stairwells full of boxes. For cleaning, that creates a tight window: the old tenant moves out, the new one moves in, and the apartment has to be ready in between. This guide covers Montreal moving day cleaning for tenants, landlords and anyone taking over an apartment, with what Quebec’s rules say about the condition of a dwelling and a checklist built for plexes and walk-ups.

What Quebec’s rules say about moving out and moving in

Quebec handles rental housing differently from the rest of Canada, and a few rules shape how cleaning works around July 1:

• No grace period. The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), Quebec’s housing tribunal, reminds tenants that a new tenant’s right to occupy starts on the first day of the lease, and the former tenant has no grace period to vacate and remove belongings.
• Return it as you received it. Under article 1890 of the Civil Code of Québec, a tenant must hand the dwelling back in the condition it was received, except for changes from aging, normal wear and tear or superior force. Descriptions or photos taken by the parties can establish that condition. Without them, the tenant is presumed to have received the dwelling in good condition.
• The landlord must deliver it clean. The mandatory Quebec lease form notes that a landlord can’t release themselves from the obligation to deliver the dwelling in clean condition (articles 1892, 1893, 1910 and 1911 C.C.Q.).
• No damage deposits. Under article 1904, a landlord can’t demand a deposit or any amount other than rent. So unlike in many provinces, there’s usually no deposit to lose. Claims for damage go through the TAL instead.

What that means in practice: outgoing tenants should leave the apartment clean and take photos; landlords should check the unit and have it clean before the new tenant arrives; and incoming tenants should photograph everything on day one. This is general information, not legal advice.

Why Montreal moving day is hard on cleaning

Hours, not days

With most leases ending June 30 and starting July 1, there’s often only a few hours between one tenant leaving and the next arriving. The TAL even suggests that if the old tenant isn’t finished, they should let the new tenant in and free up a room or two. A cleaner can’t do much in an apartment full of boxes, so the best cleans happen either just before moving day or as soon as the rooms are empty.

Plexes, walk-ups and outdoor staircases

Many Montreal apartments are in duplexes, triplexes and walk-ups, with outdoor spiral staircases, narrow hallways and no elevator. Furniture going in and out scuffs walls, door frames and floors. Leave time to wipe scuff marks and sweep entries and balconies after the movers finish.

Early July heat

Moving day falls in summer, so apartments can be hot, and fridges left unplugged go bad fast. Empty the fridge before moving day and leave the door ajar once it’s clean and off, so it doesn’t smell when the next tenant opens it.

Everyone books at once

Cleaners, movers and trucks are in demand in the last days of June. Book your apartment clean early, ideally weeks ahead, and pick the date and arrival window that fits around your movers.

A Montreal moving day cleaning checklist

Before you move out

• Empty and clean the fridge and freezer, inside and out, and clean the oven and stovetop.
• Wipe cabinets and drawers inside and out.
• Clean the bathroom: toilet, tub or shower, sink, mirror and vanity.
• Dust light fixtures, window sills, radiators or baseboard heaters, and baseboards.
• Remove nails and anchors only if your lease or landlord asks you to.
• Take dated photos of every room once it’s clean.

After the movers leave

• Wipe scuff marks on walls, doors and door frames.
• Vacuum and mop floors, starting at the back of the apartment and working toward the door.
• Sweep the balcony, entry and any outdoor stairs that belong to the unit.
• Check closets, the storage locker and the shed for anything left behind.

Moving in

• Photograph every room, inside appliances and cabinets, before you unpack.
• Line kitchen shelves and wipe cabinets before putting dishes away.
• Clean the bathroom and the fridge first, since you’ll need them on day one.
• Report anything broken or not working to your landlord in writing.

Need a printable list? Download one of our free cleaning checklists.

Booking an apartment clean in Montreal with Cleanster

Book in the Cleanster app or on the website. Enter your address and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, choose Apartment & Condo, and pick Move-Out for an empty apartment or Deep for a thorough clean before you move in. The app suggests the hours for your apartment, and you can add extras such as inside the fridge or oven, interior windows or laundry.

• Ціни: cleaning is priced by the hour for your location, with a 2-hour minimum. Prices vary by location, and you see the full price before you book. See home cleaning pricing.
• Background-checked cleaners: every cleaner passes a background check run by ClearChecks and checks with 3 or more references.
• 48-hour Happiness Guarantee: if something isn’t right, tell us within 48 hours with photos and we’ll work with you to make it right.
• Support: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time, which is one hour behind Montreal.

Learn more on our apartment cleaning in Montreal page, see move-out cleaning in Montreal і deep cleaning in Montreal, or browse every service on the Montreal city page.

Montreal moving day cleaning FAQ

Why does everyone in Montreal move on July 1?
Most Quebec residential leases end on June 30, so the new lease, and the new tenant’s right to move in, starts on July 1.

Do I have to clean my apartment before I move out in Quebec?
Under article 1890 of the Civil Code of Québec, you must return the dwelling in the condition you received it, except for aging and normal wear and tear. Leaving it clean, with photos, is the simplest way to show that.

Can my landlord keep a damage deposit?
In Quebec, a landlord can’t demand a deposit or any amount other than rent (article 1904 C.C.Q.). Disputes about damage are handled by the Tribunal administratif du logement.

The apartment I moved into is dirty. What can I do?
Landlords must deliver a dwelling in clean condition. Take photos, tell your landlord in writing, and contact the TAL if it isn’t resolved. Many people book a deep clean so they can move in right away.

When should I book a cleaner for moving day?
As early as you can. Late June and early July are the busiest days of the year for moves in Montreal.

Get started

Download the app, choose Apartment & Condo, and book your Montreal moving day clean. Prices vary by location, and you see yours before you book.

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