Can my landlord charge a cleaning fee?

Usually not. In Ontario, a landlord can only charge the fees the law allows, and a cleaning fee isn’t one of them. A lease term that says you must pay one doesn’t count.

Deposits can’t be kept for cleaning

• A last month’s rent deposit can only be used for your last month’s rent. If you also paid your last month’s rent, it should be returned to you.
• A key deposit must be returned when you return the keys.
• Damage or security deposits aren’t allowed in Ontario, so the whole amount should be returned.

What you do have to do when you leave

You have to leave the unit reasonably clean, and pay for damage that you, your guests or people living with you caused on purpose or by carelessness. You don’t have to pay for normal wear and tear, like faded paint or worn carpet. Your landlord can ask you to have professional cleaning done, but can’t require it or charge you a fee for it.

Before you leave, clean to a reasonable standard and take dated photos or videos of every room.

If your landlord says you left it dirty or damaged

A bill isn’t an order to pay. If your landlord says you caused damage, or left the unit very dirty or full of garbage, they have to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board and prove what it reasonably cost. After you move out, they have one year to apply (Form L10). You can respond and show your evidence at a hearing.

Getting your money back

If you paid a cleaning fee or a deposit was kept for cleaning, ask your landlord in writing to pay it back. If they don’t, you can apply to the Board with Form T1. Apply within one year of when the money was paid or kept.

Based on: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, ss. 4, 33, 34, 89, 105, 106, 134 and 135; O. Reg. 516/06, s. 17. Sources: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 · O. Reg. 516/06 (general regulation) · Landlord and Tenant Board forms.