Short answer: For a Toronto condo move this winter, book the service elevator three to four weeks ahead (Dec 1 and Jan 1 slots go first), get your building’s move rules in writing, photograph the elevator and hallway before and after, do the final clean once the unit is empty and before the inspection, and never put boxes or furniture down the garbage chute. Ontario renters have to leave a unit in “ordinary” cleanliness, not showroom condition.
December 1 and January 1 are two of the busiest moving days in Toronto. A condo move comes with steps a house move doesn’t have: a service elevator booking, an elevator deposit, inspections before and after, and rules about where boxes and old furniture can go. Winter adds salt, slush and short daylight on top.
When should you book the service elevator?
Book it as soon as you have a date. Many Toronto buildings want 24 to 48 hours’ notice at minimum, give you a fixed slot (often two hours or more), and don’t allow moves on Sundays, statutory holidays or garbage days. Month-end slots fill weeks earlier than that.
Every condo corporation sets its own rules, usually on a booking form from management or the concierge. Downtown buildings, from the Financial District to Yonge and Bay, tend to follow a common pattern: 24 to 48 hours’ minimum notice, two-hour slots, a deposit, an elevator inspection before and after, mandatory protective pads, and empty boxes sent to the recycling room instead of the chute. Ask your building for its current form rather than relying on what a previous resident remembers.
Expect a refundable elevator deposit set by your building. Give your movers the exact slot so they don’t arrive early and lose time in the lobby.
Can a Toronto condo charge a move fee?
Condo rules must be reasonable and consistent with the Condominium Act, 1998 and the corporation’s declaration and by-laws, and they have to meet the criteria in section 58 of the Act. If you’re asked to pay a move fee, ask management which rule, by-law or declaration provision it comes from, and get the answer in writing. The Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) explains how condo rules work on its rules page. This is general information, not legal advice.
How clean does the unit need to be?
- Renters: Under the Residential Tenancies Act, you’re responsible for the unit’s ordinary cleanliness (s. 33), unless your lease makes the landlord responsible for cleaning. You’re responsible for undue damage, but not normal wear and tear (s. 34). Ontario doesn’t allow damage deposits, and the last month’s rent deposit goes toward the last month’s rent. Before you hand back the keys, take dated photos or video of the clean, empty unit; Steps to Justice recommends keeping this kind of proof in case your landlord later claims cleaning or repair costs.
- Owners selling: Follow the wording in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale (often “broom swept”). Check it with your agent.
- Common elements: Under most condo documents, scuffed elevator walls or a damaged hallway get charged back to the unit owner, and landlords may pass that cost on to renters.
The condo winter move checklist
Work top to bottom in the empty unit. These are the spots condo inspections tend to catch:
Kitchen: inside the fridge and freezer, the oven, cabinet interiors, the range-hood filter and the dishwasher filter- Bathroom: the toilet, tub or shower, sink and mirror, plus the grout, glass shower tracks, exhaust fan cover and under-sink cabinet
- Living and bedrooms: floors, baseboards, light switches, closet shelves, window sills and mirrored closet doors
- In-suite laundry: the lint trap, the washer drum and gasket, and behind the stacked units if you can reach
- Fan-coil or HVAC vent covers: dust them, and replace the filter if your building expects it
- Balcony and locker: sweep the balcony (check the rules before hosing it down) and empty the locker
- Winter extras: wash dried salt off entry floors (salt damages flooring), clean the boot-tray area, and wipe slush tracks in the hallway after the move
- Move-day protection: confirm elevator pads are up, and take photos of the elevator and hallway before and after
- Hand-off: do the walk-through inspection, then return keys, fobs and parking remotes
Timing matters. The best time to clean is after the movers leave and before the building or landlord inspection, because an empty unit shows every mark. You can work through the list yourself, or book a move-out cleaning service in Toronto for that window.
What should you check when moving in?
- Resale or rental: Before you unpack, do a dated photo and video walk-through of the floors, walls, appliances and fixtures, and send any existing damage to the landlord or seller’s agent in writing.
- New build: At your Tarion Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), record anything incomplete, damaged or missing on the builder’s PDI form, and note anything you couldn’t properly assess. Construction dust settles into vents and tracks for weeks, so clean before your boxes come in.
How do you get rid of furniture and junk?
Never use the chute or leave items in the garbage room. If your building receives City of Toronto collection, oversized items such as furniture and appliances are picked up free; ask management how to book it (City of Toronto: apartments and condos). If it doesn’t, use a City Drop-Off Depot or a private removal company, and book it before move day.
Move-week timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Book the elevator, movers and cleaners. Get the move rules in writing. |
| 1 week before | Declutter, donate and arrange oversized-item pickup. |
| 2 days before | Defrost the fridge and clean the rooms you’ve already emptied. |
| Move day | Put elevator pads up and take before-and-after photos. |
| After the move | Do the final clean, the inspection and return keys and fobs. |
| Move-in day | Clean before you unpack. |
FAQ
Can my landlord keep my last month’s rent for cleaning? No. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the last month’s rent deposit goes toward your last month’s rent. Disputes about cleaning or damage go to the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Who pays if the movers scratch the elevator? Usually the unit owner pays, through the elevator deposit or a chargeback. Renters may have the cost passed on, so check your movers’ insurance and take photos before and after.
Do I need professional cleaners to move out? No. The legal standard is ordinary cleanliness, and you can meet it yourself. A professional clean mainly saves time on a tight move day.
How do I deal with salt and slush on a winter move day? Lay down mats or runners at the entry, keep a boot tray by the door, and wash salt residue off the floors during the final clean, before it dries and stains.
Joe Duodu is the owner of Pro City Maids, a cleaning company serving Toronto and the GTA.
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