In Ontario, tenants are not legally required to hire or pay for professional cleaning when moving out, even if a lease says otherwise.
Provincial tenancy law requires units be left in ordinary cleanliness, often described as broom-swept, not spotless, and that standard applies throughout the tenancy.
If excessive dirt creates damage, pests, fire hazards, or health and safety risks, landlords may seek compensation through the board, and serious cases risk eviction.
Lease terms demanding professional cleaning or cleaning fees generally cannot be enforced when they contradict provincial tenancy law, so tenants can refuse those demands.
New Ontario tenants can expect an ordinarily clean unit, ask landlords to address cleanliness problems, and pursue remedies through the board if needed.
