778-288-4358BC damage-deposit guide · Updated August 2026
How to get your damage deposit back in BC: clean, inspect, document.
Clean the empty home, compare its condition with your move-in report and take dated photos before the final inspection. Cleaning is one part of getting your deposit back; keep the inspection records and follow BC's deposit process too.
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Your best deposit strategy is a complete record—not one receipt.
BC guidance connects cleaning with the larger move-out process. Treat the appointment, walkthrough, condition report, photos and forwarding address as one handoff file.
Finish after the last belongings leave
Empty cupboards, storage and floors before the professional pass so the selected areas are reachable and do not need to be cleaned twice.
Compare the same rooms recorded at move-in
Use the original condition report to separate cleaning from ordinary wear, pre-existing marks and repair questions.
Keep the report, dated photos and written address
Save the signed inspection record, photos, cleaning scope and written forwarding address together rather than relying on memory after key return.
Room-by-room scope
See the complete cleaning foundation before choosing interiors.
NearMe Move In/Out Cleaning combines every Standard task, every approved Deep addition and the turnover layer. Oven, refrigerator, cabinet, blind, interior-window and reachable wall-spot work remains selectable so the booked scope stays clear.
Standard
22 tasksIncluded in every one-time or recurring standard cleaning.
Bedrooms & living areas
- Dust and wipe reachable surfaces
- Sweep and mop hard floors
- Vacuum carpeted areas
- Clean accessible mirrors
- Dust reachable furniture
- Clean hallways and stairways
- Clean entry and patio-door interior glass
- Empty household waste bins
Kitchen
- Wipe accessible counters and surfaces
- Clean and polish the sink
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Wipe appliance exteriors
- Clean the stovetop
- Clean the microwave inside and outside
- Empty the waste bin
Bathrooms
- Wipe and sanitize reachable surfaces
- Clean and polish the sink
- Clean mirrors and toilets
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Clean shower fixtures
- Scrub the bathtub
- Empty the waste bin
Deep
+11 tasksEvery standard task, plus detailed buildup areas.
Bedrooms & living areas
- Wash accessible baseboards
- Clean beneath safely accessible furniture
- Wipe window sills and frames
- Wipe door frames
- Wipe accessible light switches
Kitchen
- Wash kitchen baseboards
- Clean cabinet exteriors
- Clean the backsplash
Bathrooms
- Wash bathroom baseboards
- Clean doors and cabinet exteriors
- Clean accessible bathroom exhaust-fan surfaces
Move-in / out
+11 tasksStandard and deep-cleaning tasks, plus turnover priorities.
Bedrooms & living areas
- Wipe accessible vents
- Remove reachable ceiling dust
- Wipe accessible ceiling fans
- Wipe accessible light fixtures
- Clean empty closet and storage interiors
Kitchen
- Clean behind safely movable appliances
- Clean the range hood
- Clean the dishwasher interior
- Wipe vents and reachable ceiling dust
Bathrooms
- Wipe accessible vents
- Remove reachable ceiling dust
Compare every room, optional extra and service exclusion before choosing a package.
Compare the complete checklist →The 72-hour deposit plan
Protect one clean window between moving and inspection.
The most avoidable mistake is scheduling movers, cleaners and the landlord at the same time. Work backward from the inspection so each stage can finish properly.
Confirm the inspection and access
Keep keys, fobs, elevators and parking available until the cleaning and your walkthrough are complete.
Empty the spaces you selected
Remove food, belongings and waste; defrost an appliance when its interior is part of the booking.
Run a light-on, door-open walkthrough
Open cabinets and closets, turn on lights and review bathrooms, appliances, storage, floors and reachable marks.
Photograph the completed condition
Use wide room photos plus closer images of any existing wear or agreed repair issue.
What cleaning can—and cannot—settle
Present the home clean without confusing dirt, damage and normal wear.
A cleaning company controls the selected cleaning scope. The condition report and tenancy process determine how that result is considered alongside age, wear, repairs and other obligations.
Cleaning
Dust, residue, grease, bathroom buildup and accessible floor or surface soil belong in the cleaning plan.
Damage
Broken fixtures, holes, burns and other repair issues do not become cleaning tasks because the move-out date is close.
Reasonable wear
Provincial guidance distinguishes natural deterioration from tenant-caused damage; record rather than scrub an aging surface beyond its safe finish.
Carpets and specialist work
Review Policy Guideline 1. Carpet shampooing and steam cleaning are not included in NearMe packages and need a specialist when required.
NearMe customer evidence
Real cleaning evidence for the moment a property changes hands.
Authentic NearMe Google reviews describe move-related deadlines, detailed work and support around the customer experience.
Read our Google reviews ↗“Prices are reasonable. Good cleaners and they provide their own supplies. You only need to supply your ow vacuum, mop, broom, etc. We initially got a cleaner who didn’t meet our standards, but they were able to send a better one after. Responsive with requests/inquiries. Had a couple of booking changes, but was able to correct within reason. Overall, good service!”
“I’ve gone through a few house cleaning services in Vancouver over the years, and NearMe has easily been the most consistent. The booking process was straightforward, they arrived on time, and my home looked noticeably cleaner when they finished. It’s nice not having to follow up or remind anyone about the details. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a reliable cleaning service.”
“I’ve tried a couple of cleaning services in Vancouver before, but NearMe has honestly been the most reliable so far. We’ve been using them for a few months now for regular cleaning, and the difference is consistency. The cleaners show up on time, they don’t rush through things, and the place actually feels properly cleaned after they leave. What I like most is that it doesn’t feel random every time like with other companies. There’s clearly a system they follow, which makes a big difference. Pricing is fair for what you get, and booking has been pretty smooth as well. No back and forth or confusion. If you’re looking for a dependable house cleaning service in Vancouver, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try.”
Questions before you decide
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions customers ask before choosing a service, schedule or cleaning company.
Professional cleaning can address the selected cleaning scope, but no cleaner controls the full deposit decision. The landlord may also consider damage, missing items, repair obligations and the condition-inspection process. Use cleaning as one part of a complete handoff record.
Schedule it after the home is empty and before the move-out inspection. Leave time to check the finished work and contact NearMe if an included task was missed before you return the keys.
BC guidance says the landlord and tenant should complete the inspection together. Participation and the required inspection steps affect deposit rights, so use the current provincial instructions for your situation.
Yes. Photograph each room, storage area, appliance or interior you selected and any pre-existing wear or unresolved repair issue. Keep the dated images with the signed condition report and cleaning record.
No. Carpet shampooing and steam cleaning are service exclusions. Review BC Policy Guideline 1 to understand when specialist carpet cleaning may be expected for a tenancy.
Guide sources
Sources and further reading
- BC: Moving out of rental units ↗Current provincial guidance on cleaning, condition inspections, deposits and forwarding addresses.
- BC Policy Guideline 1 ↗Official cleaning and maintenance responsibilities, including carpet and window-covering guidance.
- BC Condition Inspection Report (RTB-27) ↗The provincial condition-report form used to record the move-in and move-out condition.
- NearMe Move In/Out Cleaning checklistIncluded cleaning tasks, optional add-ons and work outside the service.
A cleaner handoff starts before the inspection
Give the cleaning its own finish line.
Book after belongings leave and before the walkthrough begins. NearMe handles the selected cleaning scope; you retain the report, photos and key handoff.