dont-skip-this-moving-day-step:-what-to-clean-before-handing-over-the-keys
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Dont Skip This Moving Day Step. What to Clean Before Handing Over the Keys

ByKristine Gill

HOME BUYERS – To get the best exclusive listings visit www.vreg.ca and go to “EXCLUSIVE DEALS”

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Moving out of your home kicks off a laundry list of to-do items. One of the tasks that might cross your mind is finding out who is responsible for cleaning your home when you move out. Is it expected or required? Who should pay? We reached out to experts on the best practices for cleaning when moving out of a home or rental property.

Check Your Contract

In some cases, cleaning is specified in your sales contract, in which case you’re obligated to comply. Most contracts for home sales include boilerplate language regarding the buyer’s obligation to clean and remove all belongings from the home before the sale. Renters often have requirements in their leases relating to cleaning before they move out.

“Although it may not be contractual, it is more of a courtesy to the buyer,” says Kam Zinsser, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Senter Realtors.

“When purchasing a home, most contracts stipulate that the premises be broom-swept,” says broker Svetlana Choi of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “So, it isn’t necessary for a seller to do a thorough cleaning. However, it can make a real difference, particularly if it’s a higher-priced property.”

“I had a client who was buying a studio in the Gramercy area of NYC and specifically requested that the mildew, which was severe, be cleaned from the bathroom,” says broker Gerard Splendore of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “At the walk-through, the day prior to closing, the mildew was untouched. The seller insisted that it had been cleaned that night, but no evidence or pictures were presented. I left the closing, and the bathroom was untouched, so the buyer was awarded a $1500 cleaning allowance off the price of the sale.”

Benefits of Cleaning a Home Before Moving

Choi adds that the choice to have a properly cleaned home can be the tipping point in a sale. “I had a walk-through where the buyer was having doubts about whether the apartment was the right choice for her family,” she says. “Because the seller didn’t want to jeopardize the transaction, she immediately hired a cleaning service, and I reported this to my buyer. In the end, she was happy and then focused on renovating her home.”

“A cleaner home helps with a smoother walk-through and sets a positive tone for the closing process,”

—Kay Zinsser, Real Estate Agent

As Zinsser stated, cleaning your home is typically a courtesy to the new buyer unless otherwise stipulated in your contract. “General cleaning of the floors and surfaces as well as removing all personal belongings is very important,” Zinsser says. “Deep cleaning the kitchen appliances, inside the cabinets, bathrooms, and carpet is always nice.”

In some cases, the buyer will require the seller to pay for a deep clean before move-in. In other cases, the buyer will take the cleaning into their own hands, either to organize and pay for it or to do the dirty work themselves to save money.

Whether you’re cleaning as a courtesy or because you want good karma, most agents agree it’s a smart move.

“Leaving a home clean on departure is nearly always a good idea,” says agent Michael Weiner of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “For instance, if it’s a sale, the new owners are more likely to return items that may have been left accidentally by the sellers at the time of the close; and in general, renters want to be able to keep a good recommendation from a prior landlord as a reference for a future one.”

What You Should Clean When Selling a Home

Zinsser suggests cleaning commonly overlooked areas in your home, including the inside of your fridge, oven, and microwave. Wiping down baseboards, trims, ceiling fans, and vent and air return covers is also a good idea. Window ledges and blinds also get dusty. Finally, check behind the toilet for forgotten grime.

“Prioritizing these areas, whether you are a renter or a homeowner, goes a long way and makes a difference,” Zinsser says. “As the homeowner, cleaning the home and paying attention to details is largely a goodwill gesture.”

Focus on the main living areas to start. “Primary areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, which are central to the home, are the top cleaning priority and are almost impossible to overlook,” Weiner says. “Less-used areas, such as a basement, attic, or closet, are sometimes overlooked because items stored there are often not everyday ones. Overlooked—or perhaps simply insufficiently cleaned—are bathrooms, which are places most people hate to clean.”

While you don’t have to clean, it is a nice gesture and one you would appreciate if the roles were reversed. “One of my sellers said to me, ‘They sought to present the home as they would wish to receive it,’” Zinsser said. “This has always stuck with me!”

What You Should Clean When Leaving an Apartment

When it comes to cleaning an apartment or home rental, the rules are typically much more rigid and spelled out in the leasing documents. They often state that you must leave the space empty and broom-cleaned or swept.

“For homeowners, cleaning is rarely a legal requirement unless it is included in the sales contract or a part of the negotiations,” Zinsser says. “For renters, legal cleaning obligations are usually included in the lease agreement. It will include an outline of the cleaning expectations and the security deposit rules.”

Almost all renters are required to pay a security deposit before moving in. If you leave a rental without fulfilling your responsibilities as outlined in the lease, including any cleaning requirements, you may not receive your deposit back upon departure.

“The expectation for renters is that the space be in move-in condition, broom clean, and empty,” says Splendore. “Many renters will ignore this aspect of their lease, sometimes contingent on their experience with their landlord, other times as a result of negative energy with roommates or partners.”

When it comes to rentals, there are monetary consequences for not cleaning your space. Landlords take security deposits up front and keep those deposits if you don’t uphold your end of the bargain. If you want to keep your deposit and stay on good terms, cleaning is the right move.

“I strongly encourage renters to review their lease and leave the property in good shape, as their landlord can write them a letter or recommendation that will be helpful in their next rental experience,” Splendore says.

Who Should Pay for Cleaning When Selling a Home

If cleaning is not included in your contract and you decide to clean your home as a kindness to the new owner, you can either do it yourself or hire a cleaning crew.

“The use of professional cleaning services in moving out and their cost is extremely varied,” Weiner says. “Some of it is driven by the nature of the home and the seller. If the home is large or the seller is infirm or deceased, it’s more likely to require professional service, which varies by market and home size. Just as with moving companies, it’s always a good idea to do some research on companies and get two or three service quotes before selecting one.”

Get a detailed breakdown of what’s included in cleaning costs before hiring a cleaning company.

“When hiring a cleaning service, be very clear on the level of cleanliness that will be provided,” Choi says. “A deep clean is much more thorough than simply cleaning surfaces. These days, cleaning services have different levels, so it is important to be clear about defrosting and cleaning out refrigerators and or ovens, cleaning windows, and whether cleaning supplies will need to be provided.”

Who Should Pay for Cleaning When Leaving a Rental

When it comes to leaving rented homes or apartments, the renters typically clean the space themselves before moving out. Any cleaning that needs to be done to meet the landlord’s standards is then paid for using the security deposit.

With that in mind, most tenants opt to do some cleaning themselves, knowing that they’ve paid ahead for any professional cleaning that might be needed. However, if you’re leaving your apartment in worse shape than you found it, it may be worth paying for professional cleaning yourself.

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    What Is That Burning Smell from the Furnace? How to Prevent Unpleasant Odors

    ByTimothy Dale

    As temperatures start to drop, homeowners make the switch to heating to ensure the home remains comfortable. However, the warm air can often be accompanied by a burning smell that quickly permeates your space. However, there are ways to prevent this odor in the first place and other methods for handling unfamiliar odors, like a musty or electrical burning smell. Use this guide to discover how to prevent the furnace smell when you turn it on for the season, other mysterious furnace smells you might encounter, and when to call a professional. Why Does the Furnace Smell When You First Turn it On? In most cases, when a furnace smells after being turned on for the first time in the season, there’s no need to worry. The smell of burning dust should fade quickly. But, if the smell persists or you notice a different smell from the furnace, it could be due to a serious issue with the HVAC system. Consider these common reasons why the furnace may smell when you first turn it on. Burning dust smells are relatively common when first turning on the furnace for the season. This is typically due to a buildup of dust on the burners, heat exchanger, air ducts, and other heating unit components. Generally, this odor will fade quickly as the thin layer of dust is burned away. Musty odors coming from the furnace usually indicate that there is mold or mildew trapped inside the HVAC system. It may be in the heating unit, the ductwork, the furnace filter, or even the humidifier pad. Electrical burning smells are not normal and should be addressed as soon as possible. Sometimes the smell is due to a foreign object stuck in the ductwork or vents of the HVAC system, but on other occasions, this smell may be due to burned or frayed wiring, or can also be a result of the furnace overheating. Rotten egg scents produced by the furnace are a sign of a gas leak. Since natural gas is odorless, the gas companies add a sulfur-based chemical to give off the distinct odor of rotten eggs as a way of warning homeowners that there is gas in the vicinity. Gas is flammable, putting the home at risk of a fire or an explosion, and it’s also harmful if inhaled, so you should vacate the home immediately. Smoke smells can occur if the exhaust vent is blocked, forcing the combustion exhaust from the furnace to escape into the home. This smell may also be a result of flammable material inside the ductwork, near heating vents, or too close to the furnace. Animal odors are often due to pets. Pet hair and dander are taken into the ducts through the cold air return, where they will remain in the ducts. Every time the furnace turns on, it recirculates pet hair and smells, until you have your ducts professionally cleaned. It’s also not unheard of for a pest to enter the ductwork of the home, where droppings and hair will produce a foul odor when the furnace is turned on. Oil smells can indicate that the filter on the furnace is clogged. This is typically due to a problem with the filter, which can be easily resolved by an experienced DIYer or a professional HVAC tech. Sewage stenches are powerful and off-putting, but can also help identify when there is a problem with the home sewage system. If the furnace starts to smell like sewage when it is first turned on then there may be a broken wastewater line or an open sewer line nearby that will need to be located and repaired. Chemical smells from the furnace should not be ignored. This could indicate that the heat exchanger is broken or not operating properly, which may lead to the release of odorless, invisible carbon monoxide gas; a known risk of gas-based heating systems. How to Prevent the Furnace Smell When You Turn It On Burning Dust Smell While the burning dust smell that comes from the furnace when it is first turned on is relatively harmless, that doesn’t mean you need to just deal with it each year. Instead, you can have the furnace and evaporator coil cleaned by a professional before the cold season begins. DIYers with enough experience and confidence can clean the evaporator coil in a furnace on their own by turning off the furnace, removing the access panel, then gently cleaning the coil with a soft cloth or brush, while being careful to avoid damaging the fins. Wipe down the condensate pan and the surrounding areas, then replace the panel and turn the furnace back on. You should also take this opportunity to replace the air filter, where dust might be trapped from the previous season. If the burning dust smell persists, then it’s recommended to turn off the furnace and contact an HVAC professional to inspect and repair the HVAC system. Musty Odors Musty odors are typically produced by mold and mildew. In some cases, the mold or mildew is attached to dust or other debris, so it burns off relatively quickly, but if the musty odor doesn’t go away, then you should start by replacing or cleaning the air filters. Similarly, you can replace or wash the humidifier pad using a solution of water and vinegar to kill any mold or mildew. However, if the musty odor still

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    Canadians will see some new laws and rules kick in next month

    ByNational Trending Staff

    Several new laws and regulations will be implemented in Canada next month. From a bill that protects shoppers from deceptive marketing practices to expanded dental care, these changes could affect workers, consumers and low-income Canadians. Here are the new laws and rules you can expect in Canada in June 2025. Canadian Dental Care Plan expansion and renewal Jacob Lund/Shutterstock The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) now accepts applications from eligible people aged 18 to 34. On May 29, the program will expand to include those aged 35 to 54. The program was implemented in 2023 to decrease dental costs for Canadians earning less than $90,000 annually. If you’re already part of the dental care program, don’t forget to renew for the 2025 to 2026 period before June 1 to avoid a possible gap in coverage. To do this, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and received the notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Check to see if you qualify for the CDCP. “Anti-scab” law In May last year, the federal government passed Bill C-58, a law that aims to protect unionized workers during strikes or lockouts. Under the legislation, which will take effect on June 20, federal employers won’t be able to use replacement workers, AKA “scabs,” to do the jobs of unionized employees during legal strikes or lockouts. This is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 per day. The exceptions to this law include needing to use a replacement worker to prevent threats to life, health or safety of the public and prevent serious damage or destruction to their property. However, employers need to offer the opportunity to bargaining unit members first. Law holding businesses more accountable for greenwashing Bill C-59, which kicked in on June 20, 2024, also brought important changes to the Competition Act, specifically when it comes to greenwashing, or misleading consumers about a business’s environmental impacts. According to Canadian law firm BLG, the changes to legislation won’t only make it easier for the Commissioner of Competition to hold companies accountable, but also for private parties like environmental activists and climate advocacy groups. Starting June 20 this year, these groups can bring action against companies for deceptive greenwashing marketing practices before the Competition Tribunal if they can show “public interest.”

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    6 Ways to Unstick Windows That Have Been Painted Shut

    ByKamron Sanders

    Credit: Getty Images / Vicki Smith Opening windows that have been painted shut can prove challenging, as dried paint creates a surprisingly strong hold. Whether it was a simple window painting mishap or your home got the “landlord special,” where every surface was covered with layers upon layers of white paint, you’ll need to break the seemingly impenetrable seal that the dried paint creates. To help you get started, this guide explains various methods for opening a window that has been painted shut, along with the necessary safety measures to use. How to Unstick Windows That Have Been Painted Shut To open windows that have been painted shut, you need to break through the paint holding the window shut. While this may sound simple, it can be difficult. Here are a few different effective methods, but you need to choose the one that is right for your situation. For example, if you want to preserve the paint on the window, choose a method that disturbs it as little as possible. 1. Apply Heat A heat gun is useful for warming and loosening the paint bond, which allows you to easily scrape it off the window and remove it from the sash so you can open the window. It can be challenging to pinpoint precisely where to apply the heat, so you should only rely on heat application if you aren’t looking to preserve the surrounding paint. Before using a heat gun, ensure there’s nothing nearby that can be damaged and refrain from using heat on plastic window sashes, as they may warp and melt. 2. Score the Paint With a Multitool Painter’s multitools, such as a 5-in-1 tool, are effective for scoring and cutting out paint that’s holding a window shut, as they’re both strong and sharp. However, the thicker blade might damage the surrounding paint, so choose this option only if you’re looking to replace the surrounding paint. 3. Score the Paint With a Utility Knife If you want to preserve the paint finish while also unsticking the window, scoring the seal with a razor blade or a utility knife can offer the cleanest cut. However, if your paint is old, brittle, or has several layers, it can be difficult to score it cleanly. If this is the case, a heat gun can be effective for warming and softening the paint, allowing you to score it more easily and cleanly. To preserve the paint on the window, avoid applying too much direct heat, as it can cause the paint to bubble and compromise its integrity. 4. Break Deeper Seals With a Putty Knife If you’ve scored the paint along the window sash, but the window still won’t budge, dried paint may have seeped deeper into the sash. To break this invisible paint’s hold, place a thin, flexible putty knife in the gap and lightly tap it with a hammer. Work your way around the window until you’ve fully broken the seal and the window opens. If the window has been painted shut, there’s a good chance it hasn’t been operable for years. To aid in future operation and prevent your window from getting stuck again, apply a spray lubricant, such as silicone spray, to the tracks. 5. Use Wood Shims to Open the Gap As you work your way around the window, slide thin wood shims into the gap to slightly hold the gap open, lightly tapping them into place with a hammer if needed. Be careful not to push the shims in too far, as this may stress the window and could even break the glass. 6. Score the Outside of the Window Still no luck? If you haven’t already, check the outside of the window to ensure it hasn’t been painted shut as well. Window Paint Removal Safety Tips Before attempting to remove paint, take the necessary safety precautions to keep you and those around you safe during the paint removal process. Test for lead paint. Removing lead paint requires a higher level of precaution . Most experts recommend skipping lead paint removal and instead opting for encapsulation, so your safest bet may be to score the paint enough to open the window without removing it altogether. Wear the appropriate safety gear. Whenever removing paint, wear the proper respirator to protect against both particles and fumes. Additionally, wear safety glasses and gloves when working with tools for paint removal. Use caution when scoring paint. Whenever you’re using a blade to score paint, use extreme caution and do so slowly and steadily. Moving too quickly or applying too much force may result in injury or damage to the surrounding materials. Consider masking the glass. When working around windows with hand tools, there’s a risk of broken glass. To protect your windows, consider taping cardboard to cover the glass while you work.

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    Toothpaste Is the Secret to Perfectly-Hung Picture Frames (Yes, Really!)

    ByMaria Sabella

    If you’re always up for learning a new home improvement hack, you may have come across this viral Instagram reel that shows how to use toothpaste to hang pictures. As stunning as a gallery wall can be, the process of hanging pictures is not always quick and easy—and sometimes results in countless nail holes that need to be patched up. The toothpaste picture-hanging hack promises a foolproof method that takes out the guesswork. Best of all, it only requires a cheap item everyone already has at home: a regular ole tube of toothpaste. Keep reading to find out whether the viral hack actually works, what type of toothpaste works best, and how to make sure pictures are level. How the Toothpaste Picture Hanging Hack Works The viral toothpaste picture hanging hack is designed to take the guesswork out of hanging frames on the wall. It starts with a basic tube of white toothpaste that will serve as a the marker for where you need to hammer or drill a hole. To start, take your picture frame and lay it face-down on a flat surface. Locate the hanging hardware first—typically there will be one or two pieces of hanging hardware on the back of a frame, depending on how large and how heavy it is. The most common types of picture frame hardware are sawtooth hooks, D-rings, triangle hooks, and keyholes. Take the toothpaste a squeeze a small amount of it on the hanging hardware. If it’s a sawtooth hook, squeeze a dot of toothpaste in the middle of the sawtooth hook where the nail will go. Pick up the frame with the hanging hardware facing the wall, position it where you want the picture to hang, then gently press against the wall until the toothpaste transfers onto the wall. The toothpaste mark (or multiple marks) now serves as a guide to show you exactly where the nail holes need to be. Install nails or screws, then wipe off the excess toothpaste using a clean cloth or paper towel. Related How to Make Sure the Picture Is Level The hack seems simple enough, right? But if there is more than one piece of hanging hardware on the back of the frame or if you are hanging a pair of frames, how do you make sure the holes are level? Because there’s nothing more frustrating than realizing a picture is hanging crooked or a pair of frames doesn’t quite line up. This is where a level comes in. The viral Instagram reel doesn’t show a level being used, but it’s easy to incorporate into the hanging method. You may just need an extra set of hands to help you out, especially if the picture frame is beveled or not deep enough to prop a level on. Here’s where the tool comes in: Before you press the picture frame with the toothpaste on the wall, place a level on top of the frame. If the frame is deep enough to hold the level, you can do it by yourself. If not, have someone hold the level in place for you. Make any necessary adjustments and once the frame is level, press it against the wall to make toothpaste marks. Alternately, you can use a laser level that shoots a perfectly straight line across the wall to direct where you should position the frame. What Type of Toothpaste to Use For anyone nervous about whether or not toothpaste can hurt painted walls, you don’t have to worry about it causing any permanent damage. Sometimes toothpaste is actually used to clean scuff marks off of walls, so it is safe to use on most walls and it will not strip the paint. As for the type of toothpaste that’s best to use for the hack, a basic white toothpaste is a good choice. There’s no need for any fancy whitening or breath-freshening toothpaste, since all you need it to do is make marks on the wall. The thicker and creamier the consistency of the toothpaste the better it transfers onto the wall, so try to avoid gel-based toothpastes that may be too thin and run down the walls.

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    How to declutter your home: comprehensive, room-by-room tips

    ByVirginia Clark

    Clearing out your house can be an exhausting process: so many decisions to make, so much stuff to move around, and so much research into the best ways to donate or recycle your unwanted things. Tackling one room at a time is logical and helps to make things manageable, and there are few rooms that will take more than one day to clear and reorganise. Some people take to decluttering like a duck to water, but others need a little more guidance. As a general rule, we find that if you can’t remember the last time you used something, or if it takes a while to dive down and find that memory, it’s time to get rid of the item in question. We’ve broken it down room by room, so you can follow along with the process, and find tips on the easiest and most convenient ways to get rid of things (if you live in the UK, at any rate). Some general principles Take everything out of the drawer/cupboard/wardrobe before you start sorting and group it. You need to see all your shirts/tins of food/chargers in one place before you make decisions. When you put it back, keep the groups! If all of the same kinds of thing are together, it makes it much easier to keep track of what you have. If you can’t remember the last time you used an item (assuming it’s something functional), or retrieving the memory takes some effort, it’s time to get rid of it. If it’s expired (for food or bathroom products), if it’s been in the freezer for longer than three months (some might say six months), or it hasn’t fit you in the last year, get rid of it. Create seasonal storage, so that winter duvets, woolly jumpers and puffer coats are out of sight when you don’t need them. Underbed boxes are perfect for this. If you have a large house and lots of different places where things could be, it can be helpful to make a map or diagram of where everything is, and keep it somewhere easily accessible. Have a plan for what you’re going to do with unwanted items. It is overwhelming to pull everything out of your cupboards and have no idea what to do with them. Don’t throw things away unless you absolutely have to. Most things can be recycled, and there are more and more facilities to do so easily. As you begin with any given room, set up a box for things to throw away (keep it to a minimum), things to recycle, things to donate, and things to sell. This will make it easier to take action once the room is in order. Setting up a halfway house box in your house can also be helpful for ambiguous items. If you’re hesitating about donating something or putting it in the rubbish, relegate it to the box for a week or two, and then go through the box and see if your feelings have changed. Many retailers have started offering facilities to recycle old electrical items and textiles, or even buy back old furniture, and some offer vouchers in return. IKEA’s scheme to buy back assembled pieces of furniture is particularly worth knowing about, since old IKEA furniture can be hard to shift in other ways, and they will give you in-store credit for new pieces. John Lewis has promised to have similar schemes in place in every category by 2025, and currently recycle small tech appliances. Listing something for free on Gumtree is very often the quickest way to get rid of something. If you’re tempted to list an item for a small sum, but you want to prioritise getting it out of the house quickly, think about giving it away instead. People become remarkably unfussy when something is free, and they’ll come and collect it without a peep. For whole house clear-outs that involve multiple kinds of item (furniture, clothes, books, etc), booking a collection with the British Heart Foundation (which is great for furniture) or icollectclothes.com (which takes clothes, books, toys and small homewares) is a hassle-free way to go. How to dispose of different types of clutter If the thought of lugging old books and DVDs down to the charity shop is a dispiriting one, Ziffit (run by second-hand book moguls World of Books) is an excellent option for disposing of them, and you can regain a few pennies at the same time. Scan the ISBN or barcode with the camera on your phone, and the Ziffit app tells you how much they’re willing to pay you for it (usually somewhere between 50p and £5). You can then package them up, and organise a collection: minimal effort and a tiny bit of money back, hurrah! Electrical and electronic items Small electrical items like hairdryers/DVD players can be a pain to recycle. Looking at your local council website is a sensible place to start, as they will have the location of big recycling centres as well as any nearby WEEE (Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment) bins. These are usually located on major roads or in car parks, and take small devices that plug in. Some retailers also offer WEEE recycling: Currys is one of the best, and will take pretty much anything and give you a small voucher in return. Find out more here. You can also take small

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    Spring slowdown for Metro Vancouver home sales drags on despite ‘abundant’ listings

    ByDH Vancouver Staff

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