Rental turnover and move-out cleaning

Clean rentals between tenants for landlords, property managers and Airbnb hosts.

Cleaner in uniform vacuuming a tidy living room in a family home.
Startup costC$500 to C$2.5k
Monthly revenueC$1k to C$5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • C$500-2.5k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

One-off deep cleans of apartments and houses after tenants move out, getting them ready for the next occupant or for a sale.

Your first three steps

  1. Create a simple checklist and photo-based quote process for different unit sizes
  2. Contact local landlords, property managers and short-term rental hosts with an introduction and sample pricing
  3. Get insurance and a vehicle-friendly kit with a strong vacuum, steamer and ladder
Who pays

Small landlords, property managers, short-term rental hosts and tenants who want their deposit back.

How it makes money

Fixed price per unit based on size and condition, with extra charges for heavy dirt, appliances or inside windows. Repeat work comes from landlords with several units.

Skills that help
  • Deep cleaning and attention to detail
  • Quoting jobs accurately
  • Reliable scheduling around tight turnaround times
Watch out for
  • Commercial general liability insurance
  • Take before and after photos to avoid disputes over condition
  • Check municipal business licence rules and GST/HST registration thresholds
  • Work can be uneven, with busy peaks around month-end and summer moves
  • Check WCB/WSIB rules in your province if you hire helpers

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: rental turnover and move-out cleaning

Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a move-out cleaning business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on the equipment and supplies you buy for deep cleans and the insurance you choose.

How much can a rental turnover cleaner earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many jobs you take and how quickly you turn them around. Work can be uneven, with busy peaks around month-end and summer moves.

What rules should I check before starting rental cleaning in Canada?

Check commercial general liability insurance, municipal business licence rules and GST/HST registration thresholds. If you hire helpers, check WCB/WSIB rules in your province. Taking before and after photos helps avoid disputes over condition.

Other ways to run this business

Similar cleaning ideas

Photo: jarmoluk on Pixabay

More ideas →