Do you have to clean the oven and walls when you move out?
The oven and the walls cause more move-out anxiety than anything else. Here's the honest answer for Edmonton tenants on both.
The oven: yes, clean it
A baked-on, greasy oven is one of the single most common cleaning deductions landlords make. Grease is soil, not wear and tear, so it's squarely your responsibility. Clean the interior, racks, door glass, burners and the range hood — and photograph it after, because the oven is exactly the kind of item that gets disputed.
The walls: clean dirt, not wear
You're responsible for dirt on the walls — scuffs, handprints, food splatter, marks that wipe off. You're not responsible for normal wear and tear: faded paint, minor nail holes from hanging pictures, light marks from furniture. A landlord can't deduct from your deposit to repaint for normal aging.
The grey area, and how to win it
Disputes happen where 'dirt' and 'wear' blur. The tenant who wins is the one with evidence: spot-wash what comes off, photograph the result, and note anything that's clearly wear-and-tear rather than trying to hide it. Your move-in inspection report is your defence for anything that was already there.
Do I have to clean the oven when moving out in Alberta?
Practically, yes — a greasy oven is soil, not wear, and it's one of the most common cleaning deductions. Clean it and photograph it.
Can a landlord charge me to repaint walls?
Not for normal wear and tear like faded paint or small nail holes. They can address dirt or damage beyond normal wear, with completed inspection reports.