In A Condo
A Toronto condo suite has almost no ductwork, which is why the usual duct cleaning conversation does not apply and a different one does.
Short answer
Most Toronto condo suites have a fan coil unit with very short duct runs, plus an in-suite exhaust connected to a building riser. The in-suite items are the owner responsibility; the risers and the makeup air system are the corporation. Cleaning the fan coil and the exhaust grille is the useful work; cleaning two metres of duct is not.
What is actually in a suite
A fan coil unit, usually in a closet, with a coil, a filter, a blower and a condensate pan.
Very short supply duct runs from it, frequently only a metre or two.
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust grilles connected to a building riser rather than to the outside directly.
In some buildings a corridor makeup air supply, which pressurizes the corridor and feeds the suite under the door.
In newer buildings sometimes an in-suite HRV or a vertical fan coil with fresh air.
And a dryer, which in most Toronto condos is ventless or condensing, or vents to a shared riser.
The fan coil is the job
The coil, the drain pan, the blower wheel and the filter slot. That is where the dust, the biofilm and the musty smell are, and it is almost never cleaned because it is behind a closet door. Cleaning that properly makes a real difference; cleaning the short duct runs makes almost none.
Whose responsibility
In-suite equipment and the suite side of the exhaust: generally the unit owner, and the declaration governs.
Risers, shafts, rooftop exhaust fans and makeup air units: the corporation.
Which matters, because a suite exhaust that does not work is frequently a riser or rooftop fan problem rather than a suite one.
Corridor makeup air balance is a corporation matter and is the cause of a great many odour transfer complaints between suites.
Fan coil filters are usually owner maintenance and are usually neglected.
And major fan coil work may need the corporation involved for water shutoff and access.
What to ask for
Fan coil cleaning: coil, drain pan, blower wheel, cabinet and filter slot.
Filter replacement with the correct size, because a loose filter lets air bypass it entirely.
Condensate drain cleared and the pan checked, which is the usual source of a musty smell when the cooling runs.
Exhaust grille cleaned and the airflow checked, so you know whether the problem is yours or the building.
The short duct runs cleaned while they are there, which is quick and is not the main value.
And an honest answer about what cleaning two metres of duct is worth, which a reputable company will give you.
Common questions
Is duct cleaning worth it in a condo?
The fan coil is. The short duct runs are not the main value.
Why does my bathroom exhaust not work?
Frequently a building riser or rooftop fan problem rather than your suite.
Who maintains what?
In-suite equipment is generally the owner, risers and rooftop fans the corporation.