Can my landlord charge me for carpet cleaningif the final apartment inspection report shows no damage or stains?
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Can my landlord charge me for carpet cleaningif the final apartment inspection report shows no damage or stains?
I recently moved out of my apartment. Can my landlord charge me for a carpet cleaning after I move out when the lease states the deposit is for “all purposes including, unpaid rent, damage, cleaning, late payment, utilities, keys and other charges” but my final apartment inspection report paperwork has no damage and under an “Item Charges” has no charge listed?
Asked on December 22, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
It is entirely possible that your former landlord can charge you for carpet cleaning even though the final walk through shows that there was no damage or staining to the carpet post move out.
Whether or not the landlord can contractually or statutorily keep any charges from your security deposit remains to be proven in any subsequent legal dispute and upon review of the presumed written lease and evidence at any trial. You need to realize that custom and practice in the rental industry is that a new tenant gets freshly cleaned carpets. However, the landlord typically absorbs such costs as part of the cost of doing business.
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