Should There Be a Separate Cleaning Fee After Moving Out?

When most people are finally done with a rental and move out and are gone for good, they breathe a sigh of relief—until they see the final bill and there is an extra line; it is called the cleaning fee. If you’ve already packed up and handed back the keys, should there be a separate charge for cleaning?

Some may think it is okay and that everyone wants a clean, open unit for the next person. Others think it is simply another line item meant to grab money from renters who are already spending a fortune on moving. Read the article below as we discuss whether a separate cleaning fee is reasonable, what it usually includes, and how tenants and landlords can deal with a cleaning fee without making waves.

Setting Move-Out Cleaning Expectations

Role of Lease Agreement

Having clear move-out cleaning expectations from the start can reduce stress for you and your landlord. The ability to reduce miscommunication is key. This is where your lease agreement comes in very handy. A lease agreement that outlines your definition of “clean” when it comes to moving out helps set expectations. Are you required to sweep floors and wipe down countertops, or do you need to do a deep clean, including carpets and appliances?

Communicating expectations is key for homeowners, and it is just as important for tenants to read these expectations before signing. Tenants who are unaware of their obligations for cleanliness could face last-minute surprises, Section 8 deductions from their security deposit, or issues over cleanliness standards when it comes time to return the keys to the landlord.

If your lease speaks to the requirement of professional cleaning or cleaning fees, advance planning is very important. Having a cleaning fee encourages tenants to take cleanliness seriously. When lease agreements specify these expectations, the move-out can proceed fairly and smoothly without issues arising from misunderstandings and unnecessary tensions.

Normal Wear and Tear vs Excessive Dirt

Understanding the difference between typical wear and tear versus damage through negligent actions is necessary for landlords and tenants regarding move-out cleanings. It is expected after living in your space that there will be some nail holes, moderately worn carpets, and scuff marks on the walls from the typical use of living in there, but it crosses over to the “negligent action” side if trash piles were left behind, appliances were damaged, or if the restroom was dirty.

Landlords should put in the rental order of expectations regarding the condition they anticipate the unit to be in when tenants leave, ideally at the lease signing or in a move-out checklist format. Tenants should take some pre-planning steps to clean well or deeply clean and document their cleaning. These preventions can help offer transparency and reduce misunderstandings, which can avoid confusion and unexpected charges later. Knowing the difference between day-to-day messes and detrimental messes can make the moving process easy and pleasant for all parties involved.

How are Cleaning Fees Treated in Different Jurisdictions?

Cleaning fees upon move-out are often contested by tenants and landlords in the United States. How fees are treated depends on both state and sometimes local law and the terms of the lease. Most states do not have specific laws around non-refundable cleaning fees, although some states first restrict or prohibit cleaning fees where it is only chargeable in circumstances where the fee will bring the unit back into its original condition. In the absence of a non-refundable cleaning fee in the lease, it generally will not be a chargeable element of the move-out.

Treatment By State

On the one hand, California allows landlords to deduct for cleaning only where the unit is not as clean as it was when taken over, with normal wear and tear aside. Also, landlords must have an itemized statement provided within 21 days, and they cannot charge for routine cleaning or for normal wear and tear. In Texas, cleaning costs can only be deducted from the security deposit if the cleaning cost is due to damages beyond normal wear. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days, and they cannot charge for normal wear.

In Utah, cleaning charges have to be stated in the lease. If not specified in the lease, most landlords will not be able to charge cleaning fees. Michigan does not treat non-refundable cleaning charges as part of a security deposit, like other states. The deductions from security deposits should be made for damages and normal excessive wear.

For Washington, landlords are required to provide a complete statement as well as an itemized statement about the use of deposits, including cleaning fees. They cannot charge for damage resulting from normal wear and tear. Lastly, Arizona requires that cleaning fees must also be designated in the lease, and if they aren’t designated, the landlord cannot arbitrarily charge for cleaning fees.

Should there be a Separate Cleaning Fee After Moving Out?

Yes, but only if significant dirt or neglect beyond regular use requires cleaning. The amount of cleaning needed and how the property was left are the main things that landlords take into account. There is no legal justification for charging a renter for minor dusting or soap scum.

If the refrigerator is still stocked with food, the carpet is obviously discolored, or the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned in months, landlords must also follow the correct procedures before charging, which include completing the necessary paperwork, giving a detailed breakdown of deductions, and adhering to any notice periods mandated by state or municipal legislation.

Alternative Options to a Separate Cleaning Fee

Distribute Cost Over Time

Landlords can spread out the expected cleaning costs, as opposed to issuing a separate charge. For short-term rentals, this can involve figuring out your average guest stay duration and increasing the nightly price by a few bucks in order to cover cleaning. This method has the benefit of a simplified price for the tenant or guest without the sticker shock. Keep this in mind when considering tenancies that last longer, since they may appear unappealing compared to tenancies with a one-time cleaning charge.

Take a Deduction From the Security Deposit

Instead of charging an upfront fee, landlords may state in the lease that cleaning costs may be deducted from the security deposit if the property is not left in the expected condition, other than normal wear and tear. This option may encourage tenants to clean properly before leaving, but it could leave landlords and tenants in disputes if the expectations are unclear or there is insufficient documentation.

Lease Terms Requiring Tenant Self-Cleaning

The lease may require the tenant to return the premises in a reasonably clean condition, detailing certain cleaning requirements for specific items such as carpets, appliances, and bathrooms. The tenant can complete the cleaning task themselves or hire a professional cleaning service. The alternative allows the tenant flexibility and can help save costs associated with moving out. The downside is that not all cleaning quality is the same, and landlords may still need to clean the property between tenants’ residences.

Provide Optional Cleaning Services

The opt-in model allows tenants to choose to pay for professional cleaning service at move-out, instead of requiring it. While tenants wishing to perform their own cleaning will save on the cost, tenants who are looking for convenience can opt in and pay for cleaning. You may need to coordinate with cleaning providers, however.

Clear Communication in the Lease

Cleaning obligations and possible fees upon a tenant’s departure are specified in the lease agreement. A well-written lease should detail any necessary cleaning methods, define “normal wear and tear” vs damage, clarify the expected state of the property upon move-out, and explain how cleaning fees will be calculated and subtracted from the security deposit.

Setting explicit expectations in a detailed lease agreement can help minimize disagreements between renters and landlords. Before signing, tenants should carefully read these terms, and landlords and property managers should make sure their contracts align with applicable state and local laws involving security deposits and cleaning fees.

Final Thoughts

The answer to the issue of whether landlords can charge after you’ve moved out is not as straightforward as yes or no. State regulations, lease agreements, the state of the property, and what is considered normal wear and tear are some of the issues that affect a landlord’s ability to charge for cleaning. Establishing a just system that safeguards the interests of both landlords and tenants is the ultimate objective. While tenants are entitled to equitable treatment and the restoration of their security deposit less any allowable deductions, landlords are entitled to keep their property in excellent condition.