Mandatory Move-Out Cleaning, Carpet & Paint Fees in a Lease: Are They Allowed?

Many leases set a flat charge at move-out (professional carpet cleaning, repainting, a “turnover” fee) taken from your deposit no matter how you leave the unit. A security deposit is usually meant to cover unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear, and many states require the landlord to send an itemized list of deductions by a deadline. A fixed fee that ignores the unit's actual condition is worth questioning before you sign. Check your state's rules in the table below.

What it looks like in a lease

“Tenant shall pay $250 for professional carpet cleaning upon move-out, deducted from the security deposit.”
“A move-out cleaning fee of $175 applies regardless of the condition of the premises.”
“Tenant will be charged for repainting all walls at the end of the tenancy.”

Why it's a red flag

A flat fee charges you even if you leave the unit spotless, so it can work like a hidden non-refundable deposit.
Worn carpet and faded paint after years of normal living are often treated as ordinary wear and tear, not damage.
If your state requires itemized deductions, a pre-set fee may not match what the landlord can actually justify.

What to ask your landlord

Can the fixed fee be removed, so charges apply only if the unit needs cleaning or repair beyond normal wear and tear?
Will any deduction come with an itemized list and receipts or photos?
Can we do a signed move-in and move-out inspection with photos?

State-by-state rules

Deposit rules that decide what a landlord must show before keeping money for cleaning or repairs. Each row links to the statute. Data as of 2026-10-18.

Arizona
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
14 days
Source: A.R.S. § 33-1321
California
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
21 days
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Colorado
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102.5, 38-12-103 (as amended by HB25-1249, eff. Jan 1, 2026)
Florida
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
15 days
Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.49
Georgia
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30.1, 44-7-34
Illinois
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
45 days
Source: 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715
Kentucky
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
Not verified yet
Source: KRS 383.580
Louisiana
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254
Maryland
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
45 days
Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), (e), (g)
Minnesota
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
21 days
Source: Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subds. 2-3
Missouri
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: RSMo § 535.300
Nevada
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: NRS 118A.242
New York
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
14 days
Source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-103, 7-108
North Carolina
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52
Ohio
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
Oregon
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
31 days
Source: ORS 90.300(12)-(13)
Pennsylvania
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512
South Carolina
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410
Tennessee
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
Not verified yet
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301
Texas
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107
Utah
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: Utah Code §§ 57-17-2, 57-17-3, 57-17-5
Virginia
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
45 days
Source: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1226(A), 55.1-1208(A)(7)
Washington
Itemized deductions required
Yes
Return deadline
30 days
Source: RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610

State	Itemized deductions required	Return deadline	Source
Arizona	Yes	14 days	A.R.S. § 33-1321
California	Yes	21 days	Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Colorado	Yes	30 days	C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102.5, 38-12-103 (as amended by HB25-1249, eff. Jan 1, 2026)
Florida	Yes	15 days	Fla. Stat. § 83.49
Georgia	Yes	30 days	O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30.1, 44-7-34
Illinois	Yes	45 days	765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715
Kentucky	Yes	Not verified yet	KRS 383.580
Louisiana	Yes	30 days	La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254
Maryland	Yes	45 days	Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), (e), (g)
Minnesota	Yes	21 days	Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subds. 2-3
Missouri	Yes	30 days	RSMo § 535.300
Nevada	Yes	30 days	NRS 118A.242
New York	Yes	14 days	N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-103, 7-108
North Carolina	Yes	30 days	N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52
Ohio	Yes	30 days	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
Oregon	Yes	31 days	ORS 90.300(12)-(13)
Pennsylvania	Yes	30 days	68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512
South Carolina	Yes	30 days	S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410
Tennessee	Yes	Not verified yet	Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301
Texas	Yes	30 days	Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107
Utah	Yes	30 days	Utah Code §§ 57-17-2, 57-17-3, 57-17-5
Virginia	Yes	45 days	Va. Code §§ 55.1-1226(A), 55.1-1208(A)(7)
Washington	Yes	30 days	RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610

Cities and counties can add stricter rules (e.g. Chicago, New York City). Other states: coming soon.

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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.