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Can You Provide Some Photo Examples of What Would Be Considered Excessively Dirty Requiring Extraordinary Measures to Clean, and What Would Not Be Excessively Dirty?

Move-out cleanliness is one of the most common areas of confusion for both tenants and owners.

Audience: rental property owners who want clear examples of what MoveZen considers normal cleaning vs. excessive filth requiring tenant charges, including descriptive “photo-style” scenarios used in deposit assessments.

Because “clean” is subjective, MoveZen relies on evidence-based comparisons that distinguish:

  • Normal turnover cleaning (owner responsibility)
    vs.

  • Excessive filth requiring extraordinary cleaning (tenant responsibility)

Below are text-based examples that replicate what inspectors typically photograph in the field.

FAQs ❓

Can MoveZen charge a tenant for normal dirt or light cleaning?
No. NC law prohibits charging for normal turnover cleaning.

Can tenants be charged for excessive filth?
Yes when cleaning exceeds what is expected from normal use.

Do these scenarios apply whether or not pets lived in the home?
Yes unless the cleaning is specifically related to pet damage.

Is carpet cleaning chargeable?
Only if stains, odors, or pet issues exceed normal wear.

What Is Not Considered Excessively Dirty (Owner Responsibility) 🧼

These are typical, everyday conditions MoveZen sees after a normal tenancy.
They cannot be charged to the tenant.

Normal Example #1: Light Kitchen Use

Picture a kitchen with:

  • A thin film of dust on countertops

  • Crumbs in one or two drawers

  • Light streaks on cabinets

  • Oven with mild discoloration

  • Refrigerator shelves with light residue

Classification: Normal turnover cleaning

Normal Example #2: Regular Bathroom Wear

Imagine a bathroom showing:

  • Light soap scum on shower walls

  • Water spots on glass

  • Slight discoloration in grout

  • Toothpaste marks on sink

  • Minimal hair in corners

Classification: Normal use; not chargeable

Normal Example #3: Carpet After Several Months of Use

Visualizing carpet with:

  • Light matting in walkways

  • Faint discoloration

  • Dust around edges

  • No severe odor or staining

Classification: Standard carpet cleaning (owner cost)

Normal Example #4: Mild Wall Wear

Walls with:

  • Small nail holes

  • Minor scuffs

  • Touch-up marks

  • Gentle discoloration from sunlight

Classification: Ordinary wear and tear

What Is Considered Excessively Dirty (Tenant Chargeable) 🚨

These situations require more labor, specialized cleaning, and additional cost.
They can be charged to the tenant’s deposit (with documentation).

Dirty Example #1: Heavy Grease-Buildup Kitchen

Imagine photos showing:

  • Thick brown grease coating stove and range hood

  • Caked-on food debris inside oven

  • Sticky residue on cabinet faces

  • Crumbs and spills throughout drawers

  • Trash and old food left behind

Classification: Excessive filth — chargeable cleaning

Dirty Example #2: Bathroom with Deep Neglect

Picture:

  • Mold or mildew patches on walls

  • Thick scum in tub or shower corners

  • Toilet with heavy staining

  • Grime buildup in sink and fixtures

  • Strong odors or visible residue

Classification: Deep cleaning required — chargeable

Dirty Example #3: Pet-Related Carpet Damage

Images showing:

  • Several dark urine spots

  • Sticky or matted areas

  • Significant odor detected

  • Stains penetrating padding

  • Visible chewing or pulling

Classification: Excessive cleaning or replacement — chargeable (with depreciation)

Dirty Example #4: Trash or Abandoned Items

Examples include:

  • Bags of garbage left inside

  • Broken furniture

  • Piles of clothing or belongings

  • Food waste

  • Exterior clutter

Classification: Tenant-caused — chargeable removal

Dirty Example #5: Appliances Neglected Beyond Normal Use

Photo-like scenario:

  • Thick, burnt residue lining oven

  • Refrigerator with spilled liquids hardened in drawers

  • Mold in fridge gaskets

  • Dishwasher with food buildup and foul odor

Classification: Extraordinary cleaning — tenant chargeable

Dirty Example #6: Walls and Floors With Unusual Contamination

Imagine:

  • Walls smeared with crayons, ink, or greasy handprints

  • Floors with sticky spills throughout

  • Persistent, strong odors from neglect

Classification: Excessive chargeable cleaning or repair

The Legal Standard Behind These Classifications ⚖️

North Carolina allows charging tenants only when cleaning needs:

go significantly beyond what is considered normal turnover cleaning.

A home does not need to be spotless but it must be reasonably clean. Anything requiring above-average effort or professional intervention becomes tenant responsibility.

Examples:

  • Standard kitchen wipe-down = owner cost

  • Hours of degreasing and scrubbing = tenant cost

How MoveZen Ensures Accurate and Defensible Charges ✔️

MoveZen uses:

  • Move-in photos

  • Move-out photos

  • Inspector notes

  • Cleaning vendor documentation

  • Fair wear-and-tear standards

  • NC deposit law compliance

This ensures all charges are:

✔ Legal

✔ Documented

✔ Fair

✔ Defensible

We never classify wear-and-tear as excessive filth.

Tips for Owners to Reduce Cleaning Disputes 💡

✔ Provide tenants with a move-out cleaning checklist

✔ Encourage mid-tenancy inspections

✔ Consider LVP flooring to reduce carpet issues

✔ Keep appliances in good working order

✔ Require any pets to be properly documented

Good property condition reduces cleaning surprises later.