My Property Manager Informed Me That I Would Be Responsible for the Costs for Cleaning the Property and Cleaning the Carpets After My Tenant Moved Out. Why Is This the Case?

Audience: rental property owners surprised to learn that post-move-out cleaning and carpet cleaning may be an owner expense, and who want to understand when cleaning is chargeable to the tenant and when it is not.

The truth is more nuanced. North Carolina law establishes strict requirements for what can and cannot be deducted from a tenant’s deposit. And often, cleaning does not meet the legal threshold for chargeability.

Here’s why.

FAQs ❓

Isn’t the tenant required to return the property clean?
Yes but “clean” is subjective, and NC law only allows charging for cleaning beyond normal use.

Why can’t all cleaning be charged to the tenant?
Because some cleaning is required simply to prepare a home for the next resident and is considered an owner cost.

Is carpet cleaning chargeable?
Only if the carpets are excessively dirty or damaged beyond normal wear.

If the tenant didn’t clean at all, is it chargeable?
Yes cleaning due to neglect is a legitimate deduction.

When Cleaning Is Chargeable to the Tenant ✔️

Cleaning can be deducted from the deposit when:

The home is left noticeably dirty
There is excessive filth
Trash or abandoned items remain
Appliances require deep cleaning
Bathrooms or kitchens are unsanitary
Carpet has stains or pet messes
Odors require treatment

Examples of chargeable cleaning:

Grease-caked ovens
Sticky floors
Stained toilets
Animal urine in carpet
Mold caused by poor ventilation use
Heavy dust or cobweb accumulation

In these cases, MoveZen documents the required work with photos and charges accordingly.

When Cleaning Is Not Chargeable and Becomes an Owner Expense ❗

Many owners are surprised to learn that most cleaning needed between tenants is NOT chargeable, because it’s:

✔ Normal “turnover cleaning”

✔ Standard prep for the next resident

✔ Wear consistent with tenancy

✔ Not caused by tenant negligence

Examples include:

Light dust
Normal use of showers, sinks, and floors
Minor smudges on appliances
Expected wear in high-traffic areas
Carpets needing a standard steam clean
Minimal crumbs or residue in cabinets
Routine bathroom touch-ups

If the previous tenant made a reasonable effort to clean but did not achieve professional-quality results, it is not considered chargeable damage under NC law.

Why Carpet Cleaning Is Usually an Owner Expense 🧼

Carpets nearly always require a professional clean between tenants — even when tenants clean the home well.

Why?

✔ Carpet must be hygienically cleaned for the next resident

✔ It’s part of normal turnover

✔ It’s not damage

✔ Professional cleaning standards exceed what tenants can reasonably achieve

Therefore:

Standard carpet cleaning = owner cost
Excessive stains, pet odor, or pet urine = tenant cost (with depreciation applied)

The Legal Standard Behind Cleaning Charges ⚖️

North Carolina allows landlords to deduct cleaning only when the tenant leaves the unit in a condition dirtier than when they moved in.

This requires:

Move-in documentation
Move-out photos
Clear comparison
A standard of “reasonable cleanliness”

MoveZen must follow the law strictly to avoid:

Deposit refund disputes
Claims of improper deductions
Loss of the entire deposit in a dispute
Licensing risk

This is why we cannot simply charge cleaning because it “needs to be done.”

Why Owners Often Pay for Cleaning Even After Great Tenants Move Out 🧠

Because cleaning is part of:

✔ Preparing the home for marketing

✔ Meeting listing standards

✔ Setting expectations for new residents

✔ Ensuring health and hygiene

✔ Making the home appealing and competitive

Even well-meaning tenants rarely meet the standard needed for showings.

Examples: When Cleaning Is Owner vs. Tenant Responsibility 📘

Cleaning Need	Tenant Pays?	Owner Pays?	Why
Light dust, routine turnover	❌	✔	Normal wear
Standard carpet steam cleaning	❌	✔	Required for turnover
Abandoned trash	✔	❌	Tenant-caused
Oven thick with grease	✔	❌	Neglect
Feces or animal mess	✔	❌	Damage
Hard water or soap scum	Depends	Depends	Severity-based
Deep cleaning required for marketing	❌	✔	Owner responsibility

Why MoveZen Wants to Get This Right ✔️

Charging a tenant incorrectly — even by accident — can:

Void the entire deposit
Trigger legal challenges
Delay turnover
Create disputes
Damage reputation or tenant relations

By ensuring only legally allowed cleaning is charged, MoveZen protects owners and maintains compliance.