Q: If it’s not stated in my lease, can I be required to pay for professional cleaning before moving out?
Hi, I’m moving out of my apartment soon and my landlord has informed me that I need to either pay them $320 or a third party for professional cleaning of my unit (receipts required). This is all required before a move-out inspection has been done (2+ weeks before moving). I have reread my lease and it doesn’t state this anywhere, it simply states “You must thoroughly clean the apartment, including doors, windows, furniture, bathrooms, kitchen appliances, patios, balconies, garages, carports, and storage rooms. You must follow move-out cleaning instructions if they have been provided. If you don't clean adequately, you'll be liable for reasonable cleaning charges.” They claim that the “cleaning instructions”* mentioned above somehow imply these demands for professional cleaning even though it was not discussed in the lease. Can they require me to pay for professional cleaning? *the "instructions" that pro. cleaning is required were just provided for the first time today
A: It looks like they are claiming that there is a separate document entitled “cleaning instructions” and that this document was provided to you. Ask them for a copy and for proof that the "cleaning instructions" were in fact provided to you.
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