Can a California landlord charge you for cleaning?
Yes. A California landlord can deduct cleaning costs needed to return a rental to the "same level of cleanliness" it had at move-in, excluding ordinary wear and tear. That standard applies in Los Angeles too. Photos help compare the condition, and the itemized statement is due within 21 calendar days after move-out.
General information, not legal advice. The cleaning standard compares move-out condition with move-in condition.
Move-out cleaning hours by home size
| Home size | Estimated solo labor time |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| 2 bedroom | 5 hours 5 minutes |
| 3 bedroom | 6 hours 55 minutes |
| 4 bedroom | 9 hours 15 minutes |
| 5 bedroom | 11 hours 5 minutes |
These are estimated labor times for one cleaner from our residential scheduling table. A crew can split the work, so confirm the visit length for your home when requesting a quote.
What California law says about cleaning
Civil Code 1950.5(b)(3) allows deposit deductions for cleaning needed to return the unit to the "same level of cleanliness it was in at the inception of the tenancy." This applies to tenancies that began after January 1, 2003. Ordinary wear and tear is excluded.
Start with the move-in record when deciding what needs attention. The cleaning standard is the condition at the start of the tenancy.
Read the California Civil Code 1950.5 statute. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The landlord photo rules and their dates
Beginning April 1, 2025, landlords must photograph the unit within a reasonable time after it is returned, before any cleaning or repairs they plan to deduct. They must take photos again within a reasonable time after that work is done.
For tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025, landlords must also photograph the unit immediately before, or at the start of, the tenancy.
No later than 21 calendar days after you move out, the landlord must send an itemized statement of deductions and return the remaining deposit. The statement must include the photographs and a written explanation of the cost.
A practical move-out cleaning checklist
RRC's residential move-out checklist has 82+ tasks. Use these room summaries for your own walkthrough, then compare the result with your move-in record.
- Check empty closets and bedroom floors. Include baseboards and window tracks in your final pass.
- Check the shower and toilet for buildup. Look inside empty vanity drawers and around the bathroom floor edges.
- Check appliance interiors and empty cabinets. Look for grease on cooking surfaces and crumbs along floor edges.
- Check living and dining areas for dust on trim. Include interior windows and blinds in your walkthrough.
- Walk through the floors and entryway after the room checks. Look for missed corners and cleaning waste before taking photos.
Take your own dated photos after the clean, including the areas you checked. Keep the original files with your move-in record.
See the full residential move-out checklist for every task.
Booking a move-out clean in Los Angeles
Ready Rental Cleaning offers move-out cleaning in Los Angeles. We take before and after photos of every room and deliver them to you after the clean. Keep those photos alongside your own dated photos.
For help comparing services, read how much house cleaning costs in Los Angeles and request a quote for your home.
Common Questions
Can a tenant be charged for cleaning?
Yes, California Civil Code 1950.5 allows a cleaning deduction needed to return the rental to its move-in level of cleanliness. This rule applies to tenancies that began after January 1, 2003, and ordinary wear and tear is excluded.
Can a landlord charge for ordinary wear and tear?
Ordinary wear and tear is excluded under Civil Code 1950.5. For cleaning, compare the condition at move-out with the level of cleanliness at move-in.
Does a California landlord need photos for cleaning deductions?
Beginning April 1, 2025, landlords must take photos within a reasonable time after the unit is returned, before cleaning or repairs they will deduct, and again within a reasonable time after that work is completed. For tenancies beginning on or after July 1, 2025, landlords must also take photos immediately before or at the start of the tenancy.
When must the landlord send the itemized statement?
No later than 21 calendar days after move-out, the landlord must send an itemized statement of deductions and return the rest of the deposit. The statement must include the photographs and a written explanation of the cost.
What is usually included in a move out cleaning?
RRC's residential move-out checklist has 82+ tasks across bedrooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, living areas, and whole-home checks. It covers empty-home detailing such as cabinet interiors and appliance interiors, with before and after photos of every room delivered to the client after the clean.
Are move out cleans more expensive?
Move-out cleaning covers empty-home areas such as closet interiors and cabinet interiors that add work beyond routine upkeep. Compare the scope when requesting a quote, and see our house cleaning cost page for more on choosing a service.
Should I take my own photos after cleaning?
Yes, take your own dated photos after the clean so you have a record of how you left each room. Keep them with your move-in photos so you can compare the condition at both ends of the tenancy.
Plan your move-out clean
Request a quote for your home and tell us your move-out date. Keep the before and after room photos with your move-in record.