Is it legal for a landlord to charge a cleaning fee in CA?

Quick answer: In California, you cannot charge a nonrefundable cleaning fee, but you can deduct reasonable cleaning costs from the security deposit to return the unit to its move-in level of cleanliness under California Civil Code §1950.5. Across LA, a 1BR move-out clean typically costs $150 to $400. TurnOver LA charges a flat $255 for a 1BR Make Ready, completed in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

Yes, it is legal to charge a tenant for cleaning in California when it is a reasonable cost to restore the unit to the same level of cleanliness it had at move-in. The charge must be deducted from the security deposit and itemized, not billed as a nonrefundable cleaning fee up front. Your itemization must be delivered within 21 days of move-out.

What does California law allow a landlord to charge for cleaning?

California Civil Code §1950.5 allows you to deduct for cleaning required to return the unit to the same level of cleanliness it had at the start of the tenancy. You cannot use cleaning to cover normal wear and tear, and you cannot collect a nonrefundable cleaning fee. You must provide an itemized statement and receipts within 21 days. For LA RSO units, you also owe deposit interest, but the cleaning rules stay the same. See the statute and guides for reference: California Civil Code §1950.5, the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide, and the California Tenants Guide.

• Related: Normal wear and tear in California and 21-day deposit return rules.

Can a landlord charge a nonrefundable cleaning fee in LA?

No. A nonrefundable cleaning fee is not allowed. Any cleaning cost must be reasonable and must be deducted from the security deposit with an itemized accounting. If you charge a flat fee up front and keep it regardless of condition, you are exposed to penalties and fee disputes. In LA, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance does not change the cleaning rules, but it does require payment of deposit interest on covered units and has its own rent and relocation framework. Review the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance and align your lease language so you do not imply a nonrefundable fee.

If you want predictable turnover costs, use a fixed-scope move-out clean that is priced per unit type, then itemize only what was necessary. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready includes a 12-point photo report to back your deductions.

How much does move-out cleaning cost in LA, and what do we charge?

Across LA, professional move-out cleaning for a 1BR usually runs $150 to $400 depending on grime, appliances, and addons. TurnOver LA pricing is flat and shown up front, with a 48-hour standard turnaround:

• Make Ready (deep clean + 12-pt photo report): Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, 3BR or larger $425.

We handle oven and fridge interiors, bath descaling, cabinet wipeouts, baseboards, and floor detailing under the Make Ready scope. If the unit needs junk removal, market rates can add $150 to $500. Our Unit cleanout is Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420. Book both together to compress vacancy time. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

• Learn more: What is Make Ready and Move-out cleaning in Los Angeles.

What is the 21-day security deposit timeline in California?

You must return the deposit or a balance with an itemized statement within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates. Your letter should list cleaning line items, dates, vendor names, and labor or flat rates, and include copies of receipts. If you performed the cleaning with in-house staff, you may use a reasonable hourly rate and document hours. If you miss 21 days, you can lose the right to deduct and face penalties. The timing rule is set in California Civil Code §1950.5. Also note AB 12 limits most residential security deposits to one month of rent, which increases the scrutiny on what you deduct. See AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap.

What documentation do you need to deduct cleaning legally?

Itemize clearly and keep records. Here is a simple, defensible package:

1. Signed move-in condition checklist and photos tied to the start of tenancy.
2. Pre-move-out inspection notes and correction list offered to tenant.
3. Move-out date-stamped photos and a 12-point photo report by area.
4. Vendor invoice showing scope, unit size, rate, and date of service.
5. Final deposit accounting letter sent within 21 days with receipts.
6. Before and after photo pairs embedded or linked in your letter packet.

TurnOver LA’s Make Ready includes the 12-point photo report, which you can attach to your deposit accounting. If repairs are also required, add a general maintenance visit for safety and small fixes, then separate cleaning from damage lines in your letter.

How clean is clean: what counts as wear and tear vs dirt?

You restore to move-in cleanliness, not brand-new. Light carpet traffic, minor scuffs, and sun-faded blinds are typically normal wear. Grease-caked oven interiors, heavy soap scum, sticky cabinet shelves, and food spills in a fridge are cleaning items. Do not deduct for repainting every wall if you are just refreshing color for marketing. Do document heavy wall grime and spot clean or repaint specific rooms only as needed. If paint is required, the LA market often charges $300 to $700 per room. Our rates are line-itemed: paint touch-up $200, repainting per room $395, ceilings and baseboard or trim $125. For small drywall damage that is not wear, add small patch and texture at $150 per patch. See examples in Normal wear and tear in California.

Deductible cleaning vs not deductible cleaning at move-out

Document each item with before and after photos and separate cleaning from repairs. If pet odor persists, handle odor treatment as a damage line and see our guide on Pet odor removal.

What will a cleaner do in 3 hours during a turnover?

A typical solo cleaner will finish a studio or small 1BR light refresh in about 3 hours, focusing on kitchen and bath surfaces, appliances, and high-touch points. A true move-out deep clean for a larger or dirtier unit often requires more labor or a two-person team to complete within a 48-hour window. Our Make Ready scope covers appliances in and out as needed, cabinet interiors, descaling, grout edges, fixtures, window sills, baseboards, and floor detailing. For units with junk left behind, add a unit cleanout so the crew is not pausing to move debris. If minor safety items need attention, pair cleaning with a general maintenance visit at $125 to resolve loose outlets, door strikes, or smoke detector batteries same day.

What is the 20 minute rule in cleaning, and does it matter for deposits?

The 20 minute rule is a productivity trick some cleaners use by setting a timer and tackling a task without pause. It is not a legal standard and has nothing to do with what you can deduct. Your deductions must be reasonable and tied to restoring move-in cleanliness, supported by receipts and photos. Whether a crew used zones, timers, or a top-to-bottom method, the only question is whether the cost was necessary and reasonable for the condition. A flat per-unit rate with a defined scope helps you avoid disputes because it frames the charge around outcomes, not how minutes were allocated.

How should you schedule cleaning to reduce vacancy loss in LA?

Vacancy loss in LA runs roughly $80 to $200 per day depending on submarket, so every idle day matters in Koreatown, Westwood, and Downtown LA. Book cleaning to start the morning after keys are returned, and stack light repairs and rekeying on the same day. With TurnOver LA, most turnovers finish within 48 hours, which usually means listing photos on day 3. Add our TLA Launch Pad Media Package at $399 so your listing is live right after cleaning. If you also need rekeying or a smart lock, schedule it in the same window to avoid a second trip. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

Should you rekey or install a smart lock during turnover?

Operationally, rekey at every turnover. Across LA, lock rekey ranges $85 to $150 per cylinder. Our catalog pricing is flat: rekey first lock $100, additional lock rekey $50 per lock, full apartment rekey up to 2 locks $150, or a bundled front plus deadbolt rekey for $110. For access control and fewer key exchanges, consider a smart lock. Market install runs $150 to $300. Our smart lock install is $210, and a door knob or handle replacement is $100 per knob. If you want vendor access without key handoffs, smart locks cut trips and can shave a day off your schedule. See our locks and security service.

How much does it cost to pay someone to clean an apartment?

For general LA context, a studio move-out clean is commonly $120 to $250, a 1BR is $150 to $400, and a 2BR is $200 to $500 depending on condition and add-ons. TurnOver LA pricing is simple and flat with a 48-hour turnaround: Make Ready Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, 3BR or larger $425. If your unit needs a cleanout first, market junk removal adds $150 to $500. Our unit cleanout is Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420, with additional junk load at $200 per load. We price painting and small drywall repairs as separate line items when needed, which keeps your deposit accounting clean and compliant.

Pro tip: use the pre-move-out inspection to lower cleaning disputes

California requires you to offer a pre-move-out inspection so tenants can cure issues before they leave. Use that visit to point out cleaning standards room by room and give a written correction list with photos. Provide links to your published checklist and expectations. If the tenant does not address it, you have a dated record that supports a reasonable deduction. Then attach your vendor invoice and the 12-point photo report to the 21-day letter. This simple workflow resolves most cleaning fee pushback before it starts.

• See also: Apartment turnover cost in Los Angeles and Apartment turnover checklist.

When do local LA rules change the deposit picture?

Cleaning deductibility is set by state law and does not change by city. But two LA specifics matter. First, LA RSO units require payment of accrued interest on security deposits, which you should calculate and include with the 21-day accounting. Second, disclosure and timing expectations are higher in regulated buildings, so keep your pre-inspection and documentation extra tight. State deposit caps under AB 12 now limit most deposits to one month of rent, which increases the need to separate cleaning, damage, and rent balances correctly. If you manage in Santa Monica or West Hollywood, also watch for local disclosure formats, but the core rule remains the same: no nonrefundable cleaning fee.

Ready to book compliant cleaning, photos, and rekey in one slot?

TurnOver LA runs a predictable 48-hour cadence across Make Ready, light repairs, and locks, with clear receipts that map right onto your deposit accounting letter. Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR $425 for Make Ready. Add rekeying or smart lock install as needed, plus listing media at $399 so you can publish immediately. Bundle tasks to avoid extra idle days and cut vacancy loss. Get instant quote in 30 seconds