Legality of Charging for Carpet Cleaning in MD

I have heard that it is legal in MD to require tenants to have carpets professionally steam cleaned before returning the premises. I assume that obviously this must be reflected in their lease at their time of move-in or renewal and that if they do not provide proof of said work then the landlord may automatically claim the cost to do so against the tenant's security deposit.

Can you verify that this is legal? If it is in fact acceptable can you provide for the me the section of MD legal code that would apply? Any and all help is appreciated!!

This is normal all over the country, not just in your state. The unit must be returned in the same, clean condition as you received it less normal wear & tear. Dirt is not wear & tear, it is a failure to clean. A worn pattern or traffic pattern that shows in the nap of a carpet would be wear & tear. Excessive dirt tracked in that you failed to remove or clean is not wear & tear (IMO). If you received the unit with a clean carpet, you should return it in the same condition. If it was not clean when you received it, it should have been noted as such on your move in ispection sheet and you would not be responsible to clean it when you left. Leave the unit asd clean as you recived it and you will have no problems.

This is normal all over the country, not just in your state. The unit must be returned in the same, clean condition as you received it less normal wear & tear. Dirt is not wear & tear, it is a failure to clean. A worn pattern or traffic pattern that shows in the nap of a carpet would be wear & tear. Excessive dirt tracked in that you failed to remove or clean is not wear & tear (IMO). If you received the unit with a clean carpet, you should return it in the same condition. If it was not clean when you received it, it should have been noted as such on your move in ispection sheet and you would not be responsible to clean it when you left. Leave the unit as clean as you recived it and you will have no problems.

[MDlandlord]

I agree with you "Unregistered" completely - however I need to know if I am going to break any laws by requiring all residents (no matter the situation) to have the carpet cleaned before vacating. I know several landlords who already do this so I can assume that it is legal but I prefer to research before I open myself up to problems.

I am glad we think alike!

I don't tell the tenant specifically in the lease or rules that he has to clean the carpets upon vacating, but do list it on the move out letter with other expectations of cleanliness. I give the units to tenants in very clean condition. All a tenant needs do on move in is to SOMETIMES wipe out the cabinets. Everything else has been done for him. (I don't always get to wiping out the cabinets.) But the carpets have been cleaned, all the appliances, the bathroom, all floors and walls, etc. I tell tenants at move in I expect to get the unit back in the same condition. I don't require receipts for their carpet cleaning at move out. But if they still look dirty after they leave, I call my carpet guy to come in and clean them and charge the deposit. Just take photos of the dirty carpets after they leave. Normally there is no middle road. Either the carpets look clean, or they have obvious stains and spots.