VA renter

I am renting a condo in VA from a landlord, and my lease was for 4 months. He is asking me to steam clean the carpets before I move out because they were steam cleaned before and under the lease I have a duty to return the condo in the same condition it was in.

First, our lease was date for the 1st of the month, but we didn't pick up the keys until the 6th. He cleaned the carpets after May 1st, but before we actually received keys. Does this affect whether we have to steam clean the carpet?

Second, the lease states that the "Lessee agrees to pay for any and all repairs that shall be necessary to put the Premises in the same condition as when he entered therein." Is steaming a carpet really count as a repair? I have put no stains in the carpet and the carpet is in the exact same shape as it was when I arrived.

I know this seems minor, but the LL has been giving me hassle since the beginning. I don't want to start a fight over this because he still has to assess my security deposit, but I feel he is trying to get me to clean the carpet for him as he did not alot himself any time before the tenant moves in. Thanks for your help in advance.

Did he clean the carpets and pay for it before you moved in? Yes, he did. Then you should clean them before you leave, to leave the unit in the same clean condition as when you recieved it.

If you had a problem with waiting until the 6th to move in, you should have taken it up with him then (asked for prorated rent for that month, or a credit on the next month's rent). It's kind of late to raise this issue 4 months later.