North Dakota allows cleaning or repair deductions only when they were the renter's responsibility and are needed to return the unit to its original state, reasonable wear and tear excepted.
What reasonable wear usually means
Reasonable wear usually means ordinary aging and ordinary use of the rental. Think small scuffs, faded paint, worn traffic paths, and other changes that happen because someone lived there normally.
What may be treated as damage
Damage is different. Large holes, broken fixtures, missing items, pet damage, or cleaning and repair issues caused by negligence may be treated differently if the landlord can support the charge.
How to protect yourself
Keep the move-in condition statement, move-in photos, move-out photos, videos, messages, invoices, and the landlord's itemization. If the landlord is charging for cleaning or repairs, ask what condition the landlord says existed when you took possession and what proof supports the charge.
The North Dakota Recovery System helps you organize wear-and-tear facts, itemization, and deduction evidence.
Get the North Dakota Recovery SystemRelated pages
Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.