Va, USA. Excessive cleaning fee, holding security deposit
Location: Virginia, USA. My landlord is holding a portion of my security deposit for cleaning fees, and for replacing stove pans, around $200. When I reached out initially asking why I was charged a cleaning fee, they said it was because of some adhesives in the shower (I sent them pictures showing it was there when I moved in) and because the stove was dirty. I wiped everything down and cleaned it thoroughly (as stated in the move out agreement), but there was some staining in the drip pans from regular use over 3 years of residency. Nothing was excessively dirty, and there is nothing in the lease or move out agreement noting cleaning fees or specific replacement fees for drip pans, while there are specific charges for say replacing the air filter. They sent me images of a stove "proving" why I am being charged, I honestly don't think they're even pictures from my unit, but even those don't seem to suggest anything beyond normal wear and tear. I can't imagine any reasonable reason why I'm being charged nearly $200 for that. They sent me the cleaning invoice I requested, and it just says "standard cleaning". I feel like that also reflects nothing was beyond normal wear any tear. They rejected my disputes, how might this go over in small claims court? Any experience or advice? They’ve refused to return the remaining amount of my security deposit, could I sue for double damage in this case? TIA
Posted Aug 29, 2026, 2:59 AM UTC