deduct landlord time cleaning repairs from security deposit?

[Shelley A.]

Tenants moved out (in UT) after 1.5 years and had professional cleaners come in, but still left the sfh dirtier and in worse condition than when it was rented to them. I spent 30 hours touching up small gouges in the walls, washing the tile floors, repairing leaky faucet, cleaning residue left on walls, light switches, and cupboards, removing trash left behind, cleaning vents, fan blades, replacing light bulbs, repairing blinds, cleaning stains from carpet, fixing broken drawer, washing garage floor, & cleaning windows.  I told them upfront the home needed to be left in the same condition of cleanliness that it was in on the day they started renting. I gave them a room by room cleaning check list of each item that was cleaned before they moved in and instructed them to make sure those same items were cleaned when they moved out.  Told renters at the start of tenancy if they wanted to get their whole security deposit back they should follow the cleaning check list when they moved out.  Can I deduct the 30 hours I spent cleaning and repairing the home from their security deposit? Also they did a few repairs without my knowledge and they look terrible. Can I hire a professional to repair correctly and deduct it from renter's security deposit?

[Thomas S.]

No you can not. Landlord time is counted as zero which is why you should hire a contractor to do all the work if you intend to deduct it from their deposit. No court recognises landlord time as being of any value.

Additionally about 90% of the items listed that you did are normal ware and tear and not deducted from a tenants deposit. Charge them for the professional cleaners.