Withholding part of deposit for cleaning in Salt Lake City Utah

[Ryan Mertens]

I have a new prospective tenant, after reviewing my lease, inform me that he believes I am not allowed to withhold ANY of the deposit for cleaning/ or carpet cleaning.

Hes telling me that its wrongful withholding of security deposit. Deposit return is $300 less than full deposit for professional cleaning and deep cleaning of carpets. 

If this is the case, I would then think I could modify the wording in the lease that upon move out tenant must provide a deep cleaning service of property and that I must approve of the professional who is hired.

Any advice?

[William Hochstedler]

I'm not an attorney, but I'd give your tenant the whole section of code pertaining to residential security deposits:

From Utah code:  https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title57/Chapter17/57-17.html

Effective 5/8/2018
57-17-3. Deductions from deposit -- Written itemization -- Time for return.

(1)	Upon termination of a tenancy, the owner or the owner's agent may apply property or money held as a deposit toward the payment of rent, damages to the premises beyond reasonable wear and tear, other costs and fees provided for in the contract, or cleaning of the unit.