I’m a tenant in CA. Cleaning fee refund question

[Ernie Benavidez]

So I was in a month to month duplex house. I was there over 3 years. The landlord asked us to move out because they want their home back for use and gave us the normal 60day notice. It’s been about 45days since. The landlord is telling me my cleaning fee ($400)is non-refundable, even though I’m still in the process of cleaning the place. Is this illegal? Thank you guys!

I aspire to be a landlord soon!

-Ernie

[Anthony Hurlburt]

Check you lease. If it is a fee it is non-refundable. If it is a deposit then it is refundable subject to how clean the unit is when you leave.