Tenants can only be charged for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinarily, costs for routine cleaning and maintenance (painting, carpet cleaning, etc) may not be deducted from the security deposit. However, if the tenant leaves the property so filthy that unusual or extraordinary measures are necessary to clean or restore the premises, the costs of such cleaning may be deducted from the security deposit. Routine cleaning is considered the landlords cost of doing business! https://www.ncrec.gov/Brochures/Print/TenantPrint.pdf