[Zeke]

Can he keep your deposit?

Well, it's standard procedure to not refund. That's landlords for you. Nowadays, LL's figure the deposit is partial payment for getting the property ready to lease again plus the downtime while getting a new tenant in.

Fair? In most cases, no, in my experience. I have rehab'd many in my day. Usually the carpet is so cheap it wouldn't clean and the paint is so cheap it won't wash.

In reality, if you rent and are there for a year or more, expect the LL to try to keep the cleaning deposit. Fight it if you wish, it only costs your time.

I'm not saying it's right.