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Under Wis Admin Code ATCP 134.06(3)(c) landlords cannot withhold from a tenant's security deposit for normal "wear & tear" even if included in a nonstandard rental provision. This means that a landlord cannot automatically deduct the cost of routine carpet cleaning from a tenant's security deposit unless the cleaning is necessary as a result of damage, waste or neglect and is, therefore, something more than normal wear & tear.
It is acceptable to indicate in the rental agreement that the tenant is responsible for providing and paying for routine carpet cleaning. See DOJ letter to DATCP dated 7/31/13. But, if the tenant fails to do so, a landlord still cannot deduct the cost of routine carpet cleaning from the tenant's security deposit.
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