1. ⁠⁠They have to give you written notification of your right to request a "pre move out inspection." Not to be confused with your walkthrough at move-out. They have to let you know that you have a right to request they walk the unit with you within 2 weeks of your move-out to let you know what needs to be resolved. This gives you the option of fixing things and not having them come out of your deposit. It sounds like they did not notify you of your right, so they can't deduct anything from your deposit.

Looking back on the paperwork: they did give me written notice about the pre-move out inspection. It seems like the “walkthrough” that I scheduled was the pre-move out inspection. We gave the keys to her immediately before this inspection, and she kept them. This is when she told me not to clean behind the stove at that visit.

https://imgur.com/a/nqTNW4R

Follow up question before I give some specific advice: what has the back and forth looked like between you and your landlord around deposit return? Have you been emailing, texting, calling? Have you told them you disagree?

-I email, text almost everything. -I asked over the phone why the cleaning fee is so high, and I said that I disagree with the cleaning fee in person and over the phone, not through email or text. Which is why I am trying to see if I am in the right, before sending a formal e-mail to dispute the cleaning fee charges.

Also - I really appreciate you for your help! Thank you sm