Not all states use "broom clean" as a standard. I have seen state statutes that actually say "broom clean", but like most things in rentals it varies a lot from state to state. My state's statutes are very detailed about exactly how clean the tenant must keep the unit and that it must be returned "in the same condition as it was received".

The law specifically allows for the security deposit to be used for cleaning expenses. Additionally, wear and tear is addressed as "physical damage" only. They are separate in the law and treated separately in practice.

And they truly are not the same thing. Wear and Tear on a stovetop is some minor scratches, not macaroni, crumbs and grease (that's a cleaning issue). Wear and tear on tiles is worn corners, not dirty grout (that's a cleaning issue).

It is not as quick a cleaning job as you suggest because my tenants move into a spotless apartment. I don't expect them to leave it spotless, but I only expect to do detailing. OP has left more than what I would consider "detailing".

I was a tenant for 30 years and had no less than 25 leases and only lost something from my security deposit one time, when I was 17 and it was $25 for not cleaning under the stove (who knew, lol). After that I never once lost even a dollar from a security deposit. But I would've cleaned that apt for 3 hours longer than OP did. The old toothbrush routine on the grout and all, because someone is going to have to do it.

There are no federal laws that apply to security deposits. Not yet anyway.

u/MedLad104 , you should know that this is not as clean as would generally be expected. And, not that it matters, but it would piss me off (because I am the one who is going to scrub your grubbiness off the grout with a toothbrush).

That being said, I am not a very good business person and am really sort of a big weenie about deducting anything from the security deposit, e.g. I'd really rather not. If you'd been a good tenant otherwise I would probably let it slide, because it's not the worst I've seen.

However, if I didn't let it slide and I called cleaners in they would charge me at least $300. Cleaners are expensive in my area and they charge a lot for anything they consider a move-out clean. Best case scenario I do it myself and charge you $50-100. FWIW, either or would be 100% legally acceptable in my state.