Am I obligated to pay a $300 cleaning fee to landlord if my apartment is being returned clean with only minor wear and tear?

Whether or not you are obligated to pay a $300.00 cleaning fee for your former rental upon move out if your unit is being returned clean with minor wear and tear depends upon what your written lease with the landlord states on the subject.

I suggest that you carefully read your written lease with your former landlord as to cleaning fees and expenses in that the written document controls the obligations owed to you by the landlord and vice versa in the absence of conflicting state law.

If the lease specifically states there is a $300.00 cleaning fee regardless of the condition of the unit that you left it in, you will most likely have to pay the fee. I suggest that you call your former landlord to discuss the situation to see if he or she is willing to waive the $300.00 cleaning fee you have written about.