Normal wear and tear is NOT marks on the wall, holes from pictures or stains on the carpet or mold in the grout. That is all considered damage. Normal wear being dirty carpet from just walking not spills or stains. Also.. you might want to make sure that your statute you are looking at to prove wear and tear also doesnt say that is doesnt preclude the landlord from using the deposit for such cleaning. If you are breaking a lease that would not be good. If you have lived there a LONG time then you might have some rights as to what they can take out for carpet cleaning and repainting. many places if you have lived in a place for so long...that you wont be deducted for those. But if the lease says so... and you signed it.. you probably will have to pay for it. Since you did agree with it.