Apartment Turnover Cleaning Checklist for Property Managers

For property managers, the speed and quality of turnover cleaning directly affects revenue. An empty unit earns nothing, so getting it clean and rent ready fast matters. A clear checklist and the right equipment make turnovers quick and thorough. Here is a room by room guide.

Whole Unit First Steps

• Remove any trash and items left behind
• Dust from top to bottom, including fans, vents and fixtures
• Clean windows, sills and tracks
• Wipe down all switches, outlets and doors

Kitchen

1. Clean inside and outside of all appliances, including the oven and refrigerator
2. Degrease the range hood and backsplash, where a steam cleaner cuts grease fast
3. Clean and sanitize counters, sink and cabinets inside and out
4. Scrub the floor

Bathrooms

Deep clean and disinfect the toilet, tub, shower and sink. Scrub tile and grout, since turnover is the time to reset it. Clean mirrors and fixtures, and check for any mold around the tub or shower that needs treatment.

Floors and Carpet

Flooring is what tenants notice first on a walkthrough. Vacuum and then extract carpets with a carpet extractor to remove embedded soil and odor from the previous tenant. For pet odor, treat with an enzyme product before extracting. Scrub or mop hard floors so they look fresh. Clean carpet and floors do more to sell a unit than almost anything else.

Speed Without Cutting Corners

The goal is fast and thorough, not fast and sloppy, since a poor turnover leads to complaints and lost rent. Efficient equipment is how you hit both: a carpet extractor that leaves carpet clean and quick drying, a steam cleaner for kitchens and baths, and a strong vacuum. Stock your make ready kit from our carpet extractors and floor equipment.