Categories: Property Management • Turnover Services • STR Maintenance
Every day a unit sits vacant costs you money. That's why apartment make ready services aren't just about cleaning: they're about speed, quality, and getting new tenants moved in fast.
Whether you're a Property Manager, an STR Host, or a Homeowner getting a space ready to rent or list, this checklist gives you everything you need to turn units around quickly without cutting corners. No fluff, no filler: just the exact steps that get units rent-ready.
What Is Apartment Make-Ready?
Make-ready (sometimes called "turn" or "turnover") is the process of getting a vacant apartment unit ready for the next tenant. It happens between move-out and move-in, and it includes everything from deep cleaning and repairs to inspections and final touches.
The faster and better you do it, the less money you lose on vacancy.
The Complete Make-Ready Checklist
Kitchen
Appliances:
- Clean inside and outside of refrigerator, including shelves and drawers
- Deep clean oven, stovetop, and range hood (remove grease buildup)
- Wipe down dishwasher interior and exterior
- Check microwave for functionality and cleanliness
- Test all appliances to ensure they're working properly
Surfaces & Fixtures:
- Scrub countertops and backsplash
- Clean and disinfect sink and faucet
- Check for leaks under the sink
- Wipe down cabinet exteriors and interiors
- Tighten loose cabinet handles or hinges
- Clean light fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs
Bathrooms
Deep Cleaning:
- Scrub toilet inside and out (including behind and around base)
- Clean shower, tub, tile, and grout
- Remove soap scum and hard water stains
- Disinfect sink, countertop, and faucet
- Clean mirrors until streak-free
- Wipe down cabinet interiors and exteriors
Maintenance Checks:
- Test toilet for proper flushing and check for leaks
- Ensure shower/tub drains properly
- Check water pressure in sink and shower
- Replace caulking around tub or shower if cracked or moldy
- Tighten loose towel bars or toilet paper holders
Living Areas & Bedrooms
Floors:
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly (including corners and edges)
- Shampoo carpets or hire professional carpet cleaning if needed
- Sweep and mop hard floors
- Check for scratches, stains, or damage
Walls & Ceilings:
- Patch nail holes and scuff marks
- Touch up paint where needed (or repaint entire unit if necessary)
- Remove any stickers, tape residue, or marks
- Check ceiling for water stains or damage
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
Windows & Doors:
- Clean windows inside and out
- Wipe down window sills and tracks
- Test all windows to ensure they open, close, and lock properly
- Clean door frames and baseboards
- Check that all doors open and close smoothly
- Ensure door locks work correctly
HVAC & Air Quality
- Replace air filters
- Clean or dust vents and returns
- Test heating and cooling systems
- Check thermostat functionality
- Address any musty smells or air quality issues
Electrical & Lighting
- Test all light switches and outlets
- Replace burnt-out bulbs
- Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working (replace batteries)
- Check that ceiling fans operate correctly
Final Touches
- Remove all trash and debris
- Ensure no items left behind from previous tenant
- Clean out closets and storage areas
- Wipe down blinds or wash curtains if provided
- Ensure all keys and access cards are accounted for
- Take move-in photos for documentation
Time-Saving Tips for Faster Turnovers
Start Before Move-Out: Schedule your walk-through and create your punch list as soon as you get notice. Don't wait until keys are returned.
Use a System: Train your team to work in the same order every time. Consistency speeds things up and reduces mistakes.
Batch Similar Tasks: Paint all units on the same day. Schedule carpet cleaning for multiple units at once. Efficiency comes from grouping.
Stock Your Supplies: Running to the hardware store mid-job kills productivity. Keep common supplies (paint, patches, cleaning products, light bulbs) on hand.
Work Top to Bottom: Always clean from ceiling to floor. Dust falls down: don't clean the floor first.
Common Make-Ready Mistakes That Cost You Days
Skipping the Pre-Inspection: Walking through before the tenant moves out helps you order parts, schedule contractors, and get ahead of problems.
Underestimating Paint Time: Touch-ups almost always look worse than just repainting the whole wall. Budget time accordingly.
Ignoring Small Repairs: A loose cabinet handle or sticky door might seem minor, but new tenants notice everything. Fix it now or deal with a maintenance request later.
Poor Vendor Coordination: If you need carpet cleaning, painting, and HVAC service, schedule them in the right order. Cleaning before painting wastes time and money.
Not Testing Everything: Don't assume appliances work. Test them. A broken dishwasher discovered on move-in day ruins your timeline and your tenant relationship.
When to Hire Professional Apartment Make Ready Services
Some property managers handle make-ready in-house. Others outsource it. Here's when bringing in pros makes sense:
You're managing multiple turnovers at once. Your staff can't be everywhere.
Units need deep cleaning or specialized work. Grout restoration, carpet extraction, or post-construction cleaning requires equipment and expertise.
You're trying to reduce vacancy days. Professional teams work faster because they do this all day, every day.
You want consistent quality across your portfolio. Trained crews follow checklists and standards: every single time.
If you're managing properties nationwide or across multiple locations, working with a service like MH Janitorial ensures the same high standards no matter where your units are.
Quick Reference: Average Make-Ready Timeline
- Light make-ready (good condition): 1-2 days
- Standard make-ready (normal wear): 3-5 days
- Heavy make-ready (damage or major cleaning): 5-10 days
- Full renovation (paint, flooring, appliances): 2-4 weeks
Your goal is to minimize days without sacrificing quality. A rushed job leads to tenant complaints, bad reviews, and costly callbacks.
The Bottom Line
Apartment make ready services aren't optional: they're the difference between a unit that sits empty for weeks and one that fills fast at full rent.
Use this checklist. Stick to a system. And whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a team, make sure every unit is genuinely move-in ready before you hand over the keys.
Because the fastest way to lose a tenant is to give them a unit that's not actually ready.