General information, not legal advice. This template is a starting point. Laws differ by state and city, so have a licensed attorney review your final document before you use it.
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The short version
- Every vacant day costs a day of rent, so turnover is a schedule problem as much as a repair problem.
- Work in order: repairs, then paint, then floors, then cleaning last.
- Order long lead items on day one.
- Record paint colors and finishes once so every turn is faster.
What a make-ready checklist is
Make-ready is the work that turns a vacated unit into one that is ready for the next tenant. A make-ready checklist puts that work in a sensible order, assigns each task, tracks the cost and makes sure nothing that affects safety or first impressions gets missed. Done well, it shortens vacancy and keeps standards consistent from unit to unit.
When to use it
On the day a tenant moves out, right after the move-out inspection, and through to the day the unit is listed or the next tenant moves in.
How to use the checklist
- Fill in the dates, the budget and the coordinator.
- Scope the work at the move-out inspection and order long lead items.
- Book vendors in order and open a work order for each job.
- Work through repairs, paint and floors, then safety checks and the final clean.
- Do a final walk, close every work order and take listing photos.
- Fill in the cost tracker and the finish record.
What to include
- A scope with estimates.
- Vendors and dates in the right order.
- Repairs, paint and floors.
- Safety and code checks.
- Final clean.
- Ready to rent steps: photos, listing and the move-in packet.
- Costs, and which ones go on the deposit statement.
Tips
- Keep a standard finish list: paint colors, flooring, fixtures and appliance models.
- Stock common parts, like filters, bulbs and smoke alarms.
- Pre-market the unit with a move-in date as soon as you know the scope.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning before painting or flooring is done.
- Waiting on appliances that could have been ordered on day one.
- Skipping the rekey.
- Not tracking cost per turn, which hides where money goes.
Turnovers in TenantLoop
In TenantLoop, failed items from a move-out inspection can become work orders, each with its vendor, status and bill together. When the unit is ready, publish it to your own listings page and a standard listing feed so every inquiry lands with your prospects.
What is in the template
A turnover plan from move-out to the next move-in: inspection and scope, ordering vendors, repairs, paint, cleaning, safety checks, final walk and listing photos, with a schedule and cost tracker.
- Day 0 to 1: Inspect and scope
- Day 1 to 2: Schedule vendors
- Repairs
- Paint and floors
- Safety and code
- Final clean
- Ready to rent
- Paint and finish record
- Cost tracker
Read the whole make-ready turnover checklist template
Get the file
Free, no sign up. Fill it in by hand or edit the Word file.
General template, not legal advice. Have an attorney in your state review before use.
Before you send it.
How long should a turnover take?
A light turn with cleaning and touch ups can take a few days. Turns with flooring, appliances or major repairs take longer. Planning the scope on move-out day and booking vendors in order is the biggest time saver.
Can I charge the tenant for turnover costs?
Only for damage beyond normal wear and tear and cleaning beyond move-in condition, documented in the deposit statement. Routine turnover work is an owner cost.
Should I rekey every time?
Yes. Rekeying or changing locks between tenants is cheap and protects both you and the new tenant. Some states require it.