Quick answer: Across LA, a 1BR turnover clean usually runs $250 to $500 on the open market. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is $255 for a 1BR, with a 48-hour turnaround and a 12-point photo report. Copy the free checklist template below to standardize every unit, reduce rework, and document charges for the deposit itemization.
You asked for a usable apartment turnover cleaning checklist template. Below is a copyable, room-by-room list tailored to LA multifamily buildings, plus timing, pricing, and documentation tips. It is built to fit deposit rules and real-world building constraints in neighborhoods like Koreatown, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What goes on an apartment turnover cleaning checklist in LA?
Start with the end in mind. A turnover checklist should align with your deposit itemization, your building rules, and your leasing photos. In LA, that usually means neutral pH products on natural floors, hard water descaling in kitchens and baths, and a final photo pass that shows clean, empty, and functional.
Core sections to include:
- Entry, doors, hardware, thresholds, peephole, and mailbox
- Living areas and dining, dust to floor detail, outlets, and switch plates
- Kitchen, appliances, cabinets, counters, sink, disposal, and vent hood baffles
- Bathrooms, fixtures, caulk touch targets, grout edges, mirrors, and fan cover
- Bedrooms, closets, shelving, blinds, and rod brackets
- Windows, tracks, screens, sills, and balcony or patio sweep and rail wipe
- Floors, vacuum, mop, and baseboards with corner detail
- Trash out and recycle, bulky items route planned per building
- Final QA, water shutoff checks if needed, and photos of every room
Pair this with maintenance and paint steps so cleaners are not working under wet walls or open drywall.
Free apartment turnover cleaning checklist template you can copy
Below is a compact template you can paste into your PMS, a Google Doc, or your make-ready board. It is scoped for a standard LA 1BR. Expand counts for 2BR or 3BR. Keep it simple and repeatable.
| Zone | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Entry | Wipe door, knob, peephole, hinges. Clean threshold. Dust and wipe baseboards. Test door closer and latch. |
| Living | High dust, fans, vents. Wipe sills and ledges. Clean switches and plates. Spot clean walls if paint allows. Vacuum and mop floors. |
| Kitchen | Degrease counters and backsplash. Clean sink and faucet, descale aerator. Inside and outside cabinets. Appliance exteriors and interiors, including oven racks and fridge shelves. Hood baffles run and clean. |
| Bath | Descale shower glass and fixtures. Clean tub, tiles, and grout edges. Disinfect toilet, base, and shutoff. Polish mirror. Wipe vanity inside and out. Clean fan cover. |
| Bedrooms | Dust, sills, blinds. Closet shelf and rod wipe. Door and hardware wipe. Floors detailed. |
| Windows | Clean glass, tracks, and screens. Document damaged screens. |
| Floors | Vacuum, edge, and mop. Detail corners and under appliances if movable. |
| Exterior | Sweep balcony or patio. Wipe rails. Remove debris. |
| Final QA | Run water and check for leaks. Test disposal. Replace burned bulbs. Photograph every room, appliances open and closed. |
Include notes fields for paint, drywall, or handyman follow-ups.
How long should a turnover clean take by unit size?
Time drives vacancy cost in LA, so staff to finish within 48 hours from keys in to keys back. For a clean move-out with light soils, use these planning targets for the cleaning phase only:
- Studio: 3 to 4 labor hours
- 1BR: 4 to 6 labor hours
- 2BR: 6 to 8 labor hours
- 3BR: 8 to 12 labor hours
Heavier soil, smoke, pets, or mineral buildup pushes you to the high side. If you are coordinating painters or maintenance, reserve the last 60 to 90 minutes for a final dust and floor pass after trades exit. In tight buildings like Park La Brea, add buffer for elevator and dock scheduling.
What does apartment turnover cleaning cost in Los Angeles vs TurnOver LA?
Across LA, open-market turnover cleanings often price per unit size and soil level. Typical ranges we see in Koreatown and West Hollywood are:
- Studio: $200 to $350
- 1BR: $250 to $500
- 2BR: $350 to $650
- 3BR: $450 to $900
TurnOver LA pricing is flat and published, with a 48-hour turnaround and a 12-point photo report:
| Unit size | Typical LA market | TurnOver LA Make Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $200 to $350 | Studio $225 |
| 1BR | $250 to $500 | 1 Bedroom $255 |
| 2BR | $350 to $650 | 2 Bedroom $335 |
| 3BR+ | $450 to $900 | 3BR or larger $425 |
At $80 to $200 per day in vacancy loss across LA submarkets, shaving even one day beats haggling over $50 on cleaning. If you want predictable outcomes, book the Make Ready. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Should you DIY or hire a make-ready crew for turnovers?
DIY works if you have on-site staff, predictable volume, and slack time. Most small portfolios lose more to vacancy than they save on labor, especially when a 2BR slips into a third day. Here is a quick comparison you can share with owners.
| Factor | DIY approach | TurnOver LA Make Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Cost control | Variable labor and supply runs | Published rates per size, no surprises |
| Time to finish | Depends on staff availability | 48-hour turnaround standard |
| Quality risk | Missed tasks show up on move-in day | 12-point photo report for documentation |
| Coordination | You schedule cleaners and trades | We stage around paint and repairs |
| Deposit support | Inconsistent photos | Consistent before and after sets |
If you keep DIY, at least adopt the template here and a photo checklist. If you outsource, our Make Ready service packages the deep clean and photo documentation.
What about junk, bulky items, and furniture removal in LA buildings?
Bulky item pickup in LA can be free for some single-family homes, but multi-tenant buildings and HOAs often restrict curbside piles and require dock scheduling. You also need a plan for bedframes, mattresses, or couches left behind in high-turn buildings like those in North Hollywood.
Market pricing for private haulers typically runs $150 to $300 for a single large item and $300 to $600 for a small unit cleanout, depending on stairs and access. TurnOver LA rates are flat for unit cleanouts and include labor and haul away: Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420, with additional junk load at $200 per load. See our unit cleanout and junk haul details.
If your lease allows a tenant charge-back for abandonment, pair your disposal receipt with photos from the final walkthrough and the itemized ledger.
How does your checklist support deposit deductions and RSO compliance?
Your checklist is a documentation tool. It should capture condition and cleaning scope in a way that supports the deposit itemization under California Civil Code §1950.5. That code controls allowable deductions and timelines. In LA RSO buildings, keep your records tidy because disputes are common when long-term tenancies end.
- Know the 21-day rule. See our guide on the California 21-day deposit return.
- Separate wear and tear from damage. We break down the difference here: normal wear and tear in California.
- Keep a dated photo set. Our Make Ready includes a 12-point photo report.
- For rent-stabilized units, review the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance if you run into access, notice, or extended repairs.
- When in doubt, confirm deposit rules in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide.
What order of operations prevents rework on turnover day?
Sequence matters more than elbow grease. Use this order to avoid cleaning the same surface twice.
- Key pickup and initial photo set, note damages and abandoned items.
- Bulky item removal and full trash out, bag and stage by disposal route.
- Maintenance and safety visit for leaks, bulbs, and quick wins.
- Painting touch-ups or room repaints as scoped.
- Kitchen and bath deep clean with descaling and degreasing.
- Window and track cleaning, then blinds and sills.
- Final dust, vacuum, and damp mop, baseboards last.
- QA pass and 12-point photo report, lock rekey if required.
This order keeps wet paint off fresh floors and prevents dust from re-settling after maintenance.
How do you calculate tenant turnover rate for your portfolio?
Turnover rate helps you budget make-readies and vacancy. Use a simple formula each quarter or year.
Turnover rate = Number of move-outs during period divided by average occupied units, then multiply by 100.
Example: You run 60 units across Echo Park and Silver Lake. You had 9 move-outs last quarter and averaged 58 occupied units. 9 divided by 58 equals 0.155, about 15.5 percent turnover. If your average vacancy loss is $120 per day and make-ready cycle averages 4 days, you can model your annual exposure and staffing.
When should you schedule cleaners relative to painters and maintenance?
The cleaner should not be your dust collector. Schedule in this order for a fast finish:
- Day 0 afternoon, maintenance and safety visit, $125 if you use our general maintenance visit to triage leaks, hardware, and lights.
- Painting after maintenance. Touch-up is $200, repainting is $395 per room, with ceilings and baseboard or trim at $125. See painting and drywall options.
- Cleaning after paint fully dries. Use the checklist template to standardize.
- Final walkthrough and photo report, then rekey as needed. A full apartment rekey up to 2 locks is $150.
This sequence fits a 48-hour turnaround in most buildings if access and docks are set. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What else belongs in your turnover packet besides the checklist?
A clean unit is only half the job. Your packet should make leasing faster and disputes rarer.
- Before and after photos by room and appliance
- Receipts for cleaning, paint, and disposal
- Itemized ledger with line items tied to photos
- Move-in ready confirmation and key log
- Optional listing media if your vacancy is sticky
If your marketing needs a bump, our TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399 and built for small units that compete hard in Downtown LA and Pasadena. It pairs well with a rock-solid cleaning checklist so your photos tell the truth on move-in.
Wrap-up and a printable plan you can keep
Standardize the work, then speed wins. Use the template above, keep your before and after photos, and schedule maintenance and paint ahead of cleaners. Across LA, market cleaning on a 1BR can be $250 to $500. TurnOver LA is $255 for a 1BR Make Ready with a 48-hour turnaround and photo report. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
For more depth on scope and budgeting, see our broader apartment turnover checklist and the LA-focused move-out cleaning overview.