Quick answer: Yes. Use the free apartment turnover cleaning checklist template below, built for LA deposits and typical unit finishes. It covers room-by-room tasks, supplies, and photo documentation. Across LA, a 1BR deep clean runs about $275 to $450, while TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is $255 with a 48-hour turnaround. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
You can copy the free template below and run it with in-house staff or vendors. It maps to California deposit documentation and the order of operations we use on real LA turns. If you prefer to outsource, our Make Ready service is a flat Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, 3BR or larger $425, all completed in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What is an apartment turnover cleaning checklist?
A turnover cleaning checklist is a step-by-step list of tasks to return a unit to rent-ready condition between tenants. A good checklist is room-specific, includes surface materials, and pairs each task with a verification step such as a photo. In LA, you also want the list to line up with deposit law so your photos and receipts support any deductions under California Civil Code §1950.5 and the 21-day return timeline. The template below covers kitchen, bath, living, bedrooms, closets, hallways, patio or balcony, and entry, plus a supplies and documentation section for consistent results.
What tasks belong on a LA-ready turnover clean?
Here is a copyable, free template you can paste into your SOP. Assign initials and time targets per item. Attach a 12-point photo set before and after.
- Entry and safety: Test smoke and CO alarms, check door closer and peephole, wipe door and jamb, verify keys in lockbox.
- Kitchen prep: Empty and clean cabinets, remove liners, vacuum inside, wipe with mild degreaser, clean pulls and hinges.
- Range and oven: Degrease stovetop and grates, clean control knobs, run oven cleaner as needed, wipe drip pans and backsplash.
- Hood and filter: Degrease exterior, remove filter, soak and rinse, clean light lens.
- Fridge and freezer: Empty, remove shelves and bins, wash with neutral pH cleaner, clean gasket, pull unit, vacuum coils and sweep behind.
- Sink and disposal: Descale faucet aerator, scrub basin, polish faucet, run disposal with ice and lemon, deodorize P-trap exterior.
- Dishwasher: Clean filter, run hot cycle with vinegar, wipe door seals and racks.
- Bathroom: Descale shower glass and tile, scrub grout lines, clean tub, descale faucet and shower head, disinfect toilet including hinges, polish mirror, wipe vanity and drawers, clean fan grille.
- Hard floors: Vacuum edges, damp mop with neutral cleaner, detail corners, remove paint drips and tape residue.
- Carpeted areas if present: Slow vacuum with beater bar, spot treat stains, edge-vac baseboards.
- Windows and sills: Vacuum tracks, clean panes, detail corners, wipe screens.
- Walls and doors: Spot clean marks, switch plates, door faces, and handles. Note any wall repairs.
- Closets and built-ins: Vacuum and wipe shelves, clean rods and tracks.
- Laundry if in-unit: Wipe machines, clean lint trap, run cleaning cycle if needed, clean supply box and hoses exterior.
- Patio or balcony: Sweep, wipe railings, remove cobwebs, clean sliding door track.
- Final touches: Replace burned bulbs, deodorize with ventilation only, set thermostat to 72 cool or 68 heat for showings.
- Photo documentation: 12 photos minimum per unit covering kitchen, bath, floors, walls, windows, entry, and any defects.
What cleaning supplies do I need to clean an apartment?
Use products that work on LA water and common finishes. Stock one caddy per cleaner:
- Neutral pH floor cleaner for wood or LVP
- Degreaser safe for enamel and stainless
- Non-acid bathroom descaler for hard water spots
- Glass cleaner or isopropyl mix for streak-free windows
- Disinfectant for high touch points
- Microfiber towels, scrapers with plastic blades, magic erasers
- Non-scratch pads, grout brush, toothbrush detailers
- Extendable duster, vacuum with crevice and brush tools
- Mop with washable pads, bucket, and shoe covers
Quantities that usually cover a 1BR in Koreatown or Mid-City: 8 to 12 microfiber towels, 2 mop pads, 1 quart each of degreaser and glass cleaner, 16 ounces descaler, and 2 trash contractor bags. Adjust for larger floor plans or heavy cooking units in areas like Glendale or Van Nuys.
How do I use this free template to reduce vacancy days?
Follow a fixed order so trades do not rework each other.
- Day 0 afternoon: Pre-walk, meter reads, document condition, schedule any paint or repairs.
- Day 1 morning: Junk haul if needed, then wall repairs and paint touch-ups or repaint rooms first. Our repainting is $395 per room, ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125 when needed. Touch-up only is $200.
- Day 1 afternoon: Dry time and vent cleaning, start kitchen and bath detailing.
- Day 2 morning: Finish clean, photo set, key handoff or lock rekey if required. Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks is $150.
- Day 2 afternoon: Listing media if you use them. The TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399.
This cadence gives you a consistent 48-hour turn that does not blow your budget on rush fees. It also keeps noise trades ahead of detail cleaning so you do not clean twice. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
How much does apartment turnover cleaning cost in LA?
Across LA, a move-out deep clean for a 1BR often runs $275 to $450, sometimes higher in Santa Monica or Pasadena during peak months. TurnOver LA pricing is flat and listed below with 48-hour turnaround.
- Studio: Market $225 to $325. TurnOver LA Make Ready is $225.
- 1 Bedroom: Market $275 to $450. TurnOver LA Make Ready is $255.
- 2 Bedroom: Market $350 to $600. TurnOver LA Make Ready is $335.
- 3BR or larger: Market $450 to $700. TurnOver LA Make Ready is $425.
Add-ons vary in the market. Here are ours for context:
- Paint touch-up only: Market $150 to $300. TurnOver LA is $200.
- Repainting per room: Market $500 to $900 per room. TurnOver LA is $395 per room.
- Ceilings and baseboard or trim: Market $150 to $250. TurnOver LA is $125.
- Small drywall patch plus texture: Market $175 to $300. TurnOver LA is $150 per patch.
- Unit cleanout or junk haul 1BR: Market $250 to $450. TurnOver LA is $310.
- Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks: Market $150 to $250. TurnOver LA is $150.
Typical vacancy loss in LA runs $80 to $200 per day. A two day, one vendor schedule that pairs our Make Ready with needed painting usually nets out cheaper than piecing three vendors across four days. See our Make Ready details here: /services/make-ready.
What is the 20 10 rule for cleaning, and is it useful for turnovers?
The 20 10 rule means clean for 20 minutes, break for 10 minutes. It helps with focus on long jobs. For apartment turnovers, it is fine for solo cleaners, but many LA turns benefit more from task batching. Example: one person details kitchen and bath while another handles windows and floors, then swap for quality checks. For crews, use a 45 minute work block with a 10 minute reset at trade handoffs. The key is minimizing backtracking, not the exact timer. Tie every block to a checklist line and a photo.
What is a good apartment turnover rate?
If you are asking about tenant turnover, LA buildings vary by assets and rent control. In many RSO properties, average tenancy is longer, and annual turnover can sit in the 20 to 35 percent range. In non-RSO or newer lease-ups, 35 to 55 percent is common. Track your own baseline by submarket and asset class. If you meant cleaning throughput, a two person crew should finish a standard 1BR in 4 to 5 hours if no repaint is needed. For rent stabilization reference, see the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance. If you are unsure what your property falls under, start with your registration certificate.
How should I document cleaning for the security deposit?
California Civil Code §1950.5 requires itemized deductions and receipts within 21 days. Your turnover file should include time-stamped before and after photos, a checklist copy, and vendor invoices labelled by room. Keep SKU or product notes only if needed for unusual stains or odor work. Use our free template to structure photos as a 12-point set. If you need a refresher on the return clock and definitions, see our guides on the 21-day deposit return and normal wear and tear. The state’s DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide is also a good reference.
Free copyable template: apartment turnover cleaning checklist
Paste this into your SOP and print for clipboards.
Header: Property, Unit, Move-out date, Turn start, Turn finish, Initials.
Kitchen:
- Empty and clean cabinets inside and out, remove liners
- Range and oven degreased, oven racks cleaned, knobs detailed
- Hood cleaned, filter soaked and reinstalled
- Fridge and freezer shelves washed, gasket cleaned, pulled and cleaned behind, coils vacuumed
- Sink and faucet descaled, aerator cleaned, disposal flushed
- Dishwasher filter cleaned, hot cycle with vinegar completed
- Countertops and backsplash cleaned, outlets wiped
Bathroom:
- Shower glass descaled, tile scrubbed, grout brushed
- Tub cleaned, faucet and shower head descaled
- Toilet disinfected including hinges and base
- Vanity, drawers, and mirror cleaned, fan grille wiped
Living, bedrooms, closets:
- Windows and tracks cleaned, screens wiped
- Floors vacuumed and mopped, corners detailed
- Walls and doors spot cleaned, switch plates wiped
- Closets and shelves wiped, rods and tracks cleaned
Patio or balcony and entry:
- Sweep and wipe railings, sliding track cleaned
- Entry door, jamb, and peephole cleaned, locks tested
Finals:
- Burned bulbs replaced, HVAC set, odors ventilated only
- 12 photos captured, keys placed in lockbox
If you want the same workflow with pro execution, book our Make Ready. We handle the clean and a 12-point photo report. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
When should I bring in painters or handymen relative to cleaning?
Put paint and drywall ahead of your deep clean so you are not re-cleaning dust and drips. Sequence small drywall patches first, then paint touch-ups or room repaints, then the clean. If your walls have many scuffs or color shifts from picture frames, repainting per room at $395 per room often beats chasing touch-ups. Reserve touch-ups at $200 for true spot work. For cabinet shelf wear or sticky paint, sand and repaint cabinets or shelving is $135 and should happen before you wipe interiors. See our painting and drywall options here: /services/painting-drywall.
What if I uncover odor or smoke issues during cleaning?
Do not mask odors. Identify the source while surfaces are open. For pet urine, plan for enzyme treatment and sometimes seal subfloors or baseboards before repaint. For smoke, clean hard surfaces, run multiple detergent washes on walls, and prime with a stain-blocking primer before paint if needed. We maintain separate guides on pet odor and smoke removal that detail process and dwell times for LA hard water and common finishes. If you need to rekey after an odor or damage case, full apartment rekey up to two locks is $150.
Can I outsource just the cleaning and keep the rest in-house?
Yes. Many owners in Westlake and North Hollywood keep painting in-house and outsource only the clean. Our base Make Ready includes a deep clean plus a 12-point photo report so your office can finalize the deposit accounting internally. If your maintenance tech is booked, we also offer a general maintenance or safety visit for $125 and half-day or full-day handyman punch lists at $230 or $425. Pairing a punch list with Make Ready is often the fastest way to hit a 48-hour release. See our Make Ready service for scope: /services/make-ready.
Wrap-up: Run the template as written, hold photos, and sequence paint before the clean. That is how you keep vacancy days down and deposits compliant. If you want a fixed price and 48-hour delivery, we can take the whole clean off your board. Get instant quote in 30 seconds