Quick answer: Move-out cleaning is a full deep clean that brings a vacated unit to rent-ready. It includes kitchens, baths, inside appliances, cabinet interiors, baseboards, walls spot-cleaned, hard floors detailed, and fixtures polished. Across LA, a 1BR move-out runs about $200 to $450 market. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is 1 Bedroom $255 with a 48-hour turnaround.
Move-out cleaning means restoring a just-vacated apartment to a neutral, rent-ready condition. It goes beyond a standard maid visit. Expect interior appliance cleaning, cabinet interiors, grout and caulk attention, baseboards, light switches and outlets wiped, hard floors detailed, and walls spot-cleaned where safe. If you need a firm quote, you can book online and lock a 48-hour slot. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
What is considered move-out cleaning in an LA apartment?
Move-out cleaning is the turnover deep clean performed after keys return and before photos or showings. The target is neutral and sanitary, not luxury detail. Scope typically includes interior and exterior of kitchen appliances, cabinet interiors, counters and splash areas degreased, sinks and fixtures delimed and polished, bathrooms descaled and disinfected, mirrors and glass cleaned, baseboards and door faces wiped, switch plates and outlet covers wiped, and floors vacuumed and mopped, including edges and corners. Walls are spot-cleaned where paint allows. Trash and last items are cleared, then a final visual to catch smudges, drip trails, or missed corners. In LA buildings, we also watch for scuffs on tight hall turns and elevator pads when moving debris so you are not dealing with HOA complaints later.
How much does a move-out clean cost in California and LA?
Across LA, a professional move-out deep clean for a 1BR commonly ranges $200 to $450 depending on soil level, fridge and oven condition, and whether cabinets are included. Studios run closer to $150 to $300, and 2BR units can land $300 to $600 market. TurnOver LA publishes flat Make Ready pricing with a 48-hour turnaround: Studio $225 · 1 Bedroom $255 · 2 Bedroom $335 · 3BR or larger $425. These rates include a 12-point photo report you can use for your files or deposit accounting. Heavier restoration items like painting, drywall, or repairs are separate menu lines so you only pay for what is needed.
| Unit size | Typical LA market range | TurnOver LA Make Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $150 to $300 | Studio $225 |
| 1 Bedroom | $200 to $450 | 1 Bedroom $255 |
| 2 Bedroom | $300 to $600 | 2 Bedroom $335 |
| 3BR or larger | $400 to $800+ | 3BR or larger $425 |
Market figures are general context. The TurnOver LA column is our exact, flat pricing for deep clean plus photo report.
What exactly is included in TurnOver LA’s Make Ready?
Our Make Ready is a deep clean plus documentation. We clean inside and outside of fridge and oven, microwave, range hood, sinks and disposals, counters and backsplash degreased, cabinet interiors vacuumed and wiped, drawers and shelves wiped, bathrooms descaled with fixtures polished, mirrors and glass cleaned, baseboards, doors, and trim wiped, light switch plates and outlet covers cleaned, and hard floors vacuumed and mopped. We spot-clean walls where safe on the paint system. The package includes a 12-point photo report that shows overall cleanliness, inside major appliances, under sinks, tub and surround, toilet base, and floor edges. If the unit needs punch-list repairs, you can stack a handyman visit same window. If you are ready to schedule, lock your slot here. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
Is professional move-out cleaning worth it for landlords and tenants?
For landlords, vacancy loss in LA runs about $80 to $200 per day depending on submarket. A same-window deep clean that is predictable and documented reduces days vacant and disputes. For outgoing tenants, a professional clean can decrease deductions when paired with accurate move-in and move-out documentation. Under California Civil Code §1950.5, deductions must be itemized and reasonable. Cleanliness is often the clearest line item if photos and invoices back it up. A landlord who posts a rent-ready unit in 48 hours typically gains a week of rent compared with a dragged-out two weekend schedule. On balance, it pays for itself in most cases.
What is the 80/20 rule in house cleaning and how does it apply to move-outs?
The 80/20 rule says 80 percent of results come from 20 percent of tasks. For move-outs, that 20 percent is kitchen degreasing, appliance interiors, bathroom scale removal, and floor edges. Those are the surfaces prospects touch and notice. We prioritize these on arrival so marketing photos can be taken even if minor repairs are pending. Then we finish lower-impact details like inside cabinet faces and baseboards. If your budget is tight, anchoring to those high-visibility targets first still yields most of the rent-ready effect. When you do have the budget, the full Make Ready ensures inspection-ready corners and lowers re-clean callbacks.
What LA-specific standards and legal notes affect move-out cleaning?
LA has a large rental stock under the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance. If your unit is RSO, you still must return the home to habitable and sanitary condition for the next tenancy. Deposit deductions must be itemized and supported under California Civil Code §1950.5. As of 2024, AB 12 caps most residential deposits at one month’s rent, which tightens the margin for recapture on heavy cleaning and repairs. The California Tenants Guide and the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide outline expectations around normal wear versus dirt and filth. In practice, that means clean ovens and fridges, descaled tubs, and wiped walls are landlord obligations between leases, but tenant-caused filth can be charged with photos and invoices attached to the 21-day accounting.
- LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance: https://housing.lacity.gov/rental-housing/rent-stabilization-ordinance
- California Civil Code §1950.5: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1950.5
- California Tenants Guide: https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/California-Tenants-Guide.pdf
- AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB12
What extras often pair with move-out cleaning to get rent-ready fast?
Heavy soil or minor damage often needs more than a deep clean. We keep these as separate line items so scope stays clear.
- Paint touch-up only: $200, great for scuffs on corner beads and door frames in tight halls like in Koreatown walk-ups.
- Repainting per room: $395 / room if walls are beyond spot-clean and color-match is not holding.
- Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125 when nicotine residue or cooking film migrated upward.
- Sand + repaint cabinets/shelving: $135 for worn shelves or stained cabinet interiors.
- Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch for doorknob holes or anchor blowouts.
- Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch for larger patches before paint.
- General maintenance / safety visit: $125 to confirm smoke and CO detectors, GFCIs, and door strikes meet baseline.
- Half-day handyman punch list: $230 for a focused run on wobbly hinges, blinds, or caulk.
- Full-day handyman punch list: $425 for larger turns.
- Unit cleanout / junk haul: Studio $200 · 1 Bedroom $310 · 2 Bedroom $420 · 3BR or larger $420 when tenants leave items.
- Additional junk load: $200 / load if the alley or garage is stacked.
- Full apartment rekey (up to 2 locks): $150, or Rekey first lock: $100 plus Additional lock rekey: $50 / lock.
- Door knob / handle replacement: $100 / knob for stripped spindles.
- Smart lock install: $210 if you are upgrading between tenancies.
- TLA Launch Pad Media Package: $399 once the unit is clean, to list faster.
To add any of these, select them with your Make Ready when you book. Links for detail: our Make Ready service at /services/make-ready, handyman options at /services/handyman, junk haul at /services/cleanout, locks and security at /services/locks, and listing photos at /services/listing-media.
How do I schedule and actually pass a 48-hour turnover?
Plan the sequence and lock dates early. Typical order is cleanout first if items remain, then repairs and paint, then Make Ready cleaning, then locks and media. If the unit is not heavy on repairs, book cleaning within 24 hours of key return and schedule rekey plus photos the next morning. We hold a flat 48-hour turnaround on every job with no rush upcharge, which lets you publish the listing quickly. Vacancy loss in Downtown LA or West Hollywood can run close to $150 to $200 per day, so shaving even three days off saves a meaningful chunk. Schedule here and we will stage tasks accordingly. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
What does a landlord move-out cleaning checklist look like?
Use this as an operations baseline. Adjust for finishes and paint systems in your building.
- Entry and common areas: Dust high corners, wipe door faces and hardware, clean switch plates, sweep and mop floors, wipe baseboards and trim.
- Kitchen surfaces: Degrease backsplash and counters, wipe cabinet exteriors, clean sink and faucet, polish steel if present, detail edges.
- Kitchen interiors: Empty and wipe cabinet boxes and drawers, vacuum crumbs and debris, wipe shelf undersides.
- Appliances: Clean fridge inside and out including gasket, oven interior including racks and door glass, microwave and hood filters, run stove-top detailing.
- Bathrooms: Descale tub, shower walls, glass, and fixtures, disinfect toilet including base and hinges, wipe vanity inside, polish mirror, clean exhaust vent cover.
- Bedrooms and living room: Dust and wipe sills and ledges, clean closet shelves and rods, vacuum tracks, wipe doors and baseboards.
- Floors: Vacuum edges and corners, then mop or detail hard floors. Move light appliances and reach under edges safely.
- Walls and trim: Spot-clean marks if the paint system allows. If not, note for touch-up.
- Final details: Check for drips or smudges on glass and metal, remove tape or residue, empty trash completely.
- Documentation: Take wide shots of each room and close-ups of appliances, sinks, floors, and under-sink areas for your deposit accounting file.
For deeper reference on where cleaning ends and repairs begin, see our guide on normal wear and tear at /guides/normal-wear-and-tear-california and the 21-day deposit return timeline at /guides/california-21-day-deposit-return.
Are move-out cleaning services worth it compared to DIY?
If you, your tenant, or your staff can produce the same result within one day and document it, DIY can work. Most owners do not have tools or descalers to reverse months of mineral buildup, grease, or oven carbon. The other factor is time. If your unit in Santa Monica or Pasadena sits while you arrange a second pass, vacancy loss eclipses any savings. A fixed-scope vendor with same-window photos reduces disputes under California Civil Code §1950.5 and speeds the listing. On balance, the math favors a professional team for most turns.
What happens after cleaning if I still smell pets or smoke?
Move-out cleaning gets you 80 percent of the way. Odors from pets or smoke may linger in paint, carpet pads, and HVAC returns. In those cases we usually pair Make Ready with targeted steps. For pet urine in rentals, see /guides/pet-odor-removal-apartment-los-angeles. For smoke odor mitigation, see /guides/how-to-remove-smoke-smell-from-apartment. Often a paint touch-up or a full repaint at $395 / room, plus cabinet or shelving refinishing at $135, closes the gap. Your photo report helps decide the minimum viable scope.
How does move-out cleaning relate to make-ready and turnover rate?
“Make ready” is the industry term for the full rent-ready process. Cleaning is the foundation, then you add repairs, paint, and locks as needed. If you track tenant turnover rate for your portfolio, the turnaround time and cost per turn drive your NOI. See our primer at /guides/what-is-make-ready and our checklist at /guides/apartment-turnover-checklist. For managers, limiting each unit’s down-days with a reliable 48-hour clean and paired services helps hold a healthy turnover rate and smooths leasing calendars.
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