What should a landlord do before the tenant moves out?
The work begins before keys change hands. Schedule a pre-move-out walkthrough 7-14 days ahead of the lease end so the tenant has a documented chance to fix the items a landlord would otherwise deduct from the deposit. California Civil Code Section 1950.5 grants tenants an initial inspection right, using it protects both sides and avoids most deposit disputes downstream.
Phase 1, Move-out walkthrough (before cleaning)
- Photograph every room before any work begins (date-stamped)
- Note existing damage: carpet stains, wall holes, fixture damage
- Check smoke and CO detectors, replace batteries, test all alarms
- Verify HVAC filter date, replace if older than 90 days
- Confirm all tenant belongings removed (closets, cabinets, storage)
- Check for pest evidence: droppings, webs, roach traces, and lingering pet odor
- Test every window and slider, smooth operation, locks, screens
- Check every water fixture for leaks, drips, slow drains
What does a turnover deep clean actually cover?
Deep cleaning is the phase that protects the most deposit dollars, because it covers the eight spots LA inspectors flag first: oven interior, range hood filter, behind the refrigerator, dishwasher gasket, shower grout, exhaust fan blades, window tracks, and the carpet pad. A surface clean misses every one of them. Plan 6-10 hours for a studio, 8-14 hours for a 1BR, and 12-20 hours for a 2BR.
Phase 2, Deep cleaning (kitchen, bath, living spaces)
Kitchen
- Degrease range hood, filters, and vent screens
- Clean oven interior, racks, and broiler pan
- Pull and clean behind refrigerator; wipe coils
- Sanitize inside of dishwasher, run clean cycle
- Scrub countertops, backsplash, and grout lines
- Clean inside all cabinets and drawers
- Polish stainless appliances (grain direction)
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs
Bathroom
- Scrub tile grout, regrout visible gaps if needed
- Descale shower head, faucets, drain covers
- Clean exhaust fan cover and blades
- Polish mirrors and fixtures streak-free
- Reseal tub/shower caulking if yellowed or cracked
- Replace toilet seat if worn
- Sanitize vanity interior and drawers
Living spaces and bedrooms
- Clean baseboards, crown molding, door frames
- Wipe all light switches and outlet covers
- Clean ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
- Vacuum window tracks, clean screens, wash glass
- Steam clean all carpet, treat any stains
- Mop hardwood/vinyl with floor-appropriate cleaner
- Clean closet interiors, shelves, and rods
- Wipe down HVAC vents and returns
When should painting and wall prep happen in the turnover?
Paint goes on after cleaning, never before. Cleaning kicks dust and kitchen grease into the air, and either contaminant ruins fresh paint adhesion. Identify every scuff, ding, and hole on the move-out walkthrough, patch and sand the day cleaning finishes, prime the repairs, then full or touch-up paint the next day. A scuff repaint across a 1BR typically takes 4-6 hours; a full repaint is 1-2 days.
Phase 3, Painting and wall prep
- Identify all scuff marks, scratches, and holes over 1/4"
- Patch drywall holes with mesh + joint compound
- Sand patches smooth, prime spots
- Match existing wall paint color (flat or eggshell)
- Touch-up or full repaint per wall condition
- Cut clean lines at ceilings and baseboards
- Paint closet interiors if marked
- Allow full cure before next tenant showing
Phase 4, Repairs and hardware
- Replace any broken outlets, switches, or faceplates
- Tighten loose cabinet hinges and drawer pulls
- Replace damaged blinds or shades
- Fix any door latches, strike plates, or handle-sets that don't close cleanly
- Caulk gaps around baseboards if separated from wall
- Replace cracked window glass or screens
- Rekey or replace entry door locks
- Test every lock (deadbolt, knob, window latches)
- Verify all remotes (garage, intercom) are returned and working
What goes in the final walkthrough and photo report?
The final walkthrough turns the work into evidence. Twelve photo checkpoints (kitchen wide, oven interior, behind fridge, each bathroom wide, shower grout, each bedroom wide, closets open, windows, HVAC filter, lock face, smoke detector, exterior entry) plus a one-page itemized invoice form the record a landlord needs if any deduction gets challenged under California Civil Code Section 1950.5.
Phase 5, Final walkthrough + documentation
- Full photo pass: 12+ inspection points (kitchen, bath, every room, closets, patio)
- Verify every lightbulb works
- Test every water tap and toilet flush
- Run HVAC on both heat and cool for 15 minutes
- Confirm all trash and debris removed from property
- Lock and verify all entry points
- Deliver photo report and itemized invoice to landlord
- Mark unit "rent-ready" in system
Copy this checklist for your vendor
This list runs roughly 150 inspection points when you expand every sub-item. You can hand it to any vendor, but coordinating cleaners, painters, and handymen around the LA traffic and scheduling reality usually costs more than booking it as a bundle. TurnOver LA runs this full checklist on every job for a single flat-rate price, Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR+ $425.
Frequently asked questions about apartment turnover checklists
Below are the questions LA landlords ask most often when adopting a turnover checklist. Answers reflect 2026 market timing and the current text of California Civil Code Section 1950.5.
How long does a full apartment turnover checklist take to complete?
A clean 1BR with no major damage takes a coordinated crew 24-48 hours from key handoff to rent-ready. A studio runs 16-24 hours. A 3BR or a unit needing scuff repaint plus carpet treatment runs 3-5 days. Solo DIY usually takes 20-35 working hours spread across 4-7 calendar days. Every additional day costs roughly $80-$200 in vacancy in most LA neighborhoods.
What is the most-missed item on an apartment turnover checklist?
The HVAC filter. It is invisible behind a grille, almost never replaced by tenants, and one of the first things a new tenant smells when the heat or AC kicks on. Range hood filters and the gasket inside the dishwasher are close seconds. These three add up to under thirty dollars in parts but kill more first impressions than any other line item on a typical checklist.
How does an LA make-ready differ from a standard turnover?
A standard turnover is cleaning plus minor repairs to return the unit to its prior condition. A make-ready is the rent-ready version: cleaning, full scuff and touch-up repaint, lock rekey, HVAC filter swap, smoke detector battery test, photo documentation, and a final walkthrough against a written checklist. In LA, make-ready also covers RSO and rent-stabilized paperwork for buildings in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the LA city RSO zone.
When should a landlord order each phase of the turnover?
Order the move-out walkthrough the same day keys are handed back so damage documentation matches the tenant's last day. Schedule deep cleaning to start within 24 hours of move-out. Order paint and repairs the day after cleaning so paint is not contaminated by airborne dust. Final walkthrough and rekey happen together on the last day, immediately before listing photos go live.
How does a turnover checklist protect deposit-deduction claims?
California Civil Code Section 1950.5 requires landlords to itemize every deduction with a specific dollar amount, description, and supporting invoice for repairs over $125. A checklist with date-stamped photos at each phase creates a defensible record: condition at move-out, work performed, and condition at completion. Without that record, a tenant's small-claims challenge usually puts the burden of proof on the landlord and frequently wins.
Does an apartment turnover checklist apply to rent-stabilized units?
Yes, and it matters more there. Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and the LA city RSO program all require itemized invoices and photo evidence for any repair pass-through or capital improvement claim. A 150-point checklist with photo documentation creates the audit trail rent boards expect. Skipping documentation in a rent-stabilized building can permanently disqualify cost recovery for that turnover.