Every empty week costs a week of rent. Most small rentals can go from move out to rent ready in five to seven days if the cleaner and trades are booked before the tenant leaves, and the clean comes last.
A seven day plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before move out | Confirm the date in writing, ask for the forwarding address, book the cleaner and any trades for the days after, and agree a walkthrough time |
| Day 1 | Walkthrough with the inspection form and dated photos. Collect every key, fob and remote. Rekey or change the locks |
| Days 2 and 3 | Repairs and paint: patch holes, touch up walls, fix anything broken, replace the AC filter and smoke alarm batteries |
| Day 4 | Turnover clean once the trades have finished, so dust and paint splashes go with it |
| Day 5 | Listing photos in daylight, utilities in your name for showings, update the listing |
| Days 6 and 7 | Showings and applications. Send the deposit notice if you are making a claim, well inside the 30 days |
What slows a turnover down
- Booking trades after move out. Book the cleaner, painter and handyman as soon as you have the move out date
- Cleaning before the trades. Sanding, painting and repairs leave dust. Clean last, or ask for an after renovation clean
- No standard. Give your cleaner a written list of what rent ready means for you, and keep the same cleaner
- Access. Agree a lockbox or key handover so nobody waits on a key
- End of month. Cleaners are busiest in the last week of each month. Book early
The deposit runs alongside
Florida gives you 15 days to return a deposit in full, or 30 days to send written notice of a claim by certified mail. Record the condition on day 1 so any claim is ready to send. See Florida deposit rules for landlords.
Tools
Our free Florida turnover checklist and move out inspection form follow this plan. When you are ready, send a request for a turnover clean and a local cleaner will call you to quote, usually within 30 minutes during opening hours.