Turning over an apartment between tenants involves more than a deep clean. Walls, fixtures, hardware and small repairs all get more wear than they might first appear to have — and catching issues before a new tenant moves in is usually easier and cheaper than addressing them afterward.
Start with the walls
Nail holes, scuffs, and small drywall damage from furniture, wall-mounted TVs or shelving are some of the most common turnover items. Before repainting, damaged areas typically need to be patched and sanded smooth — painting over damaged drywall usually looks worse, not better, once the paint dries.
Check fixtures and hardware
Faucets, showerheads, toilet hardware and cabinet hardware see constant use over a lease term. A quick check for leaks, loose handles, or worn finishes can catch small issues before they become bigger ones — and a fixture swap is often quicker and less disruptive than most owners expect.
Look at doors and cabinets
Doors that stick, cabinets with loose hinges, and worn hardware are easy for a tenant to overlook day-to-day but stand out during a walkthrough. These are typically quick repairs when addressed as part of a turnover rather than as a separate service call later.
Don't forget caulking
Caulking around sinks, tubs and showers tends to wear, discolor or crack over the course of a lease. Refreshed caulking is a small detail that makes a bathroom look considerably more move-in ready.
Plan it as one project, not five
Most turnovers involve a mix of the items above rather than just one. Describing the full scope — walls, paint, fixtures, hardware, caulking — in a single request makes it easier to coordinate the work as one project instead of several separate calls.