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The Ultimate Apartment Unit Turn Checklist (Free Download)

Why use a standardized turn checklist

Every turn that's run from memory is a turn that drifts. One crew skips a step, another adds an unbudgeted one, and your cycle time and quality vary unit to unit. A standardized checklist does three things: it makes the scope explicit, it makes the work verifiable, and it makes the turn measurable — so you can actually compare one turn to the next and find where days are being lost.

Use this as your master list. Adapt the scope to your property standard, but keep the stages and the documentation.

The complete apartment unit turn checklist

Stage 1 — Move-out inspection

• Photograph the unit in its move-out condition (every room).
• Note damage beyond normal wear and tear for deposit reconciliation.
• Check appliances, HVAC, water heater, and smoke/CO detectors for function.
• Test all outlets, switches, and light fixtures.
• Identify repair-vs-replace decisions before scheduling work.

Stage 2 — Scope and materials

• Define the full scope of the turn against your property standard.
• Order and pre-stage materials (flooring, paint, cabinets, fixtures) before work starts.
• Confirm crew schedule for a continuous workflow — no gaps between trades.
• Set the target cycle time for this turn.

Stage 3 — Make-ready (the trades)

Paint - Patch and prep walls, ceilings, and trim. - Prime stains and repairs. - Paint walls, trim, doors, and touch-ups to a uniform finish.

Flooring - Remove old flooring where needed. - Install new flooring; set transitions and thresholds. - Protect finished flooring during remaining work.

Kitchen - Cabinets: refresh, reface, or replace per scope. - Counters and backsplash. - Sink, faucet, and appliance check/replacement.

Bath - Vanity, top, and mirror. - Toilet and fixtures. - Caulk, seal, and water-test.

Stage 4 — Cleaning

• Full unit clean: floors, surfaces, inside cabinets and drawers.
• Appliance detail (oven, fridge, dishwasher).
• Windows, tracks, and blinds.
• Final dust and final mop after all trades are out.

Stage 5 — Punch walk-through

• Inspect every room against the checklist.
• Test every fixture, outlet, faucet, and appliance.
• Touch up paint and caulk as needed.
• Confirm keys, locks, and access devices work.

Stage 6 — Rent-ready handoff and documentation

• Photograph the completed unit (every room) for the record.
• Log the actual cycle time (move-out date to rent-ready date).
• Mark the unit available and release to leasing.
• File before/after photos and the completed checklist.

How to use this to actually cut turn time

The checklist makes quality consistent. To make turns fast, two stages matter most:

1. Stage 2 (scope and materials). Most delay is front-loaded — units sit waiting on materials or a vendor. Pre-staging during the notice period removes days.
2. Continuous workflow in Stage 3. Gaps between trades are where vacancy days hide. One coordinated team eliminates the handoff lag that turns a 4-day job into a 2-week one.

This is the core of a managed turn program: the checklist plus a single accountable crew running it end to end. It's the model behind ONE70 Group's 4-Day Vacant Unit Turn.

Download the free checklist

Grab the printable PDF version of this checklist to hand to your team or post in the unit: Apartment Unit Turn Checklist (PDF). Print it, check it, photograph it with the completed unit, and file it.

Frequently asked questions

What should be on an apartment turn checklist? Six stages: move-out inspection, scope and materials, make-ready trades (paint, flooring, kitchen, bath), cleaning, punch walk-through, and rent-ready handoff with photos.

How long should a unit turn take using this checklist? About four days for a coordinated vacant turn. The checklist keeps quality consistent; speed comes from pre-staging materials and running the trades with no gaps.

Who is responsible for the turn checklist? In an ad-hoc model, the property manager coordinates it. In a managed turn program, one crew owns the checklist and the documentation end to end.