The Make-Ready Checklist: Turn Vacant Units in Days, Not Weeks

Every day a unit sits empty between tenants costs you a day of rent. On a $1,200 unit, a turnover that drags from one week to four weeks costs about $900 in lost rent, before you count utilities and the risk of damage in an empty unit. The fastest-leasing landlords are not lucky. They run the make-ready like a process.

Here is a practical make-ready checklist, and a system for running turnovers so units go back on the market in days instead of weeks.

Before the Tenant Moves Out

The make-ready starts with the move-out notice, not the move-out date.

• Schedule a pre-move-out walkthrough two to three weeks before the tenant leaves. You will see what needs work while there is still time to order parts.
• Start marketing immediately. List the unit as "available soon" with photos from the last turnover.
• Line up your vendors (cleaners, painters, carpet) with tentative dates.
• Order long-lead items such as appliances, blinds and countertops now, not after move-out.

The Make-Ready Checklist

Safety and systems

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries
• Check HVAC operation and replace the filter
• Check the water heater, and look under every sink for leaks
• Test every outlet, switch and GFCI
• Re-key or change the locks

Plumbing

• Run every faucet and shower; check drains for slow flow
• Check toilets for running water and loose bases
• Confirm each fixture has a working shutoff valve
• Look for water stains on ceilings and around tubs

Surfaces and finishes

• Patch and paint walls (keep a standard paint color on file for every property)
• Clean or replace carpet; repair flooring
• Replace damaged blinds, outlet covers and light fixtures
• Fix doors, cabinet hinges and drawer slides

Appliances and cleaning

• Test the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, disposal and microwave
• Deep clean the kitchen, bathrooms and windows
• Clean the dryer vent and check the washer hookups

Final steps

• Take fresh listing photos (bright daylight, every room)
• Do a final walkthrough with the checklist and sign it off
• Update the listing from "available soon" to "available now"

Turn the Checklist Into a System

A checklist on a clipboard helps. A checklist in a system that everyone can see helps more. The landlords who turn units fastest share a few habits:

1. One list of every vacant unit, with its status, so nothing falls through the cracks.
2. A named owner for each make-ready: one vendor or staff member responsible for getting it done.
3. An agreed price before work starts, so there are no surprise invoices.
4. A target ready date that marketing can promise to prospects.

How iRent Handles Make-Readies

iRent has a dedicated Make Readies screen that lists every vacant unit across your portfolio. For each unit you can assign a make-ready vendor and record the agreed price, so you always know who is working on what and what it will cost. Work orders, vendor bills and listing photos all live in the same system, and when the unit is ready, iRent can publish it with photos to your own Facebook Page and Instagram account.